San Marino's flag on the left - the 3rd smallest country in Europe (5th smallest in the world). San Marino claims to be the world's oldest republic, founded in 301 AD by Christian stonemason Marinus. However, many believe this legend could have been falsified to keep the Bishop of Rimini from claiming the territory and that it was likely founded in the 5th or 6th century. For long periods of time it was an automous part of other states governed by the Arengo council (local family heads). The first statutes are from 1263, the first constitution from 1263 and the current republic from 1866....