San Marino History

San Marino is the only Italian city state that has survived. There is a lot of history behind San Marino. Similar to places like Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco - San Marino is an anachronism, it brings you back to the times where Europe was made up of very small political units. One would have to comment that it is indeed very surprising that San Marino has survived as a republic. Apart from the Vatican City it's the only one that is completely surrounded by one other country. There have been a number of different treaties of friendship that have been signed with Italy since the latter's unification, but San Marino remains independent wherever possible.

San Marino has been a full member of the Council of Europe since 1988, and chaired the organisation during the first half of 1990.

The major political parties in San Marino are very similar to that of Italy, with he Progressive Democrats (ex-communists), Socialists, Christian Democrats, Social Democrats and the leftist Partito Socialista Unitario. 2001's election returned a centre-right coalition of Christian Democrats and Socialists.