Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Monaco.

OFFICIAL NAME: Principality of Monaco

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

France is a developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Monaco is a developed constitutional monarchy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on France and on Monaco for additional information.

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 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.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

A passport is required to enter France and Monaco. A visa is not required for tourist/business stays up to 90 days in France and Monaco. Anyone intending to stay more than 90 days must obtain the appropriate visa issued by one of the French Consulates in the U.S., prior to departure for France. This also applies to anyone considering marriage in France. The 90-day period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

For further information concerning entry requirements for France, travelers may contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. (202) 944-6000, Email: info@ambafrance-us.org, or the French Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, or San Francisco. For further information on entry requirements to Monaco, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco. 2314 Wyoming Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008, Tel: 202-234-1530, Email: embassy@monaco-usa.org, or the Consulate General of Monaco, 565 Fifth Avenue – 23rd floor, New York, NY 10017, Tel: 212-286-0500, Email: info@monaco-consulate.com For more information visit the Embassy of France web site at www.consulfrance-washington.org or the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco web site at http://www.monaco-usa.org for the most current visa information.

Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country; many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.

QUICK FACTS

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.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government