| Vexillology of San Marino |
 |
|
 |
 |
| Proportion: 3:4 Adopted: 6 April 1862 First Flown: Unknown Use: (FOTW) |
 |
| Sammarese Coat-of-Arms (FOTW) |
| San Marino |
| Long Form of Country Name: The Republic of San Marino (Repubblica di San Marino) Short Form of Country Name: San Marino Form of State: Repubic consisting of 9 municipalities (or Castelli ) headed by co-captains regent chosen by the Grand and General Council from among its own members for 6-month terms. Form of Government: Parliamentary democracy vested in a unicameral legislature (the Grand and General Council) consisting of 60 representatives popularly elected to 5-year terms. Executive powers are vested in the Congress of State consisting of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs (who serves as Prime Minister) and 10 other secretaries of state. The Congress of State is elected by the Grand and General Council from among its own members.for 5-year terms. Independence: 3 September 301 AD from the Roman Empire Capital: San Marino Major National Groups: Italian |
 |
| Provincial Flags of San Marino's Castilli |
 |
| Italy |
| Italy |
| Serravalle |
| Domagnano |
| Acqua- viva |
| Borgo Maggiore |
| Faetano |
| San Marino |
| Fiorentino |
| Monte- giardino |
| Chiesa-nouva |
| Alternative Civil Flag |
| Civil Ensign? |
| San Marino is purportedly the oldest republic on earth, having been founded by Christiians seeking refuge from persecution in the 4th century. (Some dispute this claim because the enclave's soverieignty has not been continuous since the date of its founding in 301.) Its constiitution is undoubtedly one of the oldest democratic documents dating from the 17th century. San Marino's flag is simple, a bi-color of white on blue centered with the state's coat-of-arms. It was adopted in 1862 by decree of the Supreme Council (now the Grand and General Council). The coat-of-arms dates from the 14th century and represents the Three Citadels of San Marino and the three summits of Monte Titano, the highest point in the republic. |
| The alternative civil flag is sometimes (but rarely) used by private citizens but not the state. Likewise, the civil ensign is used by private citizens, but some vexillologists have doubts of its existence. It was displayed in a 1917 edition of the National Geographic during war time when identification of ships from neutral countries was vitally important. It is likely that use of the ensign was completely abandoned afterwards, since San Marino is landlocked and few Sammarese own or operate ships requiring identification as Sammarese vessels. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Return ot the European Vexillogram Directory © 2007 SouthBear The page was created on 28 April 2007 Date of Last Revision: 29 April 2007 |
 |