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Monaco City Facts
A principality on the Mediterranean Sea consisting of an enclave in
southeast France. Probably settled by Phoenicians, it has been ruled by the
Grimaldi family since the 13th century. At various times Monaco was under the
protection of Spain, Sardinia, and France but regained its sovereignty in
1861. The village of Monaco, or Monaco-Ville, is the capital.
Population: 32,200 .
Mon'a·can adj. & n.
Monaco (mŏn'əkō,
mōnä'kō, Fr. mônäkō') , officially
Principality of Monaco, independent principality (1995 est. pop. 31,500),
c.370 acres (150 hectares), on the Mediterranean Sea, an enclave within
Alpes-Maritimes dept., SE France, near the Italian border. It consists of
four adjoining quarters—La Condamine, the business district; Monte
Carlo, the site of the famous casino; Monaco-Ville, the capital, atop a
rocky promontory; and Fontvieille, an area of light industry built largely
on reclaimed land.
Land and People
Monaco's beautiful location, natural harbor, exceptionally mild climate,
and gambling tables in Monte Carlo make it one of the best-known resorts of
the Riviera.
Almost half of the mainly Roman Catholic population are French, while about
16% are citizens of Monaco and an equal number are Italian. French is the
official language, but English, Italian, and Monegasque (a Romance dialect
similar to Provençal) are also widely spoken.
The casino contains a theater, which houses the Monte Carlo Opera.
Monaco has a 16th-century palace, a 19th-century cathedral in the Byzantine
style, and a noted oceanographic museum, founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I.
Auto racing is popular, and Monaco is home to both the Monte Carlo Rally and
the Monaco Grand Prix. The Monte Carlo Open is a major professional tennis
tournament.
Economy
Monaco has a customs union with France, and its currency is
interchangeable with the French. Excise, stamp, transfer, and estate taxes
are an important source of state revenue. Contrary to popular belief, the
gambling casino (which is managed as a concession by a private corporation)
accounts for only a small portion of government revenue, although it
contributes greatly to the economy by attracting tourists. Monegasques are
not admitted to the gambling tables. In addition to tourism and the foreign
businesses attracted to Monaco by low corporate taxes, shipping and the
manufacture of perfumes, pharmaceuticals, processed food, and precision
instruments are also important.
Government
In accordance with the 1962 constitution, Monaco is governed by the
ruling prince (or princess), who is assisted by a minister of state
(selected by the prince from three candidates nominated by France), a
cabinet (the Council of the Crown), and the National Council, which is
elected by universal suffrage every five years. The prince may initiate
legislation, but all laws must be approved by the National Council. Monaco
has a police force and a Royal Guard that has some 65 members. By a treaty
of 1918, the succession to the throne must be approved by the French
government. Should the throne become vacant for any reason, Monaco would
become an autonomous state under French protection.
History
Probably settled by Phoenicians in ancient times, Monaco was annexed by
Marseilles and Christianized in the 1st cent. A.D. In the 7th
cent. it was part of the kingdom of the Lombards,
and in the 8th cent. of the kingdom of Arles.
It was under Muslim domination (8th cent.) after the Saracens
invaded France.
Monaco was ruled by the Genovese Grimaldi family from the 13th cent. In
1731 the male line died out, but the French Goyon-Matignon family, which
succeeded by marriage, assumed the name Grimaldi. Monaco was under Spanish
protection from 1542 to 1641, under French protection from 1641 to 1793,
annexed to France in 1793, and under Sardinian protection from 1815 to 1861.
The districts of Menton
and Roquebrune (long part of Monaco) were incorporated (1848) into Sardinia,
which in turn ceded them to France in 1860.
Monaco again came under French protection in 1861. Until 1911, when the
first constitution was promulgated, the prince was an absolute ruler. Rainier
III, succeeded his grandfather, Louis II, as ruler of Monaco in 1949. In
1956, Rainier married Grace Kelly (1929–82), an American motion-picture
actress, and a male heir, Albert, was born in 1958.
In 1962 serious economic disagreements arose between France and Monaco,
and new fiscal agreements (1963) severely curtailed the right of French
citizens to use Monaco as a tax haven. The Monaco government also came into
conflict with Aristotle Onassis,
who owned majority interests in most businesses there; Monaco purchased his
interests in 1967. Relations with France again became acrimonious in 2000
when Monaco was accused of being a center for money-laundering and France
threatened to force the principality to tighten the regulation of its banks.
Rainier died in 2005 and was succeeded as ruler by his son, Albert II.
AccuWeather® 5-Day Forecast for
Monaco, Monaco
Wednesday
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HI:
76°F / 24°C
LO:
64°F / 17°C
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Thursday
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HI:
74°F / 23°C
LO:
64°F / 17°C
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Friday
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HI:
81°F / 27°C
LO:
65°F / 18°C
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Saturday
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HI:
78°F / 25°C
LO:
65°F / 18°C
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Sunday
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HI:
81°F / 27°C
LO:
68°F / 20°C
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Last updated August 24, 2005 15:09 (EST)
Monaco
Local Time: Aug 24, 9:32 PM
Monaco (mon-uh-koh,
muh-nah-koh)
Its casino at Monte
Carlo, luxury hotels, and spectacular scenery make Monaco a popular
resort.
The American actress Grace Kelly married Monaco's ruler, Prince Rainier
III, in 1956. Princess Grace died in 1982.
Monaco
The international dialing code for Monaco
is: 377
Monaco
Introduction
Background:
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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.
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Geography
Location:
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Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern
coast of France, near the border with Italy
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Geographic coordinates:
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43 44 N, 7 24 E
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Map references:
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Europe
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Area:
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total: 1.95 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1.95 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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total: 4.4 km
border countries: France 4.4 km
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Coastline:
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4.1 km
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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
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Terrain:
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hilly, rugged, rocky
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
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Natural resources:
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none
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km
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Natural hazards:
|
NA
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Environment - current issues:
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NA
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic
Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
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Geography - note:
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second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See);
almost entirely urban
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People
Population:
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32,130 (July 2003 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,551; female 2,445)
15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,814; female 10,130)
65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,937; female 4,253) (2003 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 45 years
male: 43 years
female: 47 years (2002)
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Population growth rate:
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0.44% (2003 est.)
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Birth rate:
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9.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
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Death rate:
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12.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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7.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 79.27 years
male: 75.37 years
female: 83.37 years (2003 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA%
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA
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Nationality:
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noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
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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%
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Languages:
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French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
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Literacy:
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definition: NA
total population: 99%
male: NA%
female: NA%
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Government
Country name:
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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:
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constitutional monarchy
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Capital:
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Monaco
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Administrative divisions:
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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
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Independence:
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1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)
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National holiday:
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National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November
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Constitution:
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17 December 1962
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Legal system:
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based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage:
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21 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir
Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch
(born 14 March 1958)
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state
appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national
candidates presented by the French Government
cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the
monarch
head of government: Minister of State Patrick LECLERCQ (since 5
January 2000)
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16
members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional
representation; to serve five-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - UNAM 21, UND 3
elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held NA
February 2008)
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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)
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Political parties and leaders:
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National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA]; Union
for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco
or UNAM [leader NA]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
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International organization participation:
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ACCT, ECE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS,
IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNITAR,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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Monaco does not have an embassy in the US
consulate(s) general: New York
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General
in Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco
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Flag description:
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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
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Economy
Economy - overview:
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Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular
resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In
2001, a major new construction project will extend the pier used by
cruise ships in the main harbor. 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.
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $870 million (1999 est.)
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $27,000 (1999 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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NA%
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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NA%
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Labor force:
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30,540 (January 1994)
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Unemployment rate:
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3.1% (1998)
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Budget:
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revenues: $518 million
expenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of
$NA (1995)
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Industries:
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tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer
products
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA%
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Electricity - consumption:
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NA kWh
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Agriculture - products:
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none
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Exports:
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$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system
through customs union with France
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Imports:
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$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system
through customs union with France
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Debt - external:
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$NA
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$NA
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Currency:
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euro (EUR)
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Currency code:
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EUR
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Exchange rates:
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euros per US dollar - 1.0626 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854
(2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Communications
Telephones - main lines in use:
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31,027 (1995)
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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NA
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: modern automatic telephone system
domestic: NA
international: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable
into the French communications system
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)
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Television broadcast stations:
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5 (1998)
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Internet country code:
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.mc
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
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2 (2000)
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Internet users:
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NA
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Transportation
Railways:
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total: 1.7 km
standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
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Highways:
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total: 50 km
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 0 km (2001)
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Waterways:
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none
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Ports and harbors:
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Monaco
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Merchant marine:
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none (2002 est.)
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Airports:
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none; linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
(2002)
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Heliports:
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1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice,
France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2002)
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Military
Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France
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Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
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none
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and
related words.
The noun Monaco has one meaning:
Meaning
#1: a constitutional monarchy in a tiny enclave on the French
Riviera
Synonym: Principality
of Monaco
Monaco
The Principality
of Monaco or Monaco (French:
Principauté de Monaco or Monaco; Monegasque:
Munegu or Principatu de Munegu) is a city
state and the second-smallest country
in the world, wedged in between the Mediterranean
Sea and France
along the French
Riviera or Côte d'Azur (The Blue Coast). Consisting mostly of
just the old city of Monaco and later built-up areas, it is also the most
densely populated country in the world1,
and one of the European
microstates.
Principauté de Monaco
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Area
- Total
- % water
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+377
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History
Monaco derives its name from the nearby Greek
colony, Monoikos,
founded in the 6th
century BC by the Phoceans.
According to an ancient myth, Hercules
passed through the Monaco area. A temple was constructed there by Phoceans,
the temple of Hercules Monoikos (Μόνοικος
means single house or single temple).
Monaco was re-founded in 1215
as a colony of Genoa.
Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi
since 1297,
when François
Grimaldi seized the fortress protecting the famous rock while dressed up
as a Franciscan
monk;
the only exception to this was from 1789
to 1814,
when Monaco was under French
control. Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia
from 1815
until 1860
by the Congress
of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognised 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, written into the Treaty
of Versailles, established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with
French political, military, and economic interests.
Prince Rainier
III acceded to the throne following the death of his grandfather, Prince
Louis
II, in 1949.
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.
In 2002,
a new treaty between France and Monaco clarifies that if there are no heirs
to carry on the dynasty, the Principality will remain an independent nation
rather than revert to the French. Monaco's military defense, however, is
still the responsibility of France.
Prince
Albert, Marquis of Baux took over the royal duties on 31
March 2005
because his father Prince Rainier III was too ill to exercise his royal
functions. On 6
April 2005 Prince Rainier died and Prince Albert succeeded him as Albert
II of Monaco.
Politics
Monaco has been governed as a constitutional
monarchy since 1911,
with the Prince as head
of state. The executive
branch consists of a Minister of State (the head
of government), who presides over a four-member Council of Government
(the cabinet).
The Minister of State is a French citizen appointed by the Prince from among
candidates proposed by the French Government. Under the 1962
constitution,
the Prince shares his power with the unicameral
National Council (parliament). The 24 members of this legislative
body are elected from lists by universal suffrage
for 5-year terms.
The principality's local affairs are directed by the Communal Council,
which consists of 15 elected members and is presided over by the Mayor.
Geography
The Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in
the world, after Vatican
City. It is located on the Mediterranean
coast, 18 kilometres east of Nice
and near the Italian
border, and is surrounded on three sides by France.
It consists of a narrow strip along the coast at the bottom of the foothills
of the Alps
and its highest point is "Le Rocher" at 140 m.
Monaco is divided into seven sections or quarters (quartiers): Monaco-Ville,
the capital, the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean;
La
Condamine, the section along the port; Monte
Carlo, the principal residential and resort area with the casino; Fontvieille,
a newly constructed area reclaimed from the sea; Moneghetti,
on the western border with Cap d`Ail; Larvotto
Terano, located northeast of Monte Carlo, with its sea club; and Saint
Roman, a small community neighboring Larvotto Terano.
The principality is noted for its beautiful natural scenery and mild,
sunny climate.
The average minimum temperature in January and February is 8° C (47° F);
in July and August the average maximum temperature is 26° C (78° F).
Economy
Monaco city and harbour view
One of Monaco's main sources of income is tourism;
each year many are attracted to its casino
and pleasant climate. In 2001,
a major new construction project extended the pier used by cruise ships in
the main harbour. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into
services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries.
The state has no income
tax for individuals. The state retains monopolies
in numerous sectors, including tobacco
and the postal service. The telephone
network used to be owned by the state.
Now Monaco Telecom is 49% owned by Cable
and Wireless, 45% by the state
and 6% by Compagnie Monégasque de Banque, but is still a monopoly. Living
standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French
metropolitan areas.
The lack of personal income tax has led to a considerable number of
wealthy "tax refugee" residents from European countries, who earn
the majority of their income from activity outside Monaco; celebrities
like Formula
One drivers attract most of the attention but the majority of them are
businesspeople.
In 2000 a report (http://www.assemblee-nat.fr/rap-info/i2311-2.asp)
by French parliamentarians
Arnaud Montebourg and Vincent
Peillon alleged that Monaco has lax policies with respect to money
laundering, including within its famed casino,
and that the government of Monaco puts political pressure on the judiciary
so that alleged crimes are not properly investigated. The government
of Monaco (http://www.gouv.mc)
ordered reports to OECD
and FATF
suggesting most of these allegations to be untrue.
Monaco is not a member of the European
Union, but is very closely linked to it via a customs union with France
and as such its currency
is the same as France's: the euro.
Monaco has acquired the right to mint euro
coins with Monegasque designs on their national side.
Demographics
In addition to being the most densely-populated country in the world 1,
Monaco is also the second smallest country in the world, beaten only by Vatican
City. See List
of countries by population density.
Monaco's population is unusual in that the native Monegasques are a
minority in their own country. The largest proportion of residents are French
nationals (47%), while Monegasque and Italian
nationals represent 16% each, and the remaining 21% belong to one of the
other 125 nationalities that make up Monaco's international population.
French
is the only official language, but English,
Italian,
and the local Monegasque
language (a descendant of Genoese)
are also spoken. The literacy rate is 99%. Roman
Catholicism is the official religion,
with freedom of other religions guaranteed by the constitution.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Monaco
Notes
-
Although Macau
is more densely populated, by virtue of the fact that Macau is now part
of China,
Monaco is now the most densely populated country in the world.
Miscellaneous topics
External links
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www.gouv.mc (http://www.monaco.gouv.mc/PortGb)-
Official governmental portal.
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Monaco
Net (http://www.monaco.net)
- Monaco Portail (information, list of websites, etc.).
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I
Love Monte Carlo (http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/)
- Monaco and Monte Carlo Guide - information, map, history, culture,
tourism, politics, economy and finance
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Monaco
Paper Money (http://numismondo.com/pm/mon)
- 1920 Emergency Issues
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1. Country partly
in Asia.
2. Usually assigned to Asia
geographically, but often considered European
for cultural and historical reasons.
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1. Does not border the Mediterranean, but is technically
Mediterranean in its climate, fauna and flora.
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia.
It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full
disclaimer)
Translations for: Monaco
Português (Portuguese)
n. - Mônaco
Español (Spanish)
n. - Mónaco
中国话 (Simplified Chinese)
n. - 摩纳哥
中國話 (Traditional Chinese)
n. - 摩納哥
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - מונקו
If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.
To select your translation preferences click here.
Best
of the Web
Some good "Monaco" pages on the web:
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