The territory of San Marino (61 sq. km/24 sq. m) is mostly hilly country with Mount Titano in the center. It was founded, according to tradition in 301 A.D. Legend has it that a master stone-cutter, Marinus, left is native island and came to Mount Titano to establish a small community of Christians anxious to escape the persecutions of the emperor Diocletian.
San Marino, with a population of only 30,000 and a per capita income of $46,900, providing a basic service like education for free to its citizens would be a natural precedent.
The people of San Marino takes pride on their heritage and roots which can be traced back to Ancient Rome. In fact, their form of government that has 2 heads of state ruling at the same time is a remnant of an old Roman Empire practice.