MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the French franc as the official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. €1 = $1.25475 (or $1 = €0.79697) as of 2005. Monégasque coins also circulate; denominations are 10, 20, and 50 centimes, and 1, 2, 5, 10, and 50 francs. Fr1 = $0.184 (or $1 = Fr5.4) as of March 2006.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard.

HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; St. Dévôte, 27 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; National Day, 19 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Easter Monday, Ascension, Pentecost Monday, and Fête-Dieu.

TIME: 1 pm = noon GMT.

1 Location and Size

The second-smallest country in both Europe and the world (after the Vatican), Monaco is situated in the southeastern part of the French administrative district of Alpes-Maritimes. Its area is 1.95 square kilometers (1 square mile), about three times the size of the mall in Washington, D.C. Monaco shares a border with France with a boundary length of 5.4 kilometers (3.4 miles). The country has a Mediterranean coastline of 4.1 kilometers (2.5 miles). The capital city, Monaco-Ville, is located near the southern coast of the nation.

2 Topography

There are four main areas in Monaco, which are determined more by economic activities than by geographic conditions: La Condamine, the business district around the port; Monte Carlo, the site of the famous casino, which is at a higher elevation; Monaco-Ville, on a rocky promontory about 60 meters (200 feet) above sea level; and

GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Geographic Features

Area: 1.95 sq km (1 sq mi)

Size ranking: 193 of 194

Highest elevation: 140 meters (459 feet) at Mont Agel

Lowest elevation: Sea level at the Mediterranean Sea

Land Use*

Arable land: 0%

Permanent crops: 0%

Other: 100%

Weather**

Average annual precipitation: 77 centimeters (30.3 inches)

Average temperature in January: 8°c (46°f)

Average temperature in July: 26°c (79°f)

* Arable Land: Land used for temporary crops, like meadows for mowing or pasture, gardens, and greenhouses.

Permanent crops: Land cultivated with crops that occupy its use for long periods, such as cocoa, coffee, rubber, fruit and nut orchards, and vineyards.

Other: Any land not specified, including built-on areas, roads, and barren land.

** The measurements for precipitation and average temperatures were taken at weather stations closest to the country’s largest city.

Precipitation and average temperature can vary significantly within a country, due to factors such as latitude, altitude, coastal proximity, and wind patterns.

Fontvieille, a 22-hectare (54-acre) industrial area that was reclaimed by landfill in the 1960s and 1970s. The highest point in the country is Exotic Garden on Mont Agel, with an elevation of 140 meters (459 feet). The lowest point is at sea level (Mediterranean Sea).

3 Climate

Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely below freezing and a January average of about 8°c (46°f). Summer heat is tempered by sea breezes; the average maximum in July and August is 26°c (79°f). Rainfall averages about 77 centimeters (30.3 inches) a year and about 300 days a year have no precipitation whatsoever.

4 Plants and Animals

Palms, aloes, carobs, tamarisks, mimosas, and other Mediterranean trees, shrubs, and flowers are abundant. Monaco does not have any distinctive native animals.

5 Environment

Monaco is noted for its beautiful natural scenery and mild, sunny climate. The principality has sponsored numerous marine conservation efforts. Its own environment is entirely urban. According to UN reports, Monaco’s environmental circumstances are very good.

Monaco is known for its activity in the field of marine sciences. The Oceanographic Museum, formerly directed by Jacques Cousteau, is renowned for its work and exhibits on marine life.

As of 2006, threatened species included 26 species of marine life. Threatened species included the great white shark, the blue shark, striped dolphin, albacore tuna, and swordfish.

6 Population

The resident population was estimated at 33,000 in 2005. The estimated population for 2025 is 44,000. The residential population density in 2005 was estimated at 16,923 per square kilometer (43,830 per square mile), making Monaco the most densely populated country in the world. It is believed that 100% of the population lives in urban areas.

7 Migration

There is a long waiting list for Monégasque citizenship. A 1992 law allows Monégasque women to confer citizenship on their children. In 2000, more than two-thirds of the residents were non-citizens. In 2005, the estimated net migration rate was 7.71 migrants per 1,000 population.

8 Ethnic Groups

The native Monégasques are said to be of Rhaetian stock. They make up only 16% of the population. The foreign residents are a highly cosmopolitan group, including more than 47% French, 16% Italians, and 21% others.

9 Languages

French is the official language. English and Italian also are widely spoken. Many inhabitants speak the Monégasque language, which has its origins in the Genoese dialect of Italian and the Provençal language of southern France.

10 Religions

About 90% of the population adhere to Roman Catholicism, which is the official state religion. There are five Catholic churches and one cathedral in the principality, two Protestant churches, and one Jewish synagogue. Though there are a small number of Muslims, there are no mosques.

Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the constitution.

11 Transportation

In 2002 there were 50 kilometers (31 miles) of paved roadways. In 1995 there were 17,000 passenger cars and 4,000 commercial vehicles. There is frequent bus service. The southeastern network of the French national railroad system serves Monaco with about 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) of track. Monaco is only 10 kilometers (6 miles)

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Name: Prince Albert II

Position: Chief of State of a constitutional monarchy

Took Office: 6 April 2005

Birthplace: Palais Princier, Monaco

Birthdate: 14 March 1958

Education: Degree in political science from Amherst College in Massachusetts

Spouse: Never married

Children: Two children, Jazmin and Eric

Of interest: Because Prince Albert has never married the Monaco constitution was changed to allow a female to succeed him in order to continue the family line.

from the international airport at Nice, France. In 2001 (the latest year for which data was available), 77,800 passengers were carried on domestic and international airline flights. The harbor provides access by sea.

12 History

The ruling family of Monaco, the house of Grimaldi, secured control late in the 13th century. The principality was founded in 1338 by Charles I. The first Monégasque coins were minted in the 16th century.

France annexed the principality in 1793, but independence was reestablished in 1814. In 1848, the towns of Roquebrune and Menton, which constituted the easternmost part of Monaco, successfully rebelled and established themselves as a republic and, in 1861, became part of France.

The economic development of Monaco proceeded rapidly with the opening of the railroad in 1868 and of the gambling casino. Since that time, the principality has become world famous as a tourist and recreation center.

Monaco has been a constitutional monarchy since the early 20th century. In 1956, Prince Rainier III married the popular American actress Grace Kelly, with whom he had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stephanie. Princess Grace was killed in a car accident in 1982.

Monaco joined the United Nations on 28 May 1993. That year, Prince Rainier ordered an investigation of Monaco?s principal state-owned company. There had been complaints about threats used to recover loans from gamblers at the casinos.

Prince Rainier died in early 2005 and in July 2005, Prince Albert II assumed the throne. The event was overshadowed by his admission of having an illegitimate child. His illegitimate son will not be able to inherit the throne, although Prince Albert II acknowledged paternity and assumed his financial responsibilities.

13 Government

Monaco is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the hereditary princes or princesses of the Grimaldi line. Originally, the constitution stated that if the reigning prince were to die without leaving a male heir, Monaco would be incorporated into France. In 2002, because Prince Rainier III?s son, Albert, was a 43-year-old bachelor without male heirs, Prince Rainier changed Monaco?s constitution to allow one of his two daughters, Caroline or Stephanie, to inherit the throne and preserve the Grimaldi dynasty in the event of Albert?s death without heirs.

There is a single-chamber national council of 24 members elected by direct popular vote every five years; it shares legislative functions with the prince. Until 2003, suffrage was exercised only by true-born Monégasques of 21 and over. Naturalized Monégasques were granted voting rights in 2003 and the voting age was reduced to 18.

Municipal government is conducted by an elected council (Conseil Communal) of 15 members, headed by a mayor. The three communes that made up Monaco before 1917—Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, and Monte Carlo—each had its own mayor from 1911 to 1917. Since that date, they have formed a single commune, together with Fontvieille.

14 Political Parties

Monaco does not formally have political parties, but candidates compete on the basis of various lists. The major political groups have been the National and Democratic Union (Union Nationale et Démocratique—UND); Communist Action (Action Communale—AC); Évolution Communale (EC); and the Movement of Democratic Union (MUD).

Elections held on 9 February 2003 were the first under a new electoral law establishing 24 seats in the National Council. A unified opposition list, the Union for Monaco, composed of the National Union for the Future of Monaco and the Rally for the Monégasque Family, took 58.5% of the vote and 21 seats, to the UND?s 41.5% and 3 seats.

15 Judicial System

A justice of the peace tries petty cases. Other courts are the court of first instance, the court of appeal, the court of revision, and the criminal court. The highest judicial authority is vested in the supreme court.

16 Armed Forces

France assumed responsibility for the defense of Monaco as part of the Versailles Treaty in 1919. There is no army in the principality. A private guard protects the royal family and a police force of 390 ensures public safety.

17 Economy

For its livelihood, Monaco depends chiefly on income from tourism, real estate, financial services, and light industry. A substantial part of the principality?s revenue from tourist sources comes from the operations of Sea-Bathing Company (Société des Bains de Mer—SBM), of which the government owns 69%. The SBM operates the gambling casino at Monte Carlo as well as several luxury hotels and motion-picture theaters. Monaco is known as a tax haven.

18 Income

In 2005, the gross domestic product (GDP) was $870 million, or about $27,000 per person. The average inflation rate in 2002 was 1.9%.

19 Industry

The tourist industry dominates Monaco?s economic life, but small-scale industries produce a variety of items for domestic use and for export. About 700 small businesses make pottery and glass objects, paper and cards, jewelry, perfumes, dolls, precision instruments, plastics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, machine tools, watches, leather items, and radio parts. There are flour mills, dairies, and chocolate and candy plants, as well as textile mills and a small shipyard.

20 Labor

There is virtually no unemployment in Monaco, as the Prince guarantees all his subjects lifetime employment. The major employer of the working

population is the SBM (Société des Bains de Mer); others work in industry or in service establishments. As of 1994 (the latest year for which data was available), the labor force was approximately 30,000. About two-thirds of all employees commute from France and Italy. Less than 10% of the labor force was unionized in 2005. The minimum working age is 16, although special restrictions apply until the age of 18.

21 Agriculture

There is no major agricultural activity in Monaco.

22 Domesticated Animals

There is a small dairy industry serving local needs.

23 Fishing

Some fishing is carried on to meet domestic requirements. In 2003, the total catch was 3,000 tons. Monaco actively engages in marine science research and in marine life preservation.

24 Forestry

There are no major forests in Monaco.

25 Mining

There is no commercial mining.

26 Foreign Trade

Foreign trade is included in the statistics for France, with which Monaco has a customs union.

27 Energy and Power

Power is supplied by France. In 1991, standby electrical capacity totaled 10,000 kilowatts.

28 Social Development

Social security benefits are financed by both employers and employees. Benefits include old age, survivorship, and disability pensions, sickness and maternity benefits, reimbursement for medical expenses, workers? compensation, unemployment benefits, family allowances, and education grants. There is equal legal treatment of men and women who are born in Monaco.

Selected Social Indicators

The statistics below are the most recent estimates available as of 2006. For comparison purposes, data for the United States and averages for low-income countries and high-income countries are also given. About 15% of the world?s 6.5 billion people live in high-income countries, while 37% live in low-income countries.

Indicator	Monaco	Low-income countries	High-income countries	United States
sources: World Bank. World Development Indicators. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2006; Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2006; World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C.
Per capita gross national income (GNI)*	$27,000	$2,258	$31,009	$39,820
Population growth rate	0.4%	2%	0.8%	1.2%
People per square kilometer of land	16,923	80	30	32
Life expectancy in years: male	76	58	76	75
female	84	60	82	80
Number of physicians per 1,000 people	5.8	0.4	3.7	2.3
Number of pupils per teacher (primary school)	n.a.	43	16	15
Literacy rate (15 years and older)	99%	65%	>95%	99%
Television sets per 1,000 people	n.a.	84	735	938
Internet users per 1,000 people	n.a.	28	538	630
Energy consumed per capita (kg of oil equivalent)	n.a.	501	5,410	7,843
CO² emissions per capita (metric tons)	n.a.	0.85	12.97	19.92
* The GNI is the total of all goods and services produced by the residents of a country in a year. The per capita GNI is calculated by dividing a country?s
GNI by its population and adjusting for relative purchasing power.
n.a.: data not available >: greater than <: less than

Women are well represented in the professions, but underrepresented in business.

29 Health

In 2004, Monaco had the third most physicians per person in the world. There were an estimated 586 physicians per 100,000 people in the country, as well as 1,430 nurses, 107 dentists, and 192 pharmacists per 100,000 people. The estimated life expectancy in 2005 was 79.57 years.

30 Housing

In 2000, there were about 18,396 housing units in the nation. In recent years, the government has stressed the construction of luxury housing.

31 Education

Education is compulsory from ages 6 to 16. Attendance for school-age children is at 90%. In 2001, there were about 2,000 students enrolled in primary schools and 3,000 enrolled in secondary schools.

The University of Southern Europe was renamed the International University of Monaco in 2002. The university offers degrees in business and business administration. Students may travel abroad for higher education.

32 Media

Postal and telegraphic services are operated by France, but Monaco issues its own postage stamps. As of 2002, there were 33,700 mainline telephones and 19,300 mobile phones in use nationwide. As of 1999, Monaco had 3 AM and 4 FM radio stations and 5 television stations. In 1997, there were 34,000 radios and 25,000 televisions throughout the country.

Two dailies in Nice, Nice-Matin and L?Espoir, publish special editions for Monaco. International publications are readily available. The Journal de Monaco, an official publication, appears once a week, and the Tribune de Monaco is published biweekly.

33 Tourism and Recreation

Monaco has been famous for attracting wealthy and titled tourists since its gambling casino was established at Monte Carlo in 1856. In 2005, gambling accounted for almost 25% of the annual revenue.

Among the many attractions are the Louis II Stadium, several museums and gardens, and the beach. The Monte Carlo opera house has been the site of many world-premiere performances. The principality has excellent sports facilities. The Monte Carlo Rally, a world-famous driving championship, ends with a finish line in Monaco.

In 2003, approximately 235,000 visitors arrived in Monaco. The principality had 2,191 hotel rooms in 2002 with an overall occupancy rate of 63%.

34 Famous Monegasques

Prince Albert (1848–1922), who reigned from 1889 to 1922, was famous as an oceanographer. In 1956, his great-grandson, Rainier III (1923– 2005), married Grace Patricia Kelly (1929– 1982), a U.S. film actress, whose death on 14 September 1982 following an automobile accident was mourned throughout Monaco. Their son, Albert (b.1958), became Prince Albert II upon his father?s death; Princess Caroline (b.1957) and Princess Stephanie (b.1965) are their daughters. Olivier Beretta (b.1969) is a famous racecar driver from Monaco.