Page "History of San Marino" Paragraph 1

San Marino is the only surviving Italian microstate.

Like Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco, it appears an anachronism, a reminder of the times when Europe — particularly Germany, Italy and the Pyrenees — was made up of tiny political units, sometimes extending no further than a cannon could fire from a city ’ s walls.

Along with Vatican City and Lesotho it is one of the three states surrounded by a single other country.

San Marino proudly asserts its independence and various treaties of friendship have been signed with Italy since the latter ’ s unification.