PROFILE
OFFICIAL NAME:
Principality of Monaco
Geography
Area: 1.95 sq. km. (0.8 sq. mi); about the size of New York City's
Central Park.
City: Capital--Monaco, pop. 32,020 (2000).
Terrain: Hilly.
Climate: Mediterranean.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Monegasque.
Population: 32,100.
Annual growth rate (2001 est.): 0.46%.
Ethnic groups (2000 census): Monegasque 19%, French 32%, Italian 20%,
other 29%. Christian singles note-Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, other
10%.
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, and Monegasque (a
blend of French and Italian).
Education: Years compulsory--10, ages 6-16. Attendance--99%.
Literacy--99%.
Health (2001 est.): Infant mortality--5.83/1,000. Life
expectancy--75.04 yrs male; 83.12 yrs female. Number of births per
year (July 2001 est.)--310. Number of deaths per year (July 2001
est.)--414.
Work force (2000, 38,595): Private sector--35,168. Public
sector--3,427. Services--46%. Banking--7%. Tourism
and hotel--17%. Retail--12%. Construction and public
works--7%. Industry--11%.
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: December 17, 1962 (amended in April 2002).
Branches: Executive--Prince Rainier III (chief of state). Legislative--National
Council (24 members). Judicial--Court of First Instance, Court
of Appeal, High Court of Appeal, Criminal Court, Supreme Court.
Subdivisions: Four quarters (quartiers)--Monaco-Ville, La
Condamine, Monte-Carlo, Fontvieille.
Political parties: Union pour Monaco (UPM), National and Democratic
Union (UND), Parti Monégasque (PM).
Suffrage: Universal adult at age 18.
Economy
GDP: Monaco does not publish economic figures such as gross domestic
product, though estimates placed GDP at $870 million in 1999.
Avg. annual growth rate: Not available.
Per capita GDP (1999 est.): $27,000.
Agriculture: None.
Industry: Types--tourism, construction, chemicals, food
products, plastics, precision instruments, cosmetics, ceramics.
Trade: Imports (2000)--about $472 million. Exports
(2000)--about $492 million.
Currency: Monaco, along with France and the other 11 members of the
European Monetary Union (EMU), adopted the euro as its official
currency on January 1, 2002. As in other EMU states, Euros minted in
Monaco have special Monegasque features on one side of the coin.
GEOGRAPHY
The Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in
the world, after the Holy See (Vatican City). It is located on the
Mediterranean coast, 18 kilometers (11 mi.) east of Nice, France, and
is surrounded on three sides by France. Monaco is divided into four
sections: Monaco-Ville, the old city on a rocky promontory extending
into the Mediterranean; La Condamine, the section along the port;
Monte-Carlo, the principal residential and resort area; and
Fontvieille, a newly constructed area reclaimed from the sea.
The principality is noted for its beautiful natural scenery and
mild, sunny climate. The average minimum temperature in January and
February is 8oC (47oF); in July and August the
average maximum temperature is 26oC (78oF).
PEOPLE
In 2001, Monaco's population was estimated at 32,020, with an
estimated average growth rate of 0.46%.
French is the official language; English, Italian, and Monegasque
(a blend of French and Italian) also are spoken. The literacy rate is
99%. Christian singles note-Roman Catholicism is the official
religion, with freedom of other religions guaranteed by the
constitution.
