Monaco

The Principality of Monaco, the second-smallest independent state in the world, is situated in Western Europe. It is a tiny sovereign city-state, spanning 1.95 sq km area. Monaco is bordered by France to the west and by the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Monaco is considered as the tax haven imposing no taxes for the individuals. Overpowering the Grimaldi family, which governed Monaco since 1297, French took over the region. It is a Constitutional Monarchy and Principality. The defense affairs are still looked after by the French. Monaco is the most densely populated sovereign nation and the smallest French-speaking nation in the world. The city of Monaco is the capital of the city-state, while Monte Carlo is the largest city of the Principality of Monaco.

HISTORY:- The Principality of Monaco gained its name from the temple of Hercules Monoikos. In 1793, Monaco came under French possession. The region became a protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardiniahe by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. In 1860, Monaco was ceded to France under the Treaty of Turin. Under the Franco-Monegasque treaty in 1861, Monaco came under the French guardianship. In 1918, with the Treaty of Versailles, Grimaldi dynasty was overthrown and a limited French protection over the region was introduced. In 1943, Italy occupied Monaco and after the fall of Mussolini, Nazi Germany occupied it. The new constitution of 1962 outlawed capital punishment and introduced women’s suffrage to Monaco.

GEOGRAPHY:- Monaco is located at 43 44 N, 7 24 E in Western Europe. The small country has occupied total 1.95 sq km area with no internal water sources. The coastline is 4.1 km long bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The lowest point of the country is Mediterranean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Mont Agel (140 m). Monaco is mostly hilly, rugged, and rocky.

CLIMATE:- The climate of Monaco is mostly Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

GOVERNMENT:- Monaco has a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was adopted on 17th December 1962. The legal system is based on the French law. The three major branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the Prince (chief of state), the Minister of State (head of government), and the Council of Government. The monarchy is hereditary. The minister of state is appointed by the monarch from the list of 3 French national candidates, presented by the French Government. The Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Appeal, the Criminal Court, and the Supreme Court. All the judges are appointed by the monarch on the nominations by the National Council.

 Union pour Monaco (UPM), Rassemblement et Enjeux (REM), Parti Monégasque (PM) are the principal political parties of Monaco. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.

Chief of State       Prince Albert II

Minister of State      Jean-Paul Proust

Ambassador to the United States and United Nations Gilles Noghes

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- The Principality of Monaco is formed of 4 quarters: Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, and Monte-Carlo.

CULTURE:- Football is the most popular sport in Monaco. Car racing and rally, notably Monaco Grand Prix, and Monte Carlo Rally are very popular in Monaco.

ECONOMY:- Monaco is a major tourist spot for its globally famous casino and pleasant climate. The Principality of Monaco imposes no income tax individuals and ensures a very low business tax.

GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $976.3 million; Monaco does not publish national income figures; thus the estimates are extremely rough; per capita $30,000.

Real growth rate: 0.9%.



Inflation: 1.9%.

Unemployment: 0% (2005).

Arable land: 0%.

Agriculture: None.

Budget:  

revenues: $863 million

Expenditures: $920.6 million (2005 est.)

Debt - external: $18 billion (2000 est.)

Labor force: 44,000; note: including workers from all foreign countries (2005 est.).

Natural resources: None.

Industries: Tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products.

Exports: $716.3 million (2005); 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: $916.1 million (2005); note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU.

Monetary unit: Euro

LANGUAGE:- French is the official language of Monaco while English, Italian, and Monegasque are also widely spoken.

CITIES:- The Monaco city is the capital of Monaco and the largest city of the small country is Monte Carlo.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of Monaco is 32,671 with an average growth rate of 0.4%.

Density per sq mi: 42,309

Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)

RACE:-

French 47%

Monegasque 16%

Italian 16%

Other 21%

RELIGION:-

Roman Catholic 90%

Other 10%

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 9.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 12.96 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 5.18 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.96 years

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 5,447

UNICEF:- UNICEF is not active in the country.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 1.7 km.

Highways: total: 50 km; paved: 50 km; unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.).

Ports and harbors: Monaco.

Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service.