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Country Guide > Europe > Monaco | |
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General Information Area 1.95 sq km (0.75 sq miles).
Population 32,020 (2000). Population Density 16,435 per sq km. Capital Monaco-Ville. Population: 1034 (2000). Geography Monaco is second only to the Vatican as the smallest independent state in Europe. Set on the Mediterranean coast of France just a few miles from the Italian border, the principality is a constitutional monarchy and relies largely on foreign currency for an economic base. Its principal industry is tourism. The country is a narrow ribbon of coastline backed by the Alpes-Maritimes foothills, creating a natural amphitheatre overlooking the sea, with the population centred in four districts. Monaco-Ville is set on a rocky promontory dominating the coast. The Palace is the home of the Grimaldi family, the oldest ruling house in Europe. Monaco-Ville also boasts a fine Romanesque cathedral among its other attractions. La Condamine is the area around the Port, while Monte-Carlo is the main centre for business and entertainment. Fontvieille has been set aside as an area for new light industrial and residential development. Government Constitutional monarchy. Head of State: Prince Rainier III since 1949. Head of Government: Minister of State Patrick Leclercq since 2000. Language French. Monégasque (a mixture of French Provençal and Italian Ligurian), English and Italian are also spoken. Native Monégasques make up only a minority of Monaco’s population. Religion 91 per cent Roman Catholic (Monaco has a Catholic Bishop), with Anglican minorities. Time GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use. Communications Telephone Full IDD is available. Country code: 377. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network covers the whole principality, operated by Monaco Telecom. Fax All hotels have facilities. Internet ISPs include Monaco Internet (website: www.monaco.net). There is at least one Internet cafe. Telegram Available at hotels and post offices. Telephones and telegraphic services are open 0800-2100 daily at the main post office (see below). Post Same rates as France. The main post office is at The Scala Palace, Beaumarchais Square. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1900, Sat 0800-1200. There are special Monégasque stamps. Press The principal regional daily is Nice-Matin (which includes two pages on Monaco). The Monaco Hebdo covers Monaco’s current affairs. The Journal de Monaco, an internal government journal, is published weekly. Other newspapers include Gazette Monaco-Côte d’Azur, Monaco Actualité and Monte Carlo Méditerranée. French newspapers are widely available, as are English books and magazines. The Riviera Reporter, the only English-language magazine for residents in the French Riviera, is published every two months. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
