The Republic seen from the top of Mount Titano. Credit

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is the third smallest nation in Europe (after Monaco and Vatican City). Located in southern Europe, it is an enclave surrounded by Italy, and is one of the European microstates. San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world still in existence today. It was founded in A.D. 301 by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian.

San Marino is the fifth least-populous sovereign country in the world (larger only than the Vatican City, Tuvalu, Nauru, and Palau). It is the smallest member of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) unofficial political-geographical grouping of the United Nations. It is also the smallest non-English speaking member of the United Nations in terms of population. It is the smallest country or other jurisdiction participating in European football competitions.