Monaco

Principality of Monaco Principatu de Múnegu (Monégasque) Principauté de Monaco (French)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Deo Juvante"  (Latin) "With God's Help"
Anthem: Hymne Monégasque
Location of  Monaco  (green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Capital		Monte Carlo1[1] 43°43′N 7°25′E / 43.717°N 7.417°E / 43.717; 7.417
Largest Most populated quartier		Monte Carlo
Official language(s)		French[2] is the only official language. Monégasque, Italian and English are also widely spoken and understood. (See Languages of Monaco)
Demonym		Monégasque or Monegasque
Government		Constitutional monarchy and Principality
-	Prince	Albert II
-	Minister of State	Michel Roger
-	President of the National Council	Stéphane Valeri
Independence
-	House of Grimaldi	1297
-	Constitution	1911
Area
-	Total	2.02 km2 (232nd) 0.78 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.0[3]
Population
-	2010 estimate	30,586[4] (211th)
-	2008 census	35,352[3]
-	Density	15,142/km2 (1st) 39,217/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$4.888 billion[5][6] (153rd)
-	Per capita	$65,928[5][6] (4th)
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$6.581 billion[5][6] (136th)
-	Per capita	$88,761[5][6] (4th)
HDI (2003)		▬ 0.946 (high) (16th as of 2005)
Currency		Euro (EUR)
Time zone		CET (UTC+1)
-	Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.mc
Calling code		+377
1	Monaco is a city-state.

Monaco /ˈmɒnəkoʊ/ (help·info), officially the Principality of Monaco (French: Principauté de Monaco; Monégasque: Principatu de Múnegu; Italian: Principato di Monaco; Occitan: Principat de Mónegue), is a small sovereign city-state located in South Western Europe on the northern central coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy. Its area is 2.02 km² (0.78 sq mi) with an estimated population of almost 33,000.

Monaco is the name of the country and its capital (and only) city. It is famous as a tax haven, and wealthy foreigners make up the majority of the population at approximately 84%.

Monaco is a constitutional monarchy and principality, with Prince Albert II as head of state. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco since 1297, and the state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. Despite Monaco being independent, its national defense is the responsibility of France.

Contents 1 Administrative divisions 1.1 Overview 1.2 Traditional quarters and modern geographic areas 1.3 Wards 2 History 2.1 20th century 3 Law and government 4 Economy 4.1 Tax haven 5 Numismatics 6 Geography of Monaco 7 Climate 8 Sport and entertainment 8.1 Formula One 8.2 Monte Carlo Rally 8.3 Football 8.4 Rugby 8.5 Other sports 9 Education 9.1 Primary and secondary schools 9.2 Colleges and universities 10 Demographics 11 Religion 11.1 Christian 11.1.1 Roman Catholic 11.1.2 Anglican 11.2 Jewish 12 Security 13 Flag 14 Transport 15 See also 16 References 17 External links

[edit] Administrative divisions

[edit] Overview

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world; only the Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest monarchy (and principality to be more exact). The state consists of only one municipality (commune). There is no geographical distinction between the State and City of Monaco, although responsibilities of the government (state-level) and of the municipality (city-level) are different. According to the constitution of 1911, the principality was subdivided into three municipalities:

• Monaco (Monaco-Ville), the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean, known as the Rock of Monaco, or simply Le Rocher (the Rock), where the palace is located
• Monte Carlo, the principal residential and resort area with the Monte Carlo Casino in the east and northeast
• La Condamine, the northwest section including the port area, Port Hercule

The municipalities were merged into one in 1917, after accusations that the government was acting according to the motto "divide and conquer" and they were accorded the status of wards (quartiers) thereafter.

• Fontvieille was added as fourth ward, a newly constructed area reclaimed from the sea (in the 1970s)
• Moneghetti became the fifth ward, created from a part of La Condamine
• Larvotto became the sixth ward, created from a part of Monte Carlo
• La Rousse/Saint Roman (including Le Ténao) became the seventh ward, also created from a part of Monte Carlo

Subsequently, three additional wards were created:

• Saint Michel, from a part of Monte Carlo
• La Colle, from a part of La Condamine
• Les Révoires, from a part of La Condamine

An additional ward was planned by new land reclamation, to be settled from 2014. Prince Albert II announced in his New Year Speech 2009 that plans had been put on hold due to the current economic climate.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Traditional quarters and modern geographic areas

The traditional four quarters of Monaco are: Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, Monte Carlo and Fontvieille. These quarters and Moneghetti are the five "modern geographic areas", defined by the Monaco Department of Tourism which is situated in Monaco-Ville.^[7]

[edit] Wards

Currently the principality is subdivided into ten wards (with their official numbers; Le Portier, the proposed ward, was anticipated as number 11):

No.	Ward	Area (m²)	Population (Census of 2000)	Density km2	City Blocks (îlots)	Remarks
Former municipality of Monaco
05	Monaco-Ville	184,750	1,034	5597	19	Old City with palace
Former municipality of Monte Carlo
01	Monte Carlo/Spélugues (Bd. Des Moulins-Av. de la Madone)	281,461	3,034	10779	20	the casino and resort area
02	La Rousse/Saint Roman (Annonciade-Château Périgord)	105,215	3,223	30633	15	in the northeast, incl. Le Ténao
03	Larvotto/Bas Moulins (Larvotto-Bd Psse Grace)	328,479	5,443	16570	15	eastern beach area
10	Saint Michel (Psse Charlotte-Park Palace)	142,223	3,807	26768	24	central residential area
Former municipality of La Condamine
04	La Condamine	237,283	3,847	16213	27	port area in the northwest
07	La Colle (Plati-Pasteur-Bd Charles III)	188,073	2,822	15005	15	on the western border with Cap d'Ail
08	Les Révoires (Hector Otto-Honoré Labande)	75,747	2,515	33203	11	containing the Jardin Exotique de Monaco
09	Moneghetti/ Bd de Belgique (Bd Rainier III-Bd de Belgique)	107,056	3,003	28051	18
New land reclaimed from the sea
06	Fontvieille	324,157	3,292	10156	9	started 1971
11	Le Portier	275,000(1)	-	-	-	plans put on hold by Prince Albert II in 2009
	Monaco	1,974,444	32,020	16217	173
(1) Area not included in total, as it is only proposed

Note: for statistical purposes, the wards of Monaco are further subdivided into 173 city blocks (îlots), which are comparable to the census blocks in the United States.

[edit] History

Monaco's name comes from the nearby Phocaean Greek colony, in the 6th century. Referred to the Ligurians as Monoikos, from the Greek "μόνοικος", "single house", from "μόνος" (monos) "alone, single"^[8] + "οἶκος" (oikos) "house",^[9] which bears the sense of a people either settled in a "single habitation" or of "living apart" from others. Another Greek word etymologically related to the name of this principality is μόνaκος which means "alone" from which the word monastery and monasticism are derived. According to an ancient myth, Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods. As a result, a temple was constructed there, the temple of Hercules Monoikos. Because the only temple of this area was the "House" of Hercules, the city was called Monoikos.^[10][11]

Following a land grant from Emperor Henry VI in 1191, Monaco was re-founded in 1228 as a colony of Genoa. Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, when Francesco Grimaldi ("Il Malizia", translated from Italian either as "The Malicious One" or "The Cunning One") and his men captured the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco while he was dressed as a Franciscan monk - a Monaco in Italian, although this is a coincidence as the area was already known by this name.

In 1793, French Revolutionary forces captured Monaco, and it remained under French control until 1814. The principality was re-established that year, only to be designated a protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Monaco remained in this position until 1860, when by the Treaty of Turin, Sardinia ceded to France the surrounding county of Nice (as well as Savoy). During this time there was unrest in the towns of Menton and Roquebrune, which declared independence, hoping for annexation by Sardinia. The unrest continued until the ruling prince gave up his claim to the two towns (some 95% of the country), and they were ceded to France in return for four million francs. This transfer and Monaco's sovereignty was recognised by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861.

[edit] 20th century

Until the Monegasque Revolution of 1910 forced the adoption of the 1911 constitution, the princes of Monaco were absolute rulers. In July 1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty, part of the Treaty of Versailles, established that Monegasque international policy would be aligned with French political, military, and economic interests.

In 1943, the Italian army invaded and occupied Monaco, setting up a Fascist administration. Shortly thereafter, following Mussolini's collapse in Italy, the Nazi German Wehrmacht occupied Monaco and began the deportation of the Jewish population. The prominent French Jew René Blum (Paris, 13 March 1878 – Auschwitz, 30 April 1943), who founded the Ballet de l'Opera in Monte Carlo, was arrested in his Paris home and held in the Drancy deportation camp outside Paris, France whence he was then shipped to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where he was killed.

Rainier III, who ruled until 2005, acceded to the throne following the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II, in 1949. On April 19, 1956, Prince Rainier married the American actress Grace Kelly; the event was widely televised and covered in the popular press, focusing the world's attention on the tiny Principality.

A new constitution in 1962 abolished capital punishment, provided for women's suffrage, and established a Supreme Court of Monaco to guarantee fundamental liberties. In 1993, the Principality of Monaco became a member of the United Nations, with full voting rights. In 2002, a new treaty between France and Monaco specified that, should there be no heirs to carry on the Grimaldi dynasty, the principality would still remain an independent nation rather than revert to France. Monaco's military defence, however, is still the responsibility of France.

On 31 March 2005, Prince Rainier III, too ill to exercise his duties, relinquished them to his only son and heir, Prince Albert Alexandre Louis. Prince Rainier died on 6 April 2005, after a reign of 56 years, and his son, by Princess Grace, succeeded him as Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Following a period of official mourning, Prince Albert II formally assumed the princely crown on 12 July 2005, in a celebration that began with a solemn Mass at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where his father had been buried three months earlier. His accession to the Monegasque throne was a two-step event, with a further ceremony, drawing heads of state for an elaborate levée, held on 19 November 2005 at the historic Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville.

[edit] Law and government

Monaco has been governed as a constitutional monarchy since 1911, with the Sovereign Prince of Monaco as head of state. The executive branch consists of a Minister of State (the head of government), who presides over a five-member Council of Government. Until 2002, the Minister of State was a French citizen appointed by the prince from among candidates proposed by the French government; since the constitution amendment in 2002, the Minister of State can be French or Monegasque. However, Prince Albert II appointed, on March 3, 2010, the Frenchman Michel Roger as Minister of State.

Under the 1962 constitution, the prince shares his power with the unicameral National Council (parliament). The twenty-four members of this legislative body are elected from lists by universal suffrage for five-year terms. The principality's local affairs are directed by the Communal Council, which consists of fifteen elected members and is presided over by the mayor.

[edit] Economy

One of Monaco's main sources of income is tourism; each year many are attracted to its casino and pleasant climate. (Monaco's own citizens are not allowed to gamble in the casino.)^{[citation needed]} In 2001, a major new construction project extended the pier used by cruise ships in the main harbour. The principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries, such as cosmetics and biothermics.

The state retains monopolies in numerous sectors, including tobacco and the postal service. The telephone network (Monaco Telecom) used to be fully owned by the state; it now owns only 45%, while the remaining 55% is owned by both Cable & Wireless (49%) and Compagnie Monégasque de Banque (6%). It is still, however, a monopoly. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.^{[citation needed]}

Monaco is not a member of the European Union. However, it is very closely linked via a customs union with France, and as such, its currency is the same as that of France, the euro. Before 2002, Monaco minted its own coins, the Monegasque franc. Monaco has acquired the right to mint euro coins with Monegasque designs on its national side.

[edit] Tax haven

Monaco levies no income tax on individuals. The absence of a personal income tax in the principality has attracted to it a considerable number of wealthy "tax refugee" residents from European countries who derive the majority of their income from activity outside Monaco; celebrities such as Formula One drivers attract most of the attention, but the vast majority of them are less well-known business people.^{[citation needed]}

In 1998, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued a first report on the consequences of the tax havens' financial systems. Monaco did not appear in the list of these territories until 2004, when OECD became indignant regarding the Monegasque situation and denounced it in its last report, as well as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, underlining its lack of co-operation as regards financial information disclosure and availability.^[12][13]

In 2000, a report by the French parliamentarians, Arnaud Montebourg and Vincent Peillon, alleged that Monaco had lax policies with respect to money laundering, including within its famed casino, and that the government of Monaco had been placing political pressure on the judiciary, so that alleged crimes were not being properly investigated.^[14]

In 2000, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) stated: "The anti-money laundering system in Monaco is comprehensive. However, difficulties have been encountered with Monaco by countries in international investigations on serious crimes that appear to be linked also with tax matters. In addition, the FIU of Monaco (SICCFIN) suffers a great lack of adequate resources. The authorities of Monaco have stated that they will provide additional resources to SICCFIN."^[15] The Principality is no longer blamed in the 2005 FATF report, as well as all other territories.^[16][17] However, since 2003, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified Monaco, along with 36 other territories, as a tax haven.^[18]

The Council of Europe also decided to issue reports naming tax havens. Twenty-two territories, including Monaco, were thus evaluated between 1998 and 2000 on a first round. Monaco is the only territory that refuses to perform the second round, initially forecast between 2001 and 2003, whereas the 21 other territories are implementing the third and last round, planned between 2005 and 2007.^[19]

However, Monaco has high social insurance taxes payable by both employer and employee. The employer's contribution is between 28%-40% (averaging 35%) of gross salary including benefits and the employee pays a further 10%-14% (averaging 13%).^[20] Social insurance contributions, amounting to nearly 50% of salary, are a major disincentive to the hiring of staff and in many ways detract substantially from the advantageous income tax regime which exists in Monaco.

[edit] Numismatics

In Monaco, the euro was introduced in 2002. In preparation for this date, the minting of the new euro coins started as early as 2001. This is why the first euro coins from Monaco have the year 2001 on them, instead of 2002, like other countries of the Eurozone. Three different designs were selected for the Monegasque coins. In 2006, the design was changed after the death of ruling Prince Rainier to have the effigy of Prince Albert.

Monaco also has a rich and valuable collection of collectors' coins, with face value ranging from 5 to 100 euro. These coins are a legacy of an old national practice of minting silver and gold commemorative coins. Unlike normal issues, these coins are not legal tender in all the Eurozone. For instance, a €5 Monegasque commemorative coin cannot be used in any other country. The same practice concerning commemorative coins is exercised with all eurozone countries. Commemorative coins are legal tender only in their country of issue, unlike normal circulation coins, which are accepted in all euro-zone countries.

[edit] Geography of Monaco

With a total area of 2.02 square kilometres (0.78 sq mi), a land border of 5.469 kilometres (3.4 mi) and a coast measuring 3.829 kilometres (2.4 mi)^[3] the Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world, after the Vatican City. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Nice, France, and is surrounded on three sides by France and on the fourth by the sea into which its maritime claims extend to 22.2 kilometres (13.8 mi). Its highest point is 163 metres (535 ft) above sea level, on the southern slopes of Mont Agel whose 1,109 m (3,638 ft) peak is in France. The country has no natural resources.

[edit] Climate

See also: Climate

Monaco has a warm-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa), which is influenced by the oceanic climate and the humid subtropical climate.

As a result, it has warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Cool and rainy interludes can interrupt the dry summer season, the average length of which is also shorter.

Climate data for Monte Carlo, Monaco
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	12.5 (54.5)	13.1 (55.6)	14.5 (58.1)	16.7 (62.1)	19.8 (67.6)	23.3 (73.9)	26.4 (79.5)	26.6 (79.9)	24.2 (75.6)	20.8 (69.4)	16.2 (61.2)	13.5 (56.3)	19.0 (66.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	8.7 (47.7)	9.4 (48.9)	10.9 (51.6)	13.2 (55.8)	16.4 (61.5)	19.9 (67.8)	22.9 (73.2)	23.0 (73.4)	20.5 (68.9)	17.0 (62.6)	12.4 (54.3)	9.6 (49.3)	15.3 (59.5)
Average low °C (°F)	4.9 (40.8)	5.6 (42.1)	7.2 (45)	9.7 (49.5)	13.0 (55.4)	16.4 (61.5)	19.3 (66.7)	19.3 (66.7)	16.9 (62.4)	13.2 (55.8)	8.6 (47.5)	5.7 (42.3)	11.7 (53.1)
Precipitation mm (inches)	82.7 (3.256)	76.4 (3.008)	70.5 (2.776)	62.2 (2.449)	48.6 (1.913)	36.9 (1.453)	15.6 (0.614)	31.3 (1.232)	54.4 (2.142)	108.2 (4.26)	104.2 (4.102)	77.5 (3.051)	768.5 (30.256)
Avg. precipitation days	6.8	6.4	6.1	6.3	5.2	4.1	1.9	3.1	4.0	5.8	7.0	6.0	62.7
Sunshine hours	148.8	152.6	201.5	228.0	269.7	297.0	341.0	306.9	240.0	204.6	156.0	142.6	2,668.7
Source: Hong Kong Observatory[21]

[edit] Sport and entertainment

[edit] Formula One

Since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually in the streets of Monaco. It is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. The erection of the Circuit de Monaco takes six weeks to complete, and the removal after the race another three weeks. The circuit has many elevation changes and tight corners, along with a tunnel. This together with being incredibly narrow and tight makes it perhaps the most demanding Formula One track. Only two drivers have ever crashed into the harbour, the most famous being Alberto Ascari in the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix, just four days before losing his life at Monza. The other was Paul Hawkins, during the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix.

[edit] Monte Carlo Rally

The Monte Carlo Rally has been held since 1911, having originally been held at the behest of Prince Albert I and is, like the principality's Grand Prix, organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco. It has long been considered to be one of the toughest and most prestigious events in rallying and from 1973 to 2008 was the opening round of the World Rally Championship.

[edit] Football

Monaco hosts two major football teams in the principality; men's football club AS Monaco FC and women's football club OS Monaco. AS Monaco plays at the Stade Louis II and competes in the Ligue 1, the top division of French football. The club is historically one of the most successful clubs in France. Because of the popular appeal of living in Monaco and the lack of income tax, many international stars have played for the club, such as Marcelo Gallardo, Jürgen Klinsmann, Oliver Bierhoff, George Weah, John Collins, Fernando Morientes, Thierry Henry, Fabien Barthez, Rafael Márquez, Javier Saviola, David Trezeguet, John Arne Riise, Patrice Evra, Shabani Nonda, Emmanuel Adebayor, Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen, Jan Koller, Victor Ikpeba, and Park Chu-Young. The club reached the UEFA Champions League Final in 2004, led by the likes of Morientes, Evra, Akis Zikos, and Ludovic Giuly, losing 3-0 to Portuguese team, F.C. Porto. The Stade Louis II also plays host to the annual UEFA Super Cup, which is played between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

The women's team, OS Monaco, competes in the women's French football league system. The club currently plays in the local regional league deep down in the league system, however once played in the Division 1 Féminine in the 1994–95 season, but were quickly relegated. Current French women's international goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi had a short stint at the club before going to the Clairefontaine academy.

[edit] Rugby

Monaco's national rugby team, as of March 2010, is 91st in the International Rugby Board rankings.

[edit] Other sports

The Monte Carlo Masters is currently held annually in neighbouring Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, as a professional tournament for men as part of tennis' ATP Masters Series. The tournament has been held since 1897. Golf's Monte Carlo Open was also held at the Monte Carlo Golf Club at Mont Agel in France between 1984 and 1992. Monaco has also competed in the Olympic Games, although, as of 2008, no athlete from Monaco has ever won an Olympic medal.

In 2009, the Tour de France, the world's premier bicycle race, started from Monaco with a 15 km closed-circuit individual time trial starting and finishing there on the first day (4 July) and the 182 km second leg starting there on the following day and ending in Brignoles, France.

Monaco also stage part of the Global Champions Tour (International Show-jumping). Acknowledged as the most glamorous of the series, Monaco will be hosting the world's most celebrated riders, including Monaco's own Charlotte Casiraghi, in a setting facing out over the world's most beautiful yachts, and framed by the Port Hercule and Prince's palace. In 2009, the Monaco stage of the Global Champions tour takes place between 25 June - 27 June.

The Monaco Marathon is the only marathon in the world to pass through three separate countries, those of Monaco, France and Italy. The 2010 event takes place on March 21. Runners complete the race by returning to the Stade Louis II.Grand Prix is an annual international sports car race through Monte Carlo's elegant streets.

The Monaco Ironman 70.3 triathlon race is an annual event with over 1000 athletes competing and attracts top professional athletes from around the world. The race includes a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.1 km run.

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary and secondary schools

Monaco has ten state-operated schools, including: seven nursery and primary schools; one secondary school, Collège Charles III;^[22] one lycée that provides general and technological training, Lycée Albert 1er;^[23] and one lycée that provides vocational and hotel training, Lycée technique et hôtelier de Monte-Carlo.^[24] There are also two grant-aided denominational private schools, including Institution François d'Assise Nicolas Barré and Ecole des Sœurs Dominicaines, and one international school, the International School of Monaco.

[edit] Colleges and universities

There is one university located in Monaco:

• International University of Monaco

[edit] Demographics

Monaco's population is unusual in that the native Monegasques are a minority in their own country. The largest proportion of residents are French nationals (47%), followed by Monegasque (16%), and Italians (16%). The remaining 21% belong to one of the other 125 nationalities that make up Monaco's international population. A Monacoian is the term used to describe a person living in Monaco who is not a citizen of Monaco.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Religion

[edit] Christian

[edit] Roman Catholic

The official religion is Roman Catholicism, with freedom of other religions guaranteed by the constitution. There are five Roman Catholic parish churches in Monaco and one cathedral, which is the seat of the archbishop of Monaco. The diocese, which has existed since the mid-nineteenth century, was raised to an archbishopric in 1981 as the Archdiocese of Monaco.

[edit] Anglican

There is one Anglican church (St. Paul's Church), located in the Avenue de Grande Bretagne in Monte Carlo. In 2007 this had a formal membership of 135 Anglicans resident in the principality, but was also serving a considerably larger number of Anglicans temporarily in the country, mostly as tourists. The church site also accommodates an English-language library of over 3,000 books.^[25] The church is part of the Anglican Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe.

[edit] Jewish

The Association Culturelle Israélite de Monaco (founded 1948) is a converted house containing a synagogue, a community Hebrew school, and a kosher food shop, located in Monte Carlo. The community (approximately 1,500 strong) mainly consists of retired Jews from Britain (40%) and North Africa. One third of the Jewish population there is Ashkenazi, while the other two thirds are Sephardic.^[26]

[edit] Security

The wider defense of the nation is provided by France. Monaco has no navy or air force, but on both a per-capita and per-area basis, Monaco has the largest police force (515 police officers for 32,000 people) and police presence in the world. Its police includes a specialist unit which operates patrol and surveillance boats. There is also a small military consisting of a (mainly ceremonial) bodyguard unit for the Prince and his palace called the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince which numbers 112 officers and men and is equipped with modern weapons such as M16 rifles and 9 mm pistols, and a militarized (and armed) fire and civil defence Corps.

The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince's Company of Carabiniers) is the main ceremonial unit of the military force of Monaco. It was created by Prince Honoré IV in 1817 for the protection of the Principality and the Princely family. The company numbers exactly 112 officers and men; while the NCOs and soldiers are local, the officers have generally served in the French Army. Together with the local fire service (Sapeurs-Pompiers), the Carabiniers form Monaco's total public forces. In addition to their guard duties, the company patrols the Principality's beaches and coastal waters, as well as duties around the Palace in Monaco-Ville.

[edit] Flag

The flag of Monaco is one of the world's oldest national flag designs. The flag of Monaco is identical to that of Indonesia, except for the ratio of height to width.^[27]

[edit] Transport

Monaco is served by several train systems and the Monaco - Fontvieille Heliport. The closest airport is Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice, France. Some airlines marketed Monaco via Nice Airport.^[28]

[edit] See also

Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco Foreign relations of Monaco List of radio stations in Monaco List of rulers of Monaco Microstate Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra Music of Monaco

Oceanographic Museum Postage stamps and postal history of Monaco Prince's Palace of Monaco Rail transport in Monaco Repossi jewellers Telecommunications in Monaco The Princess Grace Hospital Centre

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Find more about Monaco on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions from Wiktionary
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Government

• Official Government Portal
• Official website of the Prince's Palace of Monaco
• Chief of State and Cabinet Members

General information

• Monaco entry at The World Factbook
• Monaco from UCB Libraries GovPubs
• Monaco at the Open Directory Project
• History of Monaco: Primary documents
• Wikimedia Atlas of Monaco

Travel

• Official website for Tourism
• Your Monaco Monaco travel guide
• Principality Monaco Principality Monaco travel and special offers site
• maBoum.com Unofficial guide to what's on in Monaco
• Monaco travel guide from Wikitravel

Other

• Order of the doctors of Monaco (French)
• French Monaco Web portail (French)
• La Principauté - Le premier journal d'actualité de Monaco
• Gouv.mc (French)
• Monaco Today, a daily newsletter in English, Monaco247.com
• Monaco247.com English news portal
• The Monaco Times - a regular feature in The Riviera Times is the English language newspaper for the French - Italian Riviera and the Principality of Monaco provides monthly local news and information about business, art and culture, people and lifestyle, events and also the real estate market.
• Monaco-IQ Monaco information and news aggregator
• Monaco information portal
• Monte-Carlo Italian Monte-Carlo unofficial portal

Geographic locale v • d • e Administrative divisions of Monaco Traditional Quartiers 1 Monaco-Ville · La Condamine · Monte Carlo · Fontvieille Current Wards 2 01 Monte Carlo · 02 Saint Roman · 03 Larvotto · 04 La Condamine · 05 Monaco-Ville · 06 Fontvieille · 07 La Colle · 08 Les Révoires · 09 Moneghetti · 10 Saint Michel · 11 Le Portier 3 1 ordered by age of foundation • 2 ordered by official Ward number • 3 Planned for 2014 v • d • e Countries of Europe Abkhazia1·5 · Albania · Andorra · Armenia2 · Austria · Azerbaijan1 · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus2 · Czech Republic · Denmark3 · Estonia · Finland · France1·3 · Georgia1 · Germany · Greece  · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy1 · Kazakhstan1 · Kosovo5 · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Macedonia4 · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands3 · Nagorno-Karabakh Republic2·5 · Northern Cyprus2·5 · Norway3 · Poland · Portugal3 · Romania · Russia1 · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · South Ossetia1·5 · Spain1 · Sweden · Switzerland · Transnistria5 · Turkey1 · Ukraine · United Kingdom3 · Vatican City 1 Has part of its territory outside Europe.  2 Entirely in Western Asia but having socio-political connections with Europe.  3 Has dependencies or similar territories outside Europe. 4 Name disputed by Greece; see Macedonia naming dispute. 5 Is a state with limited international recognition v • d • e Capitals of European states and territories Capitals of non-sovereign territories or constituent nations shown in SmallCaps Western Northern Central Southern Eastern Amsterdam, Netherlands Andorra la Vella, Andorra Belfast, Northern Ireland Brussels, Belgium 5 Douglas, Isle of Man4 Cardiff, Wales Dublin, Ireland Edinburgh, Scotland Lisbon, Portugal London, United Kingdom Luxembourg, Luxembourg Madrid, Spain Monaco, Monaco Paris, France Saint Helier, Jersey4 Saint Peter Port, Guernsey4 Copenhagen, Denmark Helsinki, Finland Longyearbyen, Svalbard Mariehamn, Åland Islands Oslo, Norway Reykjavík, Iceland Riga, Latvia Stockholm, Sweden Tallinn, Estonia Tórshavn, Faroe Islands Vilnius, Lithuania Belgrade, Serbia Berlin, Germany Bern, Switzerland Bratislava, Slovakia Budapest, Hungary Ljubljana, Slovenia Prague, Czech Republic Vienna, Austria Warsaw, Poland Vaduz, Liechtenstein Zagreb, Croatia Ankara, Turkey 1 Athens, Greece Gibraltar, Gibraltar4 Nicosia, Cyprus 2, Northern Cyprus 2, 3 Podgorica, Montenegro Pristina, Kosovo 3 Rome, Italy San Marino, San Marino Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Tirana, Albania Valletta, Malta Vatican City, Vatican City Astana, Kazakhstan 1 Baku, Azerbaijan 1 Bucharest, Romania Chişinău, Moldova Kiev, Ukraine Minsk, Belarus Moscow, Russia 1 Sofia, Bulgaria Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic 3 Sukhumi, Abkhazia 3 Tbilisi, Georgia 1 Tiraspol, Transnistria 3 Tskhinvali, South Ossetia 3 Yerevan, Armenia 1 1 Transcontinental country.  2 Entirely in Southwest Asia but having socio-political connections with Europe.  3 Partially recognised country.  4 Crown Dependency or Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.  5 Also the seat of the European Union, see Location of European Union institutions and Brussels and the European Union. v • d • e Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea Albania • Algeria • Bosnia-Herzegovina • Croatia • Cyprus • Egypt • France • Gibraltar • Greece • Israel • Italy • Lebanon • Libya • Malta • Monaco • Montenegro • Morocco • Palestinian Authority • Slovenia • Spain • Syria • Tunisia • Turkey • Akrotiri / Dhekelia

International organizations v • d • e Council of Europe Institutions Secretary General · Committee of Ministers · Parliamentary Assembly · Congress · Court of Human Rights · Commissioner for Human Rights · Commission for the Efficiency of Justice Members Full Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Macedonia1 · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · United Kingdom Observer Canada · Israel · Japan · Mexico · United States · Vatican City Former Czechoslovakia (1991–1992) · Saar (assoc. 1950–1956) 1 Provisionally referred to by the Council of Europe as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"; see Macedonia naming dispute. v • d • e Latin Union Member nations Andorra · Angola · Bolivia · Brazil · Cape Verde · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Côte d'Ivoire · Cuba · Dominican Republic · East Timor · Ecuador · El Salvador · France · Guatemala · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Honduras · Italy · Mexico · Moldova · Monaco · Mozambique · Nicaragua · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Philippines · Portugal · Romania · San Marino · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Spain · Uruguay · Venezuela Permanent observers Argentina · Holy See · Sovereign Military Order of Malta Official languages Catalan · French · Italian · Portuguese · Romanian · Spanish

Other information v • d • e Monarchies List of current monarchs Geography Africa · Americas · Asia · Europe · Oceania Absolute Brunei · Saudi Arabia · Swaziland · Vatican City Constitutional Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Andorra · The Bahamas · Bahrain · Barbados · Belize · Belgium · Bhutan · Cambodia · Canada · Denmark · Grenada · Jamaica · Japan · Jordan · Kuwait · Liechtenstein · Lesotho · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Monaco · Morocco · Netherlands · New Zealand · Norway · Oman1 · Papua New Guinea · Qatar1 · Spain · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Solomon Islands · Sweden · Thailand · Tonga · Tuvalu · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom Elective Andorra · Cambodia · Kuwait · Malaysia · Swaziland · United Arab Emirates · Vatican City Subnational Ghana Ashanti · Dagbon Malaysia Johor · Kedah · Kelantan · Negeri Sembilan · Pahang · Perak · Perlis · Selangor · Terengganu Nigeria Olubadan · Nri · Onitsha · Kano · Sokoto Caliphate · Lagos Uganda Ankole · Buganda · Bunyoro · Busoga · Rwenzururu · Toro United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi · Ajman · Dubai · Fujairah · Ras al-Khaimah · Sharjah · Umm al-Quwain Wallis and Futuna Alo · Sigave · Uvea Others Māori (New Zealand) · Yogyakarta (Indonesia) · Zulu Kingdom (South Africa) · Kanongesha-Lunda (Zambia) · Barotseland (Zambia) Italics indicate Commonwealth realms, which each share the same person as head of state. 1 Monarchy is constitutional by law, but remains absolute in practice.

Coordinates: 43°43′58″N 7°25′11″E / 43.73278°N 7.41972°E / 43.73278; 7.41972