Member States · Monaco Fact Sheet

Background

Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.

Geography

Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy.
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references: Europe

Area

Total: 1.95 sq km
Land: 1.95 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
Area comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: Total: 4.4 km. Border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm.
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m. Highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none

Land use

Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 100% (urban area)

People

Population: 31,693 (July 2000 est.).
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15% (male 2,449; female 2,336).
15-64 years: 62% (male 9,723; female 10,074).
65 years and over: 23% (male 2,907; female 4,204) (2000 est.). Population growth rate: 0.48% (2000 est.). Birth rate: 9.94 births/1,000 population (2000 est.). Death rate: 13.06 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.). Net migration rate: 7.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.).

Nationality

Noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
Adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque.

Country name

Conventional long form: Principality of Monaco
Conventional short form: Monaco
Local long form: Principaute de Monaco
Local short form: Monaco
Data code: MN
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Monaco
Independence: 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)
National holiday: National Day, 19 November

Flag description

Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red.

Economy

Overview: Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough.

Labor force:

30,540 (January 1994)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1998)
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes

Communications

Telephones: 31,027 (1995)
Mobile cellular: 2,560 (1994)
Telephone system: automatic telephone system. Domestic: NA. International: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system.
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM NA, short-wave 8 (1998)
Radios: 34,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997)
Televisions: 25,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (1999)

Transportation

Railways: Total: 1.7 km. Standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways: Total: 50 km. Paved: 50 km. Unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.).
Ports and harbors: Monaco
Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
Heliports: 1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice, France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille).

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