San Marino is a microstate in the Apennine Mountains, enclosed by Italy. It is one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics, traditionally founded around 301 CE by Saint Marinus. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its written constitution dates to 1600, one of the oldest still in effect.
With a population of about 33,977 in 2024, according to World Bank data, San Marino is a useful case for studying how very small states govern. The country combines direct democratic traditions with modern institutions. Policy areas of interest include public finance at a small scale, relations with larger neighbours and the EU, and the management of tourism and services.
Comparable microstate material covers microstate economics in Liechtenstein. Governance models more broadly are treated in studies of e-governance in Estonia and Eastern European politics, and a guide to the local university sector is the Sammarinese higher learning guide.

