Background: 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.
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Monaco
Currency: euro (EUR)
Geography of Monaco
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the southern coast
of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Area:
total: 1.95 sq km
land: 1.95 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Land boundaries:
total: 4.4 km
border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (urban area)
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, 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 world (after Holy See);
almost entirely urban
People of Monaco
Population: 32,409 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.32%
15-64 years: 62.23%
65 years and over: 22.45%
Population growth rate: 0.46%
Birth rate: 9.74 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: 7.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.98 years
male: 75.04 years
female: 83.12 years
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy: total population: 99%
SOURCE: The World Factbook |