2012 Edition

Background

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.

Area

2 sq km 2 sq km 0 sq km

total

2 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Climate

Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Coastline

4.1 km

Elevation extremes

Mediterranean Sea 0 m Mont Agel 140 m

highest point

Mont Agel 140 m

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

43 44 N, 7 24 E

Geography - note

second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

4.4 km France 4.4 km

border countries

France 4.4 km

total

4.4 km

Land use

0% 0% 100% (urban area) (2005)

arable land

0%

other

100% (urban area) (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 12 nm

exclusive economic zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

none

Terrain

hilly, rugged, rocky

Age structure

12.1% (male 1,892/ female 1,807) 60.1% (male 9,183/ female 9,143) 27.8% (male 3,790/ female 4,695) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

12.1% (male 1,892/ female 1,807)

15-64 years

60.1% (male 9,183/ female 9,143)

65 years and over

27.8% (male 3,790/ female 4,695) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

6.85 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

8.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2004)

Ethnic groups

French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%

Health expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

1.8 deaths/1,000 live births 2.04 deaths/1,000 live births 1.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

1.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

1.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Life expectancy at birth

89.68 years 85.74 years 93.77 years (2012 est.)

female

93.77 years (2012 est.)

total population

89.68 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Median age

49.9 years 48.9 years 51 years (2012 est.)

female

51 years (2012 est.)

male

48.9 years

total

49.9 years

Nationality

Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) Monegasque or Monacan

adjective

Monegasque or Monacan

noun

Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)

Net migration rate

1.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

5.81 physicians/1,000 population (1995)

Population

30,510 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.066% (2012 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 90% (official), other 10%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population total: 100% of population

total

100% of population

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

18 years 18 years 17 years (2009)

female

17 years (2009)

male

18 years

total

18 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.51 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

100% of total population (2010) 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2010)

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

Capital

Monaco 43 44 N, 7 25 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

43 44 N, 7 25 E

name

Monaco

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

17 December 1962; modified 2 April 2002

Country name

Principality of Monaco Monaco Principaute de Monaco Monaco

conventional long form

Principality of Monaco

conventional short form

Monaco

local long form

Principaute de Monaco

local short form

Monaco

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US ambassador to France, handles routine diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Gilles NOGHES 3400 International Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC 20008 (202) 234-1530 (202) 244-7656 New York

chancery

3400 International Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Gilles NOGHES

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

(202) 244-7656

telephone

(202) 234-1530

Executive branch

Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005) Minister of State Michel ROGER (since 29 March 2010) Council of Government under the authority of the monarch 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 under the authority of the monarch

chief of state

Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)

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

head of government

Minister of State Michel ROGER (since 29 March 2010)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors are those of the ruling House of Grimaldi and have been in use since 1339, making the flag one of the world's oldest national banners similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of GRIMALDI)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

CD, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by French legal tradition

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) last held on 3 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013) percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3

election results

percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3

elections

last held on 3 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013)

National anthem

"A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco) Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is much more commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions

lyrics/music

Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT

name

"A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)

National holiday

National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)

Political parties and leaders

Monaco Together; Rally and Issues for Monaco or REM; Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM)

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

none

Budget

$1.007 billion $1.11 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$1.11 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$1.007 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a 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. Monaco, however, is not a tax-free shelter; it charges nearly 20% value-added tax, collects stamp duties, and companies face a 33% tax on profits unless they can show that three-quarters of profits are generated within the principality. Monaco's reliance on tourism and banking for its economic growth has left it vulnerable to a downturn in France and other European economies which are the principality's main trade partners. In 2009, Monaco's GDP fell by 11.5% as the euro-zone crisis precipitated a sharp drop in tourism and retail activity and home sales. A modest recovery ensued in 2010 with GDP growth of 2.5%, but Monaco's economic prospects remain clouded in uncertainty tied to future euro-zone growth. Weak economic growth also has deteriorated public finances as the principality recorded a budget deficit of 1.9% of GDP in 2010. Monaco was formally removed from the OECD's "grey list" of uncooperative tax jurisdictions in late 2009, but continues to face international pressure to abandon its banking secrecy laws and help combat tax evasion. 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.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$711 million (2010) $716.3 million (2005) full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

0% 4.9% 95.1% (2005)

agriculture

0%

industry

4.9%

services

95.1% (2005)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$NA (2010) $63,400 (2009 est.) $71,600 (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5% (2010 est.) -11.5% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.47 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.47 billion (2010 est.) $5.337 billion (2009 est.) $6.03 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$882.6 million (2010) $916.1 million (2005) full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.5% (2010)

Labor force

49,300 includes workers from all foreign countries (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

18.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

0% (2005)

Broadcast media

TV Monte-Carlo (TMC) operates a TV network; Radio Monte-Carlo has both an Italian-language and a French-language network; there are a few private radio stations (2008)

Internet country code

.mc

Internet hosts

26,009 (2012)

Internet users

23,000 (2009)

Telephone system

modern automatic telephone system; the country's sole fixed line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 200 per 100 persons country code - 377; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 200 per 100 persons

general assessment

modern automatic telephone system; the country's sole fixed line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers

international

country code - 377; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system

Telephones - main lines in use

44,500 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

31,800 (2011)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

64 (Bahamas 8, Bermuda 2, Liberia 8, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 30, Panama 11, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2) (2010)

registered in other countries

64 (Bahamas 8, Bermuda 2, Liberia 8, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 30, Panama 11, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Monaco

Roadways

77 km 77 km (2007)

total

77 km

Manpower available for military service

5,749 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,749 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

4,629 4,597 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,597 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,629

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

141 (2010 est.)

female

141 (2010 est.)

male

153

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France

Military branches

no regular military forces; Directorate of Public Security (2012)

Disputes - international

none