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San Marino -

San Marino is one of the world's smallest countries (one-tenth the size of New York City). 

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Location - San Marino is a mere three hours' drive from Florence. 

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Population - It has a total population of 33,400, and is the fifth-smallest country on the planet.

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Riches - San Marino is also one of the richest countries in the world.

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Economy - This country has a highly stable economy.

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Employment - And one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Europe.

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GDP - In 2017, it reported a GDP per capita of US$61,169.

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Debt and budget - There is no national debt and San Marino has a budget surplus.

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Tourism - The tiny nation relies heavily on the tourism industry, which dominates the economy.

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Tourism - In 2017, this miniature country welcomed more than two tourists for each of its 33,000 residents. 

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Tourism - That is a total of 78,000 visitors—a lot for such a small country!

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Vehicles - This is the only country with more cars than people.

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Military - San Marino has one of the smallest military forces in the world. However, Italy is responsible for the national defense of the tiny country.

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Nickname - Lonely Planet refers to this country as the "land of clifftop castles" and "vertiginous views."

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Monte Titano - Monte Titano, the highest peak in San Marino, at 739 m (2,425 ft) above sea level, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Monte Titano - The mountain has three peaks and each one has one of The Three Towers of San Marino on it.

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Guaita - Guaita is the most famous of the peaks and offers tremendous views of the city from up above.

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San Marino Historic Center - The historic site is also on the UNESCO Heritage List.

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Sites - Other main attractions include: tower De La Fratta, Palazzo Pubblico, Basilica di San Marino (pictured), and Chiesa di San Francesco.

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Museums - There is also a vast number of museums to visit such as: the State Museum, Sammarinese Museum of Ancient Arms, Museum of Curiosities, Museo delle Cere, and the Torture Museum of San Marino, among others.

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Travel - For history or nature lovers, this is certainly a bucket-list destination.

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Nature - San Marino is a relaxing oasis of greenery, unspoiled land, and rolling hills.

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Wine - It has a small wine industry offering delicious wines.

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Alternative - It is a fantastic alternative to the tourist-filled, and often crowded Tuscan countryside.

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Cuisine - While the cuisine in this country is similar to that of Emilia-Romagna, it is famous for one dessert: Torta Tre Monti ("Cake of the Three Mountains" or "Cake of the Three Towers").

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Cuisine - This is a chocolate cake of layered wafers, and of course, takes its name from the Three Towers of San Marino.

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Cuisine - The piadina, a thin Italian flatbread, often with some sort of filling, is a popular dish in San Marino as well.

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Fun fact - The 16th president of the USA, Abraham Lincoln, was an honorary citizen of this country.

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Happy traveling -

Inspired to visit Europe's third-smallest country? Well, what are you waiting for?!

See also: Go away! Countries that want to reduce the number of tourists

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