Facts About Monaco

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state , country, and microstate on the French Riviera in Western Europe. 

It has an area of 2 square km. 

Monaco (city-state) is its capital and Monte Carlo is its largest Quartier. 

French is the official language of Monaco. 

Euro (€) (EUR) is its official currency. 

Monaco is surrounded by France on three sides and the remaining part of the country is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea.

In 2014, nearly 30% of Monaco's population was a millionaire, comparable to Zurich or Geneva.

Monaco does not have a significant defence force. However, France is responsible for the country's defence.

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the country's major events each year. If you're curious about the event's winner, "Ayrton Senna" has won the Grand Prix six times, more than any other race car driver.

Monaco is the world's only country with a Human Development Index greater than one.

Monaco expressed an interest in becoming a shareholder in Nice Airport, which is the closest to its territory.

Monaco is a premier tourist and recreation destination.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo first opened its doors in Monaco 153 years ago, in 1863.

Monaco residents are not permitted to gamble or visit the casino. The government imposed the rule because it does not want its citizens to gamble away their money. The casino generates revenue for the country and provides employment for its residents.

Princess Caroline is credited with establishing gambling casinos in Monaco in order to save the House of Grimaldi (Monaco's ruling family at the time) from bankruptcy.

As early as 1856, the country had gambling tables.

Monaco serves as a tax haven. The country survives solely on the proceeds of tourism and gambling.

Monaco does not have airports, but it does have heliports. One could also argue that Monaco is too small to support airports. During the busy season, helicopters arrive at the heliports every 20 minutes.

The country's only natural resource is fish. However, the country has the world's third-highest nominal GDP per capita at $115,700 (as of 2015), trailing only Liechtenstein and Qatar.

The country's largest employer is Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM). It is in charge of the majority of Monaco's tourism-related activities.

With such high demand and limited land availability, Monaco real estate is among the most expensive in the world.

One of Monaco's most famous tourist attractions is the Oceanographic Museum, which was built in 1910.

Monaco has a very low crime rate. This could be due to the fact that Monaco has more police officers per capita than any other country.

Despite its long history and geographical proximity to France, Monaco was never a part of it.

If you lived in Monaco but were not born there, you would be referred to as a Monacoian.

The current ruler of Monaco is the second child of the Prince of Monaco and an American model (married in 1956).

The revenue generated by radio, television, the casino, and state monopolies on stamps and tobacco supports the economy of this tiny nation. Banking and financial activities also contribute to the country's economy.

To deter criminal activity, the principality has a large number of security cameras installed throughout.

The principality's size has increased by at least 20% due to some land reclamation from the Mediterranean Sea.

Children between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to attend school.

Monaco became a member of the United Nations in 1993.

Every year, more than 1.5 million people visit the country.

The first industries to emerge in Monaco at the turn of the twentieth century were a brewery, a chocolate factory, and a flour mill.

Monaco has a near-zero unemployment rate.

Monaco has the world's highest life expectancy (89.5 years).

Monegasque is the name given to Monaco residents. It is worth noting that, despite its small size, the country is home to the majority of foreign residents.

Monaco's sports teams are AS Monaco FC, the Monaco national football team, and the Monaco national rugby union team.