Monaco - Tourism and Travel

The Principality of Monaco in southern Europe consists of a strip of land on France's west coast as well as a rocky peninsula.

Monaco is a tiny city-state, only 1 square miles (2 square kilometers) in area.

There is a Mediterranean climate.

Monaco is divided into four traditional quarters: Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, La Condamine and Fontvieille.

33,000 people live in Monaco.

32% of the population is French, 20% is Italian and 19% is Monégasque.

The official language is French. Italian, Monégasque and English are also spoken.

89% of the people are Roman Catholic and 6% are Protestant.

Monaco has the world's highest per capita GDP.

Tourism banking and finance are the most important industries.

Monaco does not have an income tax for individuals, and is therefore a well known tax haven.

Light industry is also important.

Monaco has a mixed monarchical-parliamentary system of government. It was an absolute monarchy until 1911, when a constitution was adopted.

The principality has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since the thirteenth century.

Monaco does not belong to the European Union. However, it uses the euro as its official currency.

Monaco is the home of the annual Monaco Grand Prix.