The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is a country situated in the Apennine Mountains. It is a landlocked enclave, completely surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over 61 km2 (24 sq mi) with an estimated population of almost 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino. One of the European microstates along with Liechtenstein, the Vatican, Monaco, Andorra, and Malta, San Marino has the smallest population of all the members of the Council of Europe.

San Marino Flag

In the surrounding countryside they harvest grain and wine and they breed goats but there is no doubt that touristism is their main source of income. The country is situated very close to the welknown city of Rimini and the coast of adriater sea.

There are numerous excellent roads leading to the Republic of San Marino. The most important is the motor highway which connects Rimini with Borgo Maggiore on the same layout as the old consular road of 1870.

Basilica of Saint Marino (left) and church of Saint Peter (right) in San Marino City

A favourite day-trip destination – in 2006, about 2.1 million visitors made the very steep climb to the historic centre – it’s largely given over to tourism. Hundreds of souvenir stalls line the not-unattractive streets selling everything from samurai swords to San Marino stamps and locally minted coins, and restaurants do a brisk trade feeding the visiting hordes. However, if you catch it at a quiet time (ie during the week, preferably in winter) the old town is pleasant enough and the views are spectacular.

Mount Titano

Guaita

Aerial tramway to Monte Titano

Borgo Maggiore, one of San Marino's tourist attractions

Map of San Marino

Location of San Marino in Southern Europe

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Originally posted 2010-12-05 21:54:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter