An Introduction to San Marino
The Republic of 'an Marino - its official title is sometimes prefixed by the words Most Serene - is the least populous of European states, but is the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world. A monastic community was founded there on 3 September 301 by stonecutter Marinus of Rab and its maintained its independence ever since. See full country profile.Latest Research News from Italy
1 current Italian job:
GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary republic
AREA: 61.2 sq km
POPULATION: 31,887 (July 2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Official Language: Italian
Some business and general info
The Market Research Industry
Trade and Industry in San Marino
On two wheels, San Marino has seen great success in the person of Manuel Poggiali, motorcycle World Champion at 125cc in 2001 and 250cc in 2003. Its football team is famous for a goal scored after only 8.3 seconds against England in a World Cup qualifier on 17 November 1993 - still the fastest goal in World Cup competition. The team went on to lose 7-1 but has since achieved draws against Turkey and Latvia and in 2004 beat Liechtenstein 1-0. The team are not, of course, professional footballers, and crowds are not huge: travelling supporters can outnumber the Sammarinese support - in the February 2007 home game against the Republic of Ireland, for example, 2,500 of the 3,294 watching were Irish supporters.
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The Republic of 'an Marino - its official title is sometimes prefixed by the words Most Serene - is the least populous of European states, but is the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world. A monastic community was founded there on 3 September 301 by stonecutter Marinus of Rab and its maintained its independence ever since.
It also has the world's oldest constitution still in effect (1600 AD), had the world's first democratically elected communist government, (1945 - 1957), and vies with Nauru for the title of the world's smallest republic.San Marino - a member of the UN since 1992 but not of the EU - is wealthy, with a high GDP per capita, no national debt and a budget surplus. Nevertheless its official status as an associated state of indebted Italy means that in addition to taking responsibility for its defence, Italy gives San Marino an annual subsidy.
GDP: $1.17 bn (2010 est.); $35,928 per capita
Religions 97% of the population profess the Catholic faith
Currency: Euro
Telephone Code: + 378
MR Association(s):
(for Italy:) Associazione Italiana per gli Studi di Marketing (AISM)
MR industry info to appear shortly
Source: ESOMAR
San Marino is not an EU member but by arrangement with the Council of the EU uses the Euro as currency - its currency was previously pegged to the Italian lira. The tiny state has a high standard of living and is reliant on tourism and baking, although it also produces electronics and ceramics; furniture and fabrics, paints, tiles and wine. Low taxes have traditionally brought in revenue but the country is rapidly trying to tighten up regulation of its financial institutions having fallen foul of larger states, and partly in consequence finds itself with a deep recession, and a growing budget deficit and debt.
Exports totalled $2.46 bn in 2010 85% to Italy; imports of $2.13 bn, among which consumer goods and food are prominent, also come mostly from Italy.
Email me:
laurence@mrweb.com
