Western Europe, northeastern part of the Italian peninsula.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

61.2 sq km (23.6 sq miles).

30,780 (official estimate 2007).

503 per sq km.

San Marino. Population: 5,000 (UN estimate 2003).

San Marino is a tiny state bordered by the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna to the north and east and Marche to the south and west. The landscape is for the most part green with rolling hills, dominated by the three peaks of Mount Titano. Within San Marino lie the capital of the same name and eight villages.

Republic since 1599.

Two Capitani Regenti are elected every six months. Massimo Cenci and Oscar Mina, since 2008.

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

2001's election returned a centre-right coalition of Christian Democrats and Socialists.

Italian.

Roman Catholic.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Normal European courtesies and codes of conduct should be observed.