Monaco, map of Monaco

Brief information about the country

Оfficial name:  Principality of Monaco

Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy

Total area: 1.95 sq km

Population: 32,671 (July 2007 est.); Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%,

Capital: Monaco

Largest cities:  Monte-Carlo

Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Official language: French (official), English, Italian.

The political structure: constitutional monarchy. Chief of state: Prince Albert II. Head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul Proust.

International organization participation: UN, UNESCO. Not a member of EU.

Currency: euro

How to get there: Ports and harbours: 2: Hercule (old) and Fontvieille (new)

Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service. As of May 2005, all Royal Helicopter Service is provided by the James Drabble Aviation Services Committee. This deal sparked a great deal of controversy in the National Council of Monaco, as there was no precedent yet set.

Time zone: 2 hours behind Moscow time.

Religion:  Roman Catholic 90%.

National Holiday: National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)

The reference web-site “Wikipedia”