Europe’s third smallest country is located in Italy and called San Marino! San Marino is in Emilia Romagna, a wealthy region in northern Italy extending from the Apennine Mountains to the Po River. It covers a land area of about 24 sq mi. San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world!
The population of San Marino is approximately 34,001 as of 2021. Residents speak Italian, eat Italian food, and have the physical features of Italians. Therefore, it is common to wonder why San Marino is an independent country from Italy. The Republic of San Marino is the world’s oldest republic. The Republic of San Marino can be traced back to the 4th century CE. During this time, St. Marinus and Christians settled there to flee persecution. San Marino has not been conquered by any country historically. One major factor contributing to this is its mountain fortresses.
