Monaco

Monaco

Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs                                       
June 2007                                                                     
                                                                       
  Background Note: Monaco                                                     
                                                                       
  Flag of Monaco is two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white.        
                                                                       
  PROFILE                                                                     
                                                                       
  OFFICIAL NAME:                                                              
  Principality of Monaco                                                      
                                                                       
  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.                                
                                                                       
  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 (47o
  F); 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.                                             
                                                                       
  HISTORY                                                                     
  Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been ruled by the House of 
  Grimaldi since 1297, except when under French control from 1789 to 1814.    
  Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Treaty 
  of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognized by the Franco-Monegasque     
  Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a          
  constitution was promulgated in 1911.                                       
                                                                       
  In July 1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection   
  over Monaco. The treaty, formally noted in the Treaty of Versailles,        
  established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political,  
  military, and economic interests.                                           
                                                                       
  A new constitution, proclaimed in 1962, abolished capital punishment,       
  provided for female suffrage, and established a Supreme Court to guarantee  
  fundamental liberties.                                                      
                                                                       
  In 1993, Monaco became an official member of the United Nations with full   
  voting rights. It joined the Council of Europe in 2004.                     
                                                                       
  Three months after the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on April 6, 
  Prince Albert II formally acceded to the throne on July 12, 2005.           
                                                                       
  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS                                         
  Monaco has been governed as a constitutional monarchy since 1911, with the  
  Prince as chief of state. The executive branch consists of a Minister of    
  State (head of government), who presides over a five-member Council of      
  Government (cabinet). The Minister of State is responsible for foreign      
  relations. As the Prince's representative, the Minister of State also directs
  the executive services, commands the police, and presides (with voting      
  powers) over the Council of Government. The five members of the Council are 
  respectively responsible for internal affairs, external affairs, the        
  environment, finance and economy, and social affairs and health.            
                                                                       
  Under the 1962 constitution, the Prince shares his power with the unicameral
  National Council. Sixteen of the 24 members of this legislative body are    
  elected by list majority system, and 8 by proportional representation to    
  serve 5-year terms. The elections were last held on February 9, 2003, and   
  will be held next in February 2008. If the Prince dissolves the National    
  Council, new elections must be held within 3 months. Usually meeting twice  
  annually, the Council votes on the budget and endorses laws proposed by the 
  Prince.                                                                     
                                                                       
  Ordinances passed by the National Council are debated in the Council of     
  Government, as are the ministerial decrees signed by the Minister of State. 
  Once approved, the ordinances must be submitted to the Prince within 80 days
  for his signature, which makes them legally enforceable. If he does not     
  express opposition within 10 days of submission, they become valid.         
                                                                       
  Judicial power is invested in the Prince, who delegates judicial procedures 
  to the various courts, which dispense justice in his name. The independence 
  of the judges is guaranteed by the constitution. The Supreme Court is       
  composed of five chief members and two assistant judges named by the Prince 
  on the basis of nominations by the National Council and other government    
  bodies. The Supreme Court is the highest court for judicial appeals and also
  interprets the constitution when necessary. Monaco's legal system, closely  
  related to that of France, is patterned after the Napoleonic Code.          
                                                                       
  The principality's local affairs (the administration of the four quarters of
  Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, Monte Carlo, and Fontvieille) are directed by the
  Communal Council, which consists of 15 elected members and is presided over 
  by the Mayor.                                                               
                                                                       
  Principal Government Officials                                              
  Chief of State--Prince Albert II, Crown Prince                              
  Minister of State--Jean-Paul Proust                                         
  Ambassador to the United States and United Nations--Gilles Noghes           
                                                                       
  Council of Government                                                       
  Interior--Paul Masseron                                                     
  Exterior--Jean Pastorelli                                                   
  Finance and Economic Affairs--Gilles Tonelli                                
  Social Affairs and Health--Jean-Jacques Campana                             
  Environment, Equipment and Urbanism--Robert Calcagno                        
                                                                       
  National Council President--Stephane Valeri                                 
  President of Supreme Court--Roland Drago                                    
  Director of Judicial Services--Philippe Narmino                             
                                                                       
  ECONOMY                                                                     
  Monaco, located on the Mediterranean coast, has an economy primarily geared 
  toward finance, commerce, and tourism. Low taxes have drawn many foreign    
  companies to Monaco; the companies' production accounts for around 50% of the
  €593 million annual government income (2002). The enterprises pay a 33.33%  
  tax only if more than 25% of their revenue is generated abroad. Ever since  
  Monaco's famed casino opened in 1856, the tourism industry has been booming.
  It currently accounts for close to 25% of the annual revenue.               
                                                                       
  Customs, postal services, telecommunications, and banking in Monaco are     
  governed by an economic and customs union with France. The official currency
  is the euro.                                                                
                                                                       
  Though official economic statistics are not published, 2006 estimates placed
  the gross domestic product at $976.3 million and the per capita income at   
  $30,000. Monaco does not publish the figures for unemployment, but in 2005  
  the rate was estimated to be at 0%.                                         
                                                                       
  Monaco is noted for its activity in the field of marine sciences. Its       
  Oceanographic Museum, formerly directed by Jacques Cousteau, is one of the  
  most renowned institutions of its kind in the world. Monaco imports and     
  exports products and services from all over the world. There is no commercial
  agriculture in Monaco.                                                      
                                                                       
  FOREIGN RELATIONS                                                           
  Monaco actively participates in the United Nations, which it joined in 1993.
  Monaco joined the Council of Europe on October 4, 2004. Monaco also is a    
  member of many international and intergovernmental organizations, including 
  Interpol, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
  and the World Health Organization (WHO). The International Hydrographic     
  Bureau (IHB) is headquartered in Monaco.                                    
                                                                       
  The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, linked     
  closely to France by the Treaty of July 1918, which was formally noted in   
  Article 436 of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The foreign policy of Monaco
  is one illustration of this accord: France has agreed to defend the         
  independence and sovereignty of Monaco, while the Monegasque Government has 
  agreed to exercise its sovereign rights in conformity with French interests.
  Since then, the relations between the sovereign states of France and Monaco 
  have been further defined in the Treaty of 1945 and the Agreement of 1963.  
                                                                       
  In 2002, Monaco renegotiated its 1918 treaty with France. In 2005, it was   
  ratified by both parties and entered into force. The terms of the treaty:   
                                                                       
                                                                       
    * Upgrade France's representation in Monaco from Consulate General to that
      of an embassy;                                                          
    * Permit, for the first time, other countries to accredit ambassadors to  
      Monaco; and                                                             
    * Formally recognize the succession scheme set out in the 1962            
      Constitution, which extends eligibility to the Prince's daughters and   
      other family members.                                                   
                                                                       
  Although not a member of the European Union (EU), Monaco is closely         
  associated with the economic apparatus of the EU through its customs union  
  with France and its reliance upon the euro as its official currency.        
                                                                       
  Monaco has 10 diplomatic missions in Western Europe and permanent           
  representation at the United Nations and the Council of Europe. It maintains
  honorary consulates in 106 cities in 45 countries. Seventy-six countries have
  consulates general, consulates, or honorary consulates in or accredited to  
  Monaco.                                                                     
                                                                       
  U.S.-MONACO RELATIONS                                                       
  The United States and Monaco enjoy excellent relations, which both countries
  seek to maintain and strengthen. From 1956 until her death in 1982, the     
  American-born Grace Kelly was married to Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert's
  father. The United States does not yet have a diplomatic mission located in 
  Monaco.                                                                     
                                                                       
  In December 2006, the United States and Monaco upgraded from consular to full
  diplomatic relations. Shortly after, Ambassador Craig Stapleton (France) was
  accredited to Monaco, and Ambassador Gilles Noghes became the first         
  Monegasque ambassador to the United States.                                 
                                                                       
  Principal U.S. Official                                                     
  Ambassador (Paris, France)--Craig Stapleton                                 
                                                                       
  The U.S. Embassy in France is located at 2 Avenue Gabriel, Paris 8 (tel. [33]
  (1) 4312-2222). The U.S. Consulate General at Marseille is located at Place 
  Varian Fry, 13286 Marseille Cedex 6 (tel. [33]-(4)-91-54-92-00).            
                                                                       
  TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION                                             
  The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans
  traveling and residing abroad through Consular Information Sheets, Public   
  Announcements, and Travel Warnings. Consular Information Sheets exist for all
  countries and include information on entry and exit requirements, currency  
  regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political       
  disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
  Public Announcements are issued to disseminate information quickly about    
  terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that  
  pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings
  are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel 
  to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.        
                                                                       
  For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad  
  should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
  web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution,
  Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs    
  Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a
  safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For    
  additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/     
  Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.                                  
                                                                       
  The Department of State encourages all U.S citizens who traveling or residing
  abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or
  at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your
  presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an 
  emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security 
  conditions.                                                                 
                                                                       
  Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained 
  by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular   
  toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.           
                                                                       
  The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of   
  State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport         
  information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer service   
  representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 
  a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.           
                                                                       
  Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for 
  Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP
  (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the
  most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements,
  and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A   
  booklet entitled "Health Information for International Travel" (HHS         
  publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government       
  Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.                 
                                                                       
  Further Electronic Information                                              
  Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://          
  www.state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global     
  access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background    
  Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key officers of 
  Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
  provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies  
  working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov                      
                                                                       
  Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market    
  information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free
  export counseling, help with the export process, and more.                  
  STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides   
  authoritative economic, business, and international trade information from  
  the Federal government. The site includes current and historical            
  trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, 
  and country analysis and provides access to the National Trade Data Bank.   

 

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