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Monaco | |
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Travel Information Best Places to Visit Other Countries |
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Monaco Travel Guide:Facts on Monaco |
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| History Geography People Economy Communications Transportation | ||
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Map of Monaco
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| History | Top of Page | |
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Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been ruled by the House of
Grimaldi since 1297, except when under French control from 1789 to 1814.
Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Treaty
of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognized by the Franco-Monegasque
Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a
constitution was promulgated in 1911. In July 1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty, formally noted in the Treaty of Versailles, established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political, military, and economic interests. A new constitution, proclaimed in 1962, abolished capital punishment, provided for female suffrage, and established a Supreme Court to guarantee fundamental liberties. In 1993, Monaco became an official member of the United Nations with full voting rights. It joined the Council of Europe in 2004. Three months after the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on April 6, Prince Albert II formally acceded to the throne on July 12, 2005. |
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| Geography | Top of Page | |
| 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 | |
| Area |
Total: 1.95 sq km Water: 0 sq km Land: 1.95 sq km |
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| 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 |
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| Coastline | 4.1 km | |
| 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 |
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| Natural Resources | None | |
| Geography Note | Second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban | |
| Natural hazards | None | |
| People | Top of Page | |
| Population | 32,543 (July 2006 est.) | |
| Age Structure |
0-14 years: 15.2% (male 2,539/female 2,417) 15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,959/female 10,266) 65 years and over: 22.6% (male 3,015/female 4,347) (2006 est.) |
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| Nationality |
Noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) Adjective: Monegasque or Monacan |
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| Ethnic Groups | French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% | |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 90% | |
| Language | Roman Catholic 90% | |
| Literacy |
Definition: NA Total population: 99% |
| Government | Top of Page | |
| Country Name |
Conventional long form: Principality of Monaco Conventional short form: Monaco Local short form: Monaco Local long form: Principaute de Monaco |
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| Government Type | Constitutional monarchy | |
| Capital | Monaco | |
| Administrative Divisions | None; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo | |
| Independence | 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi) | |
| 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 | Top of Page | |
| Overview |
Monaco, located on the Mediterranean coast, has an economy primarily
geared toward finance, commerce, and tourism. Low taxes have drawn many
foreign companies to Monaco; the companies' production accounts for
around 50% of the €593 million annual government income (2002). The
enterprises pay a 33.33% tax only if more than 25% of their revenue is
generated abroad. Ever since Monaco's famed casino opened in 1856, the
tourism industry has been booming. It currently accounts for close to
25% of the annual revenue. Customs, postal services, telecommunications, and banking in Monaco are governed by an economic and customs union with France. The official currency is the euro. Though official economic statistics are not published, 2006 estimates placed the gross domestic product at $976.3 million and the per capita income at $30,000. Monaco does not publish the figures for unemployment, but in 2005 the rate was estimated to be at 0%. Monaco is noted for its activity in the field of marine sciences. Its Oceanographic Museum, formerly directed by Jacques Cousteau, is one of the most renowned institutions of its kind in the world. Monaco imports and exports products and services from all over the world. There is no commercial agriculture in Monaco. |
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| Currency | Euro | |
| Currency Code | EUR | |
| Communications | Top of Page | |
| Telephone System | General assessment: modern automatic telephone system | |
| Internet Country Code | .mc | |
| Transportation | Top of Page | |
| Railways |
Total: 1.7 km Standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge (2002) |
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| Roadways |
Total: 50 km Paved: 50 km Unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.) |
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| Waterways | None | |
| Ports and Harbors | Monaco | |
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