> There are three countries in the world that are completely surrounded by oneother country. Vatican City and Lesotho are two, but what's the third?And the answer: San Marino. Photo courtesy: © dmitr86/stock.adobe.comWith a population of around 33,000people, San Marino is a tiny country in central Italy. In 1797, when Napoleoninvaded Italy, he respected the independence of San Marino and even offered toextend its territory. To this day, it remains an independent micro-state.San Marino is the fifth-smallest country in the world, the oldest sovereigncountry in the world, home to the oldest constitution in the world and, finally,is the smallest republic in the world (impressive for such a tiny country, no?).At just 24 square miles, San Marino is sometimes called the "most serenerepublic" with its central limestone mass of Mount Titano located in the ItalianApennine mountains.San Marino was founded by a Christian escaping religious persecution in theRoman Empire. Soon after founder St. Marinus escaped to the mountains, otherpersecuted Christians followed suit, and a fort was established. It is said thata Roman noblewoman named Lady Felicia gifted the land to St. Marinus to thankSt. Marinus for curing her son of illness. On his deathbed, St. Marinus delivered his final words: "I leave you free fromboth men." Taken to mean the pope and the emperor, the people of San Marino usedhis words as the driving force for their sustained sovereignty, and soon afterdrafted their constitution (sometime in the 16th century). Today, it’s theoldest in the world. About half of San Marino’s economy is based on tourism. Thanks to its gorgeoushillside, attractive churches and thousands of years of history, there’s plentyto see. Learn more about San Marino below.