Monaco

Official name Principauté de Monaco (Principality of Monaco)
Form of government constitutional monarchy with one legislative house (National Council [24])
Head of state Prince: Albert II
Head of government1 Minister of State: Michel Roger, assisted by the Council of Government
Capital See footnote 2.
Official language French
Official religion Roman Catholicism
Monetary unit euro (€)3
Population (2013 est.) 37,100COLLAPSE
Total area (sq mi) 0.78
Total area (sq km) 2.02
Urban-rural population

Urban: (2011) 100%

Rural: (2011) 0%

Life expectancy at birth

Male: (2009) 78 years

Female: (2009) 85 years

Literacy: percentage of population age 15 and over literate

Male: not available

Female: not available

GNI per capita (U.S.$) (2011) 167,021

1Under the authority of the prince.

2The principality is a single administrative unit, and no separate area within it is distinguished as capital.

3Monaco uses the euro as its official currency, even though it is not a member of the EU.

Background of Monaco

The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling GRIMALDI family first seized temporary control in 1297, and again in 1331, but were not able to permanently secure their holding until 1419. 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.

Monaco, officially Principality of Monaco, French Principauté de Monaco, sovereign principality located along the Mediterranean Sea in the midst of the resort area of the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera). The city of Nice lies 9 miles (15 km) to the west, the Italian border 5 miles (8 km) to the east. Monaco’s tiny territory occupies a set of densely clustered hills and a headland that looks southward over the Mediterranean. Many unusual features, however, have made Monaco among the most luxurious tourist resorts in the world and have given it a fame far exceeding its size.

Many visitors to Monaco alternate their hours between its beaches and boating facilities, its international sports-car races, and its world-famous Place du Casino, the gambling centre in the Monte-Carlo section that made Monte-Carlo an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth. The country has a mild Mediterranean climate with annual temperatures averaging 61 °F (16 °C) and with only about 60 days of rainfall. Monthly average temperatures range from 50 °F (10 °C) in January to 75 °F (24 °C) in August.

Evidences of Stone Age settlements in Monaco are preserved in the principality’s Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. In ancient times the headland was known to the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. In 1191 the Genoese took possession of it, and in 1297 the long reign of the Grimaldi family began. The Grimaldis allied themselves with France except for the period from 1524 to 1641, when they were under the protection of Spain. In 1793 they were dispossessed by the French Revolutionary regime, and Monaco was annexed to France. With the fall of Napoleon I, however, the Grimaldis returned; the Congress of Vienna (1815) put Monaco under the protection of Sardinia. The principality lost the neighbouring towns of Menton and Roquebrune in 1848 and finally ceded them to France under the terms of the Franco-Monegasque treaty of 1861. The treaty did restore Monaco’s independence, however, and in 1865 a customs union was established between the two countries. Another treaty that was made with France, in 1918, contained a clause providing that, in the event that the Grimaldi dynasty should become extinct, Monaco would become an autonomous state under French protection. A revision to the constitution in 2002 added females and their legitimate children to the line of succession. In 1997 the Grimaldi family commemorated 700 years of rule, and in 1999 Prince Rainier III marked 50 years on the throne. Shortly before his death in 2005, his son Albert became regent. The principality joined the United Nations in 1993. Though not a member of the European Union (EU), Monaco phased out the French franc for the single European currency of the euro by 2002.

Monaco’s refusal to impose income taxes on its residents and on international businesses that have established headquarters in the principality led to a severe crisis with France in 1962. A compromise was reached by which French citizens with less than five years residence in Monaco were taxed at French rates and taxes were imposed on Monegasque companies doing more than 25 percent of their business outside the principality. In the early 21st century, some European nations criticized Monaco’s loose banking regulations, claiming that the principality sheltered tax evaders and money launderers.

Monaco’s constitution of 1911 provided for an elected National Council, but in 1959 Prince Rainier III suspended part of the constitution and dissolved the National Council because of a disagreement over the budget. In 1961 he appointed instead a national assembly. The aforementioned crisis of 1962 with France led him to restore the National Council and to grant a new, liberal constitution. The council comprises 18 members, elected by universal suffrage for a term of five years. Government is carried on by a minister of state (who must be a French citizen) and three state councillors acting under the authority of the prince, who is the official chief of state. Legislative power is shared by the prince and the National Council. Since 1819 the judicial system has been based on that of France; since 1962 the highest judicial authority has been the Supreme Tribunal.

A substantial portion of the government’s revenues comes from taxes on commercial transactions; additional revenue is drawn from franchises on radio, television, and the casino, from state-operated monopolies on tobacco and postage stamps, from sales taxes, and from the taxes imposed since 1962.

Monaco’s chief industry is tourism, and its facilities make it one of Europe’s most luxurious resorts. Once a winter attraction, it now draws summer visitors as well to its beaches and expanded mooring facilities. Business conferences are especially important. The social life of Monte-Carlo revolves around the Place du Casino. The casino was built in 1861, and in 1967 its operations were taken over by the principality. Banking and finance and real estate are other important components of the diverse services sector.

A majority of Monaco’s population is composed of French citizens (nearly half); a smaller but significant number are Italian, Swiss, and Belgian. Only about one-sixth of the population claims Monegasque descent. Most of the people are Roman Catholics. The official language is French.

The four sections, or quartiers, of Monaco are the town of Monaco, or “the Rock,” a headland jutting into the sea on which the old town is located; La Condamine, the business district on the west of the bay, with its natural harbour; Monte-Carlo, including the gambling casino; and the newer zone of Fontvieille, in which various light industries have developed.

In Monaco are the Roman Catholic cathedral, the prince’s Genoese and Renaissance palace, and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, built in 1910. The casino itself contains a theatre designed by the 19th-century French architect Charles Garnier, which is the home of the Opéra de Monte Carlo. During the 1920s many of the works of the famous Ballets Russes of Serge Diaghilev were given their premieres there. There is also a Monte-Carlo national orchestra. The best known of the automobile events held in the principality are the Monte-Carlo Rally and the Grand Prix de Monaco.

Geography of Monaco

Monaco is a small country in the southeastern corner of France at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco, (French:), officially the Principality of Monaco, a country in Europe. It is enclosed on three sides by France; on the south it borders the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco surrounds a yacht harbor on the Riviera eight miles (13 km) east of Nice, near the Italian border. Monaco's area, .73 square mile (1.9 km 2), is less than that of any independent state except Vatican City. The climate is mild and sunny.

The principality consists of several sections. La Condamine is the business district and port area. Monte Carlo is the site of the Casino of Monte Carlo. Monaco-Ville (Monaco-Town), on a rocky headland, is the site of the government offices, palace, cathedral, and the noted Oceanographic Museum built by Prince Albert I.

Tourism, which flourishes throughout the year, contributes much to the economy. Monaco holds part of the interest interest in the corporation that owns the main tourist facilities, including hotels and Monte Carlo's famed casino. Chemicals, food products, plastics, electronic producs, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals are made. The sale of postage stamps to collectors also supplies revenue.

Monaco has a greater population density than any other country. Roman Catholicism is the official religion, French the official language.

Facts in brief about Monaco Capital: Monaco. Official language: French. Area: 0.75 mi2 (1.95 km2). Population: Current estimate—34,000; density, 45,333 per mi2 (17,436 per km2); distribution, 100 percent urban, 0 percent rural. 2000 census—32,020. Chief products: Chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals. Flag: The civil flag has two horizontal stripes, red and white. The state flag is white with a coat of arms in the center. Money: Basic unit—euro. One hundred cents equal one euro. The French franc, Monaco’s former currency, was replaced by the euro in 2002. Government and History Monaco is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the princes of the Grimaldi line. Under the constitution of 1962, legislative power is held by the prince and a body called the National Council. Executive power is exercised in the name of the prince by the minister of state and cabinet. The judiciary is headed by a supreme tribunal. Monaco has a customs union agreement with France and, under a 1918 treaty, coordinates its foreign policy with that of France; France, in turn, provides for national defense.

The Genoese began fortifying Monaco in 1215, and in 1297 the Grimaldi family of Genoa took control. Monaco was annexed to France during 1793–1814 and was a Sardinian protectorate during 1815–61. Prince Rainier III, who came to the throne in 1949, married American actress Grace Kelly in 1956. In the 1970's and 1980's, tourism was heavily promoted and the construction of sports and entertainment complexes made Monaco a popular convention site. In 1993 Monaco became a member of the United Nations. Prince Rainier died in 2005, and he was succeeded by Prince Albert II, his son.

History of Monaco

The Phoenicians, and after them the Greeks, had a temple on the Monacan headland honoring Hercules. The principality took its name from Monoikos, the Greek surname for this mythological hero. After being independent for 800 years, Monaco was annexed to France in 1793 and placed under Sardinia's protection in 1815. By the Franco-Monegasque treaty of 1861, Monaco went under French guardianship but continued to be independent. A treaty made with France in 1918 contained a clause providing that, in the event that the male Grimaldi dynasty should die out, Monaco would become an autonomous state under French protection.

Monaco has a tourist business that attracts as many as 1.5 million visitors a year and is famous for its beaches and casinos, especially world-famous Monte Carlo. It had gaming tables as early as 1856.

Disclaimer

This is not the official site of this country. Most of the information in this site were taken from the U.S. Department of State, The Central Intelligence Agency, The United Nations, [1],[2], [3], [4], [5],[6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14],[15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24],[25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30],[31], [32], [33], [34], and the [35].

Other sources of information will be mentioned as they are posted.