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[[File:Flag of San Marino.jpg|thumb|200px|Flag of San Marino]]

[[File:Flag of San Marino.jpg|thumb|200px|Flag of San Marino]]

'''San Marino''' is a tiny [[Europe]]an country. Entirely surrounded by [[Italy]], it is the oldest [[republic]] in the world. It is also the third smallest country in Europe. It was founded in 301 AD by a [[Saint Marinus]], a [[Christian]] who was seeking religious freedom from the [[Roman Empire]].

'''San Marino''' is a tiny [[Europe]]an country. Entirely surrounded by [[Italy]], it is the oldest [[republic]] in the world. It is also the third smallest country in Europe. It was founded in 301 CE by a [[Saint Marinus]], a [[Christian]] who was seeking religious freedom from the [[Roman Empire]].

==Geography==

==Geography==

==History==

==History==

According to tradition, San Marino was founded in AD 301 when a Christian stonemason named Marinus the Dalmatian fled to the island of Arbe to escape the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian. Marinus hid on the peak of Mount Titano and founded a small community of people following their Christian beliefs. It is certain that the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times, although evidence of existence on Mount Titano only dates back to the Middle Ages. In memory of the stonecutter, the land was renamed "Land of San Marino" and was finally changed to its present-day name, "Republic of San Marino."  

According to tradition, San Marino was founded in CE 301 when a Christian stonemason named Marinus the Dalmatian fled to the island of Arbe to escape the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian. Marinus hid on the peak of Mount Titano and founded a small community of people following their Christian beliefs. It is certain that the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times, although evidence of existence on Mount Titano only dates back to the Middle Ages. In memory of the stonecutter, the land was renamed "Land of San Marino" and was finally changed to its present-day name, "Republic of San Marino."  

[[File:San Marino Palazzo Pubblico.jpg|thumb|Palazzo Pubblico.]]

[[File:San Marino Palazzo Pubblico.jpg|thumb|Palazzo Pubblico.]]

The original government structure was composed of a self-governed assembly known as the Arengo, which consisted of the heads of each family. In 1243, the positions of Captains Regent (Capitani Reggenti) were established to be the joint heads of state.  

The original government structure was composed of a self-governed assembly known as the Arengo, which consisted of the heads of each family. In 1243, the positions of Captains Regent (Capitani Reggenti) were established to be the joint heads of state.