#repubblica di san marino

At the fifth smallest country in the world, San Marino also has the distinction of being one of only three nations completely surrounded by another nation (Vatican City and Lesotho being the other two) and of being the only nation on earth where cars outnumber people.  Named after the Third Century Roman/Croatian stonemason Saint Marinus, San Marino also likes to think of itself as being the oldest extant sovereign state as well as the oldest constitutional republic, in addition to having the earliest written governing documents still in effect (the Constitution of San Marino, established in the 16th Century).  Packs a lot of punch, does our Most Serene Republic.

Stamp details:
Stamp on top:
Issued on: August 1, 1877
From: San Marino, Republic of San Marino
MC #2

Stamps on bottom:
Issued on: November 11, 2000
From: San Marino, Republic of San Marino
MC #1925-1928

Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: Yes (since March 2, 1992)
Official name: Most Serene Republic of San Marino; Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino
Member of the Universal Postal Union: Yes (since July 1, 1915)