San Marino (officially the Republic of San Marino) is the third smallest state in Europe, and claims to be the world's oldest republic. It is a mountainous microstate surrounded by north-central Italy. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy, which surrounds it. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbour.