Monaco
Principality of MonacoPrincipaute de Monaco
constitutional monarchy
Monaco as the 2006 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 97 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
18 fieldsLand useshare of 1.95 sq km
Location
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Environment - international agreements
- 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
Geography - note
second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban
People
19 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2006 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2006 est.)
Male · female
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.05 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 (2006 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy; Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005); Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June 2005)
18 fieldsNational Council or Conseil National, 24 seats, elected 9 February 2003one dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Principality of Monaco
- conventional short form:
- Monaco
- local long form:
- Principaute de Monaco
- local short form:
- Monaco
Capital
- name:
- Monaco
- geographic coordinates:
- 43 44 N, 7 25 E
- time difference:
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- daylight saving time:
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
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
Executive branch
- 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:
- 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
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)
- elections:
- last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UNAM 21, UND 3
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council)
Political parties and leaders
National and Democratic Union or UND [Guy MAGNAN]; Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM)
International organization participation
ACCT, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Monaco does not have an embassy in the US; consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- the US does not have an embassy in Monaco;
- the US Consul General in Marseille (France) under the authority of the US ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco
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
Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate.
24 fieldsEconomy - overview
Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In 2001, a major construction project extended 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.
Exports
$656.5 million $NA note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Imports
$636.6 million $NA note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Exchange rates
euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- modern automatic telephone system
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- country code - 377;
- no satellite earth stations;
- connected by cable into the French communications system
Transportation
4 fieldsMerchant marine
registered in other countries: 77 (Bahamas 17, Barbados 1, Bermuda 2, France 1, Georgia 13, Isle of Man 3, Liberia 10, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 8, Norway 4, Panama 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Switzerland 2, unknown 1) (2006)
Military
4 fieldsMilitary - note
defense is the responsibility of France; the Palace Guard performs ceremonial duties (2003)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Monaco.” The World Factbook 2006. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/monaco/2006.