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. 32,409 (July 2005 est.).
Terrain: Hilly.
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Monegasque.
Population (July 2006 est.): 32,543.
Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 0.386%.
Ethnic groups (2007): French 47%, Italian 16%, Monegasque 16%, other 21%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%.
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, and Monegasque.
Education: Years compulsory--10, ages 6-16. Attendance--99%. Literacy--99%.
Health (2007 est.): Infant mortality--5.27 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--75.99 yrs. male; 83.85 yrs. female. Birth rate (2007 est.)--9.12 births/1,000 population. Death rate (2006 est.)--12.92 deaths/1,000 population.

Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: December 17, 1962 (amended in April 2002).
Branches: Executive--Prince Albert II (chief of state), Minister of State Jean-Paul Proust (head of government), Council of Government (cabinet under authority of the monarch). Legislative--unicameral 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 purchasing power parity GDP at $976.3 million in 2006.
Avg. annual growth rate (2003 est.): 1.89%.
Per capita purchasing power parity GDP (2006 est.): $30,000.
Work force (2003, 41,708): Private sector--37,949. Public sector--3,759. Services--83.5%. Banking--23.43%. Tourism and hotel--11.64%. Retail--4.92%. Construction and public works--32.02%. Industry--6.98%.
Agricultural products: None.
Industry: Types--tourism, construction, chemicals, food products, plastics, precision instruments, cosmetics, ceramics.
Trade: Imports (2005)--$916.1 million. Exports (2005)--$716.3 million. Note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France.
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 8^oC (47^oF); in July and August the average maximum temperature is 26^oC (78^oF).

PEOPLE
In July 2006, Monaco's population was estimated at 32,543, with an estimated average growth rate for 2007 of 0.386%.

French is the official language; English, Italian, and Monegasque (a blend of French and Italian) also are spoken. The literacy rate is 99%. Roman Catholicism is the official religion, with freedom of other religions guaranteed by the constitution.

HISTORY
Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, except when under French control from 1789 to 1814. Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Treaty of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a constitution was promulgated in 1911.