Monaco

Monaco, the second smallest country in the world, is a wealthy principality that lies on the east side of France along the Mediterranean Sea. It is a tourist destination known for its culture of entertainment and luxury. A European country, Monaco is a member of the United Nations but not of the European Union. Monaco's residents, called Monégasques, live in an entirely urban setting.

General Information

• Full name of country: Principality of Monaco
• Region: Europe
• Nationality: Monégasque(s) or Monacan(s) (noun), Monégasque or Monacan (adjective)
• Official language: French
• Population: 31,813 (2024 est.)
• Population growth: 0.71% (2024 est.)
• Currency (money): Euro
• Land area: 2 sq km (1 sq miles)
• Time zone: UTC +1
• Capital: Monaco
• Flag: The flag of Monaco consists of two equally sized horizontal bands of red (top) and white (bottom). Red and white represent the heraldic colors of the royal Grimaldi family.
• Motto: “Deo Juvante” (With God’s Help)
• Independence: 1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of Grimaldi)
• Government type: constitutional monarchy
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
• Legal system: civil law system influenced by French legal tradition
• National anthem: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco), by Louis Notari/Charles Albrecht
• National holiday: National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), November 19 (1857)

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Monaco has few official citizens, and most of its inhabitants are either visiting or vacationing. About 32.1 percent of the residents were Monégasque in 2016. The country has many wealthy residents that live extravagant lifestyles in the small, prosperous nation.

The people of Monaco primarily speak French, the official language, but Italian and English are also spoken throughout the country. In addition, some of Monaco's residents speak a dialect called Monégasque, a blend of French and Italian. In general, Monégasque is rarely spoken outside of primary schools, where it is taught to students.

The official state religion of Monaco is Roman Catholicism. The importance of this religion to the nation is a product of French and Italian influence throughout Monaco's history. Many of Monaco's cultural traditions and practices are based in Christianity. Despite the strong presence of Catholicism, absolute freedom of worship is a right of Monégasques as described in Monaco's constitution.

There are four distinct regions in Monaco, which are all roughly the same size. In the north, the town of Monte Carlo, established in 1866, is home to a resort and casino. It is the country's largest city. The Monte Carlo resort is the hub of social activity in Monaco. However, official citizens of the country are strictly prohibited from entering the casinos of Monte Carlo.

La Condamine is a town built around the ports and marinas in the central region. In the south, the capital, Monaco-Ville, is situated on the cliffs near the coast. The Fontvieille industrial region lies to the west of Monaco-Ville. All of the regions are bustling and crowded.

Due to the small land area and the relatively large amount of people, Monaco is very densely populated.

Indigenous People: It is assumed that the earliest people to live in the area of present-day Monaco were the Phoenicians. After the fifth century BCE, the area was also inhabited by Greco-Roman and French people.

Monaco's location on the Mediterranean Sea made it an attractive trading port for Romans and those traveling to African countries.

Because of its small size and high rate of tourism, fewer than one-quarter of the people living in Monaco are nationals. Minority populations include people from the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, and Russia, among other places.

Education: Monaco's citizens are highly literate and are typically educated in the fine arts, service learning, and traditional academics. School attendance is mandatory for residents between six and sixteen years of age. Education is one part of Monaco's culture that ties the native Monégasques to the French, since schools in Monaco use the same course materials and lesson guidelines as schools in France.

There are many specialized public and private secondary schools in Monaco. The three main state-run secondary schools specialize in financial studies and commercial career preparation. These schools are the Lycée Albert Ier, Collège Charles III, and the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monaco. Schools specializing in the arts include the Prince Rainier III Academy of Music and Theatre and the Princess Grace Academy for ballet.

Health Care: Monaco expended 1.7 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health care programs for its residents in 2020. Health care provisions include workplace injury compensation and care for the disabled.

Food: French cuisine is prevalent in Monaco. Monégasques also create their own versions of many common French dishes. Foods such as sandwiches and other bread-based meals are popular. These typically include ingredients such as cheeses, olive oil, tomatoes, and seafood.

A unique and popular meal in Monaco is "las soccas," or chickpea pancakes. Zucchini is a widely used cooking vegetable, and is featured in the dish "les beignets de fleurs de courgettes," or zucchini dumplings.

Arts & Entertainment: Perhaps more than any European nation, Monaco's arts and entertainment are at the center of the country's way of life.

Monaco is the home of the famous Monte-Carlo resort and casino. Monte Carlo is the focus of most of Monaco's nightlife and tourist activity. In addition, museums and galleries are scattered around Monte Carlo's main boulevard. The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology is in the southwestern part of the city. The Naval Museum, featuring information about the history and culture of Mediterranean people, is located in the capital, Monaco-Ville.

The Theater of Monte Carlo is almost as important to Monaco's culture as the casino. The theater is widely known for hosting world-renowned performances in music and dance. In addition, the Fort Antoine Theatre and the Theater Princess Grace are popular venues for live entertainment.

Several annual events celebrate Monaco's culture. These include the Monte Carlo International Festival of Circus in January or early February, the Spring Arts Festival in March, and the Monte Carlo Television Festival and the International Bouquet Competition in June.

Monaco's people stress the importance of French literature to the arts. Leaders in the principality award an annual literature prize to a French-language author.

Sporting events are also very popular in Monaco. Each year, spectators around the world watch auto races such as the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Grand Prix. Other popular sports in Monaco include tennis, sailing, and soccer.

Holidays: As a Roman Catholic nation, Christian holidays and traditions such as Christmas, Easter, and All Saints' Day are observed. In addition to these, Monaco has many holidays and festivals that honor individual saints. The patron Saint of Monaco is Saint Dévote, who was martyred for her Christianity. Every January, Monégasques lead a series of processions and ceremonies in honor of Dévote, followed by nighttime fireworks and a large pyre that is burned and sent in a boat into the Mediterranean.

The Saint John's Day Festival is commemorated in late June with festivities that include folk dance, mandolin music, costumes, and a large feast in Monte Carlo. Saint Roman's Day, on August 9, commemorates another patron saint of Monaco.

One of the biggest celebrations held each year in Monaco is the Monégasque National Holiday, which is also called Saint Rainier's Day or Sovereign Prince's Day. This occurs every year on November 19, and involves a religious mass followed by fireworks and a large formal function at the Monte Carlo Opera House.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Monaco is a coastal nation built mainly on cliffs and beaches. France's Mont Agel lies along the northwestern border. The country is bordered on the east by the Mediterranean Sea. The capital is set on a cliff 61 meters (200 feet) high, and is the location of the principality's royal palace and ancient fortress.

There are no significant bodies of water in Monaco. Although it is situated on the Mediterranean coast and there are several ports and harbors, there are no lakes or rivers within the boundaries of the small nation.

Natural Resources: Monaco has no natural resources of its own, mostly due to the fact that it is entirely urban. Residents rely on resources that are imported, mainly from France.

Plants & Animals: Monaco's location on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as its high cliffs, creates a friendly environment for many species of birds and rare plants. However, since most of contemporary Monaco is urbanized, many of these native plants and animals can no longer live and grow in their original habitats. Instead, they can mostly be found in artificial environments throughout Monaco.

The Exotic Garden is a popular destination for tourists, and contains many varieties of desert plants from the Mediterranean region. Similarly, most of Monaco's animal population may be found in the Zoological Gardens. The zoo also has many foreign reptiles, monkeys, birds and rodents.

Climate: Monaco's climate is dry, fair, and warm. The winter is comfortable, with an average January temperature of 11 degrees Celsius (51.8 degrees Fahrenheit), and the Mediterranean summer is generally warm, with July temperatures averaging at 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Monaco is a rather dry country, with infrequent rain.

Economy

Industry: Monaco's industrial district is kept separate from the other areas of the principality. Industry workers account for 16.1 percent of Monaco's labor force as of 2012. The service industry, including jobs in finance, insurance, and tourism, employs most of Monaco's working residents and generates the majority of the nation's revenue.

Many of Monaco's residents work in sales, manufacturing, or other sectors that involve the tourism industry. The country's most important manufactured goods include chemicals, plastic and rubber products, apparel, and food products. These are primarily shipped to Monaco's trading partners, the largest of which is France.

Monaco's citizens enjoy full tax exemption. Instead, taxes are drawn from gaming facilities and retail sales. Monaco's gross domestic product (GDP, purchasing power parity) was estimated at $7.67 billion in 2015.

Agriculture: Agriculture is essentially nonexistent in Monaco. Because the nation is so densely populated and is 100 percent urban, there is no substantial farming or internal sources of produce. Any agricultural goods are either imported or grown in France. Tomatoes, grapes and other vine fruits are widely consumed in Monaco, but are not widely grown there. Monaco does have an active fishing industry, but it is not an important part of trade.

Tourism: Due in large part to its resorts, tourism is a large economic and social force in Monaco. The Monte Carlo and other attractions in Monaco draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The service industry constituted 88.5 percent of Monaco's GDP in 2023.

Tourists are anxious to gamble at the casinos, watch the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Grand Prix auto races, and visit the palace of the prince. Shopping, relaxing at the beaches, going to nightclubs, and attending theater performances are among the most popular activities for visitors. Tourists also collect Monaco's unique postage stamps as souvenirs.

Government

The area on which present-day Monaco lies has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the principality has existed for centuries. Since 1297, Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi dynasty, with short interruptions.

As a constitutional monarchy and principality, Monaco has a prince or princess as its leader and a minister of state in charge of directing governmental affairs. The reigning monarch appoints the minister of state, while the citizens democratically elect the National Council of twenty-four legislators. Monaco's government is closely related to the government of France.

During the French Revolution, Monaco fell under French rule for an extended period of time. The principality regained independent status in 1861, but remained a French territory. In 1911, Monaco's constitution was written, and the nation became independent and self-governing in 1918, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

In many ways, the principality remains under France's partial guardianship. Monaco is reliant on France for trade and resources, and shares its neighbor's systems of education and governance. Some public services, such as Monaco's television transmitters on Mont Agel, also remain under the dominion of France.

Although Monaco is a principality, the prince's actual power is limited, since most of the government's activities are conducted democratically. The prince oversees councilors of the interior, finance, and public works, in addition to the Council of the Crown, which reviews procedures within the principality.

Several political parties vie for control of the National Council. The Monegasque National Union won election in 2023.

Interesting Facts

• The entire country of Monaco is smaller in area than New York City's Central Park.
• At less than one square mile, Monaco is the world's second most densely populated country (Macau being the most dense).
• According to 2023 CIA World Factbook data, Monaco has the highest life expectancy in the world at 89.6 years.
• Despite its longtime fascination with sports, Monaco had yet to win an Olympic medal, as of the 2022 Games.

Bibliography

"Monaco." The World Bank, 2022, data.worldbank.org/country/monaco. Accessed 26 May 2022.

"Monaco." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 21 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/monaco. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

"Monaco." World Health Organization, 2022, www.who.int/countries/mco/. Accessed 26 May 2022.

Monaco Statistics, Principauté de Monaco, 2012–22, www.monacostatistics.mc. Accessed 26 July 2022.