View of the south balcony heading to the Mediterranean Sea of the Monte Carlo casino in Monaco . The building hosts a casino , the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo and the…
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
harbour and Rock of Monaco seen from a viewpoint near the village of La Turbie
Photo: Tobi 87, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Did you know?
Monaco is governed under a form of semi-constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state, who holds substantial political powers. The prime minister, who is the head of government, can be either a Monégasque or French citizen; the monarch consults with the Government of France before an appointment. Key members of the judiciary are detached French magistrates. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297.
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View of central Monaco sea front, from Cap Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Monaco view from the Ligurian Sea
Photo: Nik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
History
Monaco was first mentioned by the Greek historian Hecataeus of Miletus, who referred to it as "Monoikos, a Ligurian town". Strabo referred to it as Monoikon limen, explaining that Monoikos (Greek for "the solitary one") was another name for Heracles, who had a temple here; it is possible, however, that it is an alteration of an older Ligurian name.
In 1191, the Holy Roman Empire granted Monaco to the Genoese in return for cracking down on pirates. By the early 1200s, the Genoese had built a castle on the rock and were utilizing the port.
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Lamarck Square, Moneghetti, Monaco. October 2007.
Photo: Timothy Titus at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Monaco, Building at the Avenue Saint-Martin
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Crowded Monaco
Photo: José Luiz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Geography
Monaco is a sovereign city-state, with five quarters and ten wards, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is bordered by France's Alpes-Maritimes department on three sides, with one side bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy and only 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Nice.
It has an area of 2.1 km2 (0.81 sq mi), or 208 ha (510 acres), and a population of 38,400, making Monaco the second-smallest and the most densely populated country in the world.
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Monaco as seen from the Place du Palais in Monaco-Ville.
Photo: Spike, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Casino de Monte-Carlo token
Photo: Jacek Halicki, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Airbus Helicopters H130 - 3A-MHM from Heli Air Monaco landing at Monaco heliport
Photo: Hugo LUC, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Government and politics
Monaco has been governed under a constitutional monarchy since 1911, with the Sovereign Prince of Monaco as head of state. The executive branch consists of a Minister of State as the head of government, who presides over the other five members of the Council of Government. Until 2002, the Minister of State was a French citizen appointed by the prince from among candidates proposed by the Government of France; since a constitutional amendment in 2002, the Minister of State can be French or Monégasque. Since July 2025, the office is held by Christophe Mirmand.
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Rolls-Royce Spectre in Monaco
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Monte-Carlo Casino in Monaco (2015).
Photo: Fruitpunchline, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Economy
Monaco has the world's highest nominal GDP per capita at US$185,742, PPP-adjusted GDP per capita at $132,571 and GNI per capita at $183,150. It has an unemployment rate of 2%, with over 48,000 workers who commute from France and Italy each day. According to the CIA World Factbook, Monaco has the world's lowest poverty rate and the highest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita in the world. For the fourth year in a row, Monaco in 2012 had the world's most expensive real estate market, at $58,300 per square metre.
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City of Monaco
Photo: CAPTAIN RAJU, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
View of Monaco
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Close view of NE Monaco sea front, from Cap Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Demographics
Monaco's total population was 38,400 in 2015, and estimated by the United Nations to be 36,297 as of 1 July 2023. As of 2024, Monégasques make up 24.1% of residents, followed by French (21.8%), Italian (19.5%), British (7.6%), Swiss (3.1%), Russian (3.1%), Belgian (2.7%), and German nationals (2.5%). According to 2019 studies, 31% of Monaco's population is reported to be millionaires equalling up to 12,248 individuals.
Citizens of Monaco, whether born in the country or naturalised, are called Monégasque. Monaco has the world's highest life expectancy at nearly 90 years.
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Monaco, Musée Océanographique, U-Boot
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Airbus Helicopters - 3A-MIA from Monacair at Monaco Heliport
Photo: Hugo LUC, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Culture
Monaco exhibits a wide range of architecture, but the principality's signature style, particularly in Monte Carlo, is that of the Belle Époque. It finds its most florid expression in the 1878–9 Casino and the Salle Garnier created by Charles Garnier and Jules Dutrou. Decorative elements include turrets, balconies, pinnacles, multi-coloured ceramics, and caryatids. These were blended to create a picturesque fantasy of pleasure and luxury, and an alluring expression of how Monaco sought and still seeks, to portray itself.
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Morgan Plus Six in Monaco
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
View of Monaco
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Monaco, Musée Océanographique
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pedestrian ramp in the Ravin de Sainte-Dévote, Monaco
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source