This week, we have…

• A fun fact inspired by Globle: Capitals

• Answers to last week's games

• Reader survey

San Marino wants to be left alone (but not forgotten)

Blink and you might miss it: nestled within the rolling hills of central Italy is a country smaller than many cities, yet it holds an astonishing record. San Marino, the answer for Globle: Capitals on November 3, is recognized as the world's oldest surviving republic and it's been self-governing since the year 301 CE!

San Marino's origin story is almost the stuff of legend. According to tradition, the country was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus who fled Roman persecution and established a monastic community on Monte Titano. Over the centuries, this tiny enclave managed to maintain its independence through diplomacy, strategic alliances, and a bit of luck, even as empires and kingdoms rose and fell all around it. Remarkably, San Marino adopted the "Statutes of 1600," a series of six books that form one of the world's oldest written constitutions still in effect, though it has been supplemented over time, including the addition of a Declaration of Rights in 1974.

Despite being entirely surrounded by Italy and having an area of just 61 square kilometres, San Marino has preserved its autonomy through turbulent times. Even Napoleon respected its sovereignty after gaining the friendship of one of its regents in 1797. Today, the country maintains its unique system of dual leadership: two "Captains Regent" serve together as heads of state for six-month terms, a tradition dating back to 1243. Next time you’re struggling to remember the name of this tiny country in Globle or Capitals, remember: this tiny nation has outlasted mighty empires!

Learn more: Travel + Leisure

Trivia

Answers to last week's games

Monday, November 3 to Sunday, November 9.

Linxicon

The following are the shortest paths from last week:

• #630 enterprise → business → clean → wet

• #631 educational → school → afternoon → tonight

• #632 install → installed → working → during

• #633 fault → hate → racism → diversity

• #634 initially → sequential → pattern

• #635 rise → rising → startled → surprised

• #636 themselves → workers → construction → build

• #637 Play now!

Elemingle

• #286 Tin

• #287 Thallium

• #288 Sulfur

• #289 Protactinium

• #290 Gallium

• #291 Nitrogen

• #292 Chromium

• #293 Play now!

Forgeous

Play Forgeous for Nov 10