World Facts Index
The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The
current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a
principality was established in 1338. 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 of Monaco
|
Location:
|
Western Europe, bordering
the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border
with Italy |
|
Coordinates:
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43 44 N, 7 24 E |
|
Area:
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total: 1.95 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1.95 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
|
about three times the size
of The Mall in Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
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total: 4.4 km
border countries: France 4.4 km |
|
Coastline:
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4.1 km |
|
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12
NM |
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Climate:
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Mediterranean with mild,
wet winters and hot, dry summers |
|
Terrain:
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hilly, rugged, rocky |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m |
|
Natural resources:
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none |
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Geography - note:
|
second-smallest independent
state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban
|
Population of Monaco
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Population:
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32,796 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
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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) |
|
Median age:
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45.4 years |
|
Growth rate:
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0.4% |
|
Infant mortality:
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5.35 deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 79.69 years
male: 75.85 years
female: 83.74 years |
|
Fertility rate:
|
1.76 children born/woman |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
adjective: Monegasque or Monacan |
|
Ethnic groups:
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French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%,
other 21% |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 90% |
|
Languages:
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French (official), English, Italian,
Monegasque |
Government
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: Principality
of Monaco
local long form: Principaute de Monaco |
|
Government type:
|
constitutional monarchy |
|
Capital:
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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) |
|
National holiday:
|
National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19
November |
|
Constitution:
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17 December 1962 |
|
Legal system:
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based on French law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
|
Suffrage:
|
21 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
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chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April
2005)
head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June 2005)
cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the
monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French
Government. |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats;
16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve
five-year terms) |
|
Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges
appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council) |
Economy
Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort,
attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also
is a major banking center and 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.
|
GDP:
|
$976.3 million
note: Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates are
extremely rough (2006 est.) |
|
GDP per capita:
|
$30,000 |
|
Labor force:
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41,110
note: includes workers from all foreign countries |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $719.2 million
expenditures: $864.1 million |
|
Industries:
|
tourism, construction,
small-scale industrial and consumer products |
|
Agriculture:
|
none |
|
Exports:
|
full customs
integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade
duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with
France |
|
Imports:
|
full customs
integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade
duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with
France |
|
Currency:
|
euro (EUR) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |