Monaco belongs to the dwarf states and ranks 2nd in terms of area among the small countries of the world. The Grimaldi dynasty has ruled the principality since the 14th century. The country has a colorful past, but today is known as "the home of the noble and the rich", where the wealthy enjoy favorable tax conditions.

Map of Monaco. Geographical characteristic

The state of Monaco is on the coast Ligurian Sea in southern Europe. Its area is only 2.02 sq. km. The same number includes 40 hectares of seashores drained over the past 20 years. detailed map Monaco shows the country in a single urban space with the French commune of Beausoleil. The border between the two states is conditional.

The Principality is famous for having one of the best casinos in the world. Also in Monaco, on the Monte Carlo city circuit, one of the stages of the Formula 1 race called the Monaco Grand Prix is ​​held.

Another feature of the dwarf state is the privileges of the indigenous population, called the Monegasques. They make up one fifth of all residents, have their own spoken language (a mixture of French and Italian) and traditions. Monegasques are considered the titular nation, they are exempt from all taxes and, unlike foreigners, have the right to reside in the historical part of the country.

Monaco on the world map: geography, nature and climate

Usually, the state is marked with a small dot somewhere in France, so it is very difficult to find Monaco on the world map. The principality is located on the coast mediterranean sea, from the land side it is surrounded by the lands of France. Nearest Big City to Monaco - Nice. The distance between the two resorts is 18 km.

Monaco is located on steep hills Maritime Alps, so the country's relief is rocky and rugged. Mountain slopes protect the coast from northern winds. Highest point relief of the country - 163 meters. The peak is located on the southern slope of the summit Mont Agel and juts out into the sea. The southern location and mountainous terrain give rise to a subtropical climate in these parts. Monaco is characterized by:

• dry and cool summer average temperature air + 22–25 degrees;
• rainy and mild winter, during which the air temperature does not fall below +9 degrees;
• in the off-season, unstable weather and a decrease in temperature are brought by strong winds blowing both from the sea and from the hinterland of France.

Warm climate and good geographical position countries are attractive factors forcing Russian tourists look for Monaco on the map in Russian.

The flora of the Mediterranean type prevails in the principality: dwarf palms, boxwood, olives, jasmine, oaks, conifers, etc., the mountainous area is covered with evergreen shrubs.

• there are no large animals;
• of mammals, small rodents dominate;
• from birds - warblers, larks, mockingbirds;
• there are small reptiles;
• marine life is scarce (fish, molluscs, mammals).

Map of Monaco with cities. Administrative division of the country

In the past, according to the Constitution adopted in 1911, the Principality of Monaco was administratively divided into 3 communes:

• La Condamine;
• Monte Carlo;
• Monaco-Ville.

Those, in turn, were divided into separate regions. After 6 years, the Constitution was amended, as a result of which the Principality became one single community, and the former communes received the status of districts. In the early 1970s, the state expanded by draining the Mediterranean coast. As a result, the new lands of Fontvieille and Le Portier appeared.

Today, there are 4 cities in the principality, the borders of which have merged due to the density of buildings. On the map of Monaco with cities in Russian, these are:

1. Monaco-Ville – old City, which has preserved its medieval appearance, was the capital of the principality until 2007. It is located on a flat area of ​​a high rocky cliff (60 m), extending into the sea.
2. Monte Carlo- cultural and Entertainment Center, resort area. One of the oldest casinos in the world and the Grand Prix race track is located in this rich and prestigious area among the Mediterranean cliffs.
3. La Condamine- a modern business, industrial, port center. Located on the shores of the convenient Hercules Bay.
4. Fontvieille- a modern industrial and port district in the south-west of the country, located on artificial land. It was erected as a result of the creation of an underwater embankment of stone blocks and a concrete dam. Here is the Louis II multi-sport stadium and the only University in the Principality.

A little more than 35 thousand people live in the dwarf principality. This population density puts Monaco in first place in the ranking of the most densely populated countries in the world.

When we hear the word Monaco, the maximum associations that can arise are France, casinos and Grace Kelly. Many do not even know where Monaco is located on the world map. To increase the knowledge base regarding Monaco, for example, to find out where the mini-state is located, the material below will help.

Historical reference

Settlers settled on the territory of Monaco a long time ago, back in the 10th century BC. Initially, people from Phenicia settled here, later the Greeks and Monoiki made up the company. The State of Monaco has been counting its history since the beginning of the 13th century. It was then that the principality of the colony of the Republic of Genoa was founded on the territory of the country and the construction of a defensive fortress wall began.

January 8, 1297 was an epochal date in the biography of Monaco, and indeed of the whole of Europe. On that significant day, Francesco Grimaldi and his associates occupied the territory of Monaco and gave the tiny country independence from Genoa. It was Francesco Grimaldi who became the founder of the dynastic branch that ruled Monaco for seven whole centuries.

From 1641 to 1860, the Principality of Monaco was under the patronage (protectorate) first of France and then of Sardinia. In 1865 France and dwarf state concluded a customs union among themselves, which significantly strengthened the position of Monaco on the world map. In the same year, the famous casino in Monte Carlo opened its doors for the first time. These two events have helped boost the country's economy significantly.

Another jump in the economic gradation of Monaco is closely associated with the name of the Greek businessman and billionaire Aristotle Onassis (1906-1975). Thanks to the activities of this outstanding person, the country's territory expanded, the importance of the entertainment industry increased, and a local port was built.

The Principality of Monaco attracted worldwide attention in 1956, when the then head of the country, Rainier III, married the world famous actress Grace Kelly. A truly fabulous story happened, repeatedly described in books and filmed. Today, the miniature country is ruled by the son of Rainier III and Grace Kelly, Prince Albert II.

Where is Monaco

Some believe that the principality is located in the lands of France, but this is an erroneous opinion. Monaco neighbors France, however, has its own, clearly defined borders. A miniature country settled in the south of Europe, right on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. For those not in the know, the Ligurian Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea, flowing between the islands of Corsica and Liguria (hence the name). From Cote d'Azur and Nice are within easy reach of the principality: they are separated by some 20 km.

So, Monaco on the world map is located very well. But why in the article Monaco is constantly awarded with the epithets “small”, “dwarf”, “miniature”? There is no discrimination here, just the state in question is really tiny. Smaller than the Vatican! And here are the busy numbers: the area of ​​Monaco is just over two km (for comparison: Moscow's Sokolniki Park is three times larger).

The coastline stretches for more than 4 km, and the total length of the land borders is 4.4 km. True, over the past two decades, the territory of the principality has grown by as much as 40 hectares, which happened due to the drainage of spaces previously occupied by the sea. In a word, on the physical and political map the world of Monaco can barely be seen.

Climatic conditions

The location of Monaco in close proximity to the sea provides the country with a subtropical Mediterranean climate. This type is characterized by warm summers without precipitation and gentle rainy winters (the air temperature does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius). The weather in Monaco almost completely copies the weather south coast France.

Population and religion

The national composition of Monaco is heterogeneous: it includes representatives of France, Italy, Great Britain. Full subjects of the principality are the so-called Monegasques (21%). Monegasques have privileges that other citizens of the state are deprived of, for example, they can not pay taxes, have the right to settle in the old part of the city and participate in local parliament elections, etc.

Among the citizens of Monaco there are representatives of all faiths. Judaism, for example, is practiced by just over 500 inhabitants of the country, Islam by about 150. However, the majority of Monegasques are Catholic Christians. They make up almost 90% of the total population. However, the legislation of Monaco states that no one can be forced to believe in God, so the inhabitants are free to choose their own religion or remain atheists altogether.

Political structure

The internal charter of the state is regulated by the Constitution adopted in 1962. Monaco follows the principle of a constitutional monarchy with a prince at its head. The powers of the prince have no restrictions, i.e. his power is absolute. True, in 2002, constitutional amendments slightly expanded the rights of the local parliament.

Laws are passed in tandem, consisting of a prince and a parliament of 24 members. Parliamentary elections are held every 5 years. The state has several political parties such as the Union for the Principality or the National Union for the Future of Monaco. Due to its size, Monaco cannot occupy a high place on the political map.

Transport system

Monaco can be reached by railway, highway, by air or by sea. The principality does not have its own airport, but there is a heliport connecting Monaco with Nice. The main station is called Monte Carlo and is an underground station.
Directly in Monaco, locals and tourists enjoy bus routes(there are seven of them). There are also special buses and taxis plying the water.

Culture and art

Monaco has something to show its residents and visitors. Without a doubt, a small state plays a big role in a significant cultural center Europe. One of the proofs is the building of the Hall Garnier erected in 1879. The construction was carried out according to the project of the architect Charles Garnier, so the Hall received the name of its "father".

The stage of the legendary Hall regularly hosts performances by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Monte-Carlo Opera. Another cultural institution is the Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance. For many years the Academy was headed by the famous ballerina of Russian origin Marika Bezobrazova (1918-2010).

In Monaco, special awards are presented every year: the Grand Prize for Literature, the Prince Rainier III Music Prize and the International Prize for Contemporary Art. The winners are determined by the Prince Pierre Foundation, established by the ruler Rainier III in memory of his father. Every year the Principality organizes the International Circus Festival and the TV Festival. Events are held in a solid modern congress center "Grimaldi Forum".

Sights of Monaco

In whatever part of the miniature principality the guests are, they will always have something to look at.

• Monaco Ville. A corner of Monaco with a population of about 1000 people is harmoniously located on a rock 60 meters high. Cozy old streets and paths huddle together, immersing you in a unique world. The princely palace settled in this place, in which not only the head of the country lives, but also his entire family;
• Museum of Old Monaco. On the territory of the Museum there are magnificent expositions that convey the ancient spirit of the principality. Here you can see ancient books, clothes, coins, musical instruments, ceramic dishes and much more. Every Wednesday and Friday the entrance to the Museum is completely free;
• Botanical Garden of Monaco. Succulents collected from all over the world settled in this place. Rare exotic plants have made the garden a truly heavenly place, which is a must-see;
• Museum of vintage cars. The authorship of the idea of ​​creating a museum belongs to Prince Rainier III. Connoisseurs and just curious will be able to see among the exhibits the first swallows from the Lincoln, Citroen, Peugeot, Packard families, military retro cars, as well as iron horses that belonged to members of the princely family, including Princess Grace;
• Princess Grace's Rose Garden. The rose garden was created in 1984 in memory of the favorite of the Principality, Princess Grace, who died in 1982. Grace adored roses, and on a small patch of land, which is the rose garden, several thousand delicate and beautiful flowers bloomed. It is a pity that Princess Grace cannot see what beauty her subjects have created in her honor;
• Larvotto beach. The purest artificial sand and clear water greet visitors to Larvotto Beach. Romantic couples and wealthy tourists like to spend their leisure time here;
• Fort Antoine. A small but atmospheric place, which is a multi-tiered amphitheater. In the old days, the protection of the old city, Monaco Ville, was carried out from here, today free concerts and performances are held here under open sky For everyone. The capacity of the amphitheater is 350 people;
• Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The construction of the main religious building of Monaco was completed in 1875. The beautiful snow-white cathedral is the burial place of princes and princesses; church festive services are regularly held here;
• Japanese garden. Monaco has its own "little Japan" - a stylistically seasoned garden. Being in it, it seems that he got into the land of the rising sun. Small bridges, tea houses, rock gardens, ponds with goldfish, sakura thickets instantly immerse guests in the stunning world of a distant Asian country. Many decorative elements and props were brought to Monaco from Japan;
• Museum of Oceanography. The museum building rises directly from the coastal rocks, revealing an indescribable picture. For a long time (from 1957 to 1997) the museum was headed by a world-famous researcher ocean depths Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The territory of the enterprise is equipped with a library, laboratories, marine farms, specialized research centers;
• Casino Monte Carlo. One of the main attractions of Monaco is interesting not only as a gambling entertainment venue, but also as architectural structure. From the outside, the casino looks like a magnificent palace, but inside it impresses with luxurious interiors and chic furnishings. For a fee of 10 euros, you can walk through all the halls of the building and carefully examine any detail of the interior;
• Cafe de Paris. Here you can not only taste the dishes local cuisine, but also to watch casino visitors arriving in luxury cars, because the view from the cafe opens directly on the Monte Carlo casino;
• Park and Casino Square. The area near the casino is not quite ordinary, because you can’t walk on it in jeans and shabby sneakers. A special sign warns about this. Here you can see a wonderful palm park with flowers and ponds, overgrown with reeds and lilies, harmoniously “leaving” into the mountains. At night, the square is lit up with spectacular illumination, giving the place a magical look;
• La Mayenne Corniche. This is the name of the highway connecting Nice and Monaco. The highway stretched along the sea, spiraling into the mountains. When traveling by car, be sure to stop at small town Ez. In Eze, you can dine in a charming restaurant, walk along the miniature cozy streets, breathe in the cleanest air, admire the incredible landscapes of the sea and mountains.

The list of places that a tourist should definitely visit in Monaco is far from complete. But even these points will be enough to satisfy the thirst for first impressions of any guest of the principality.

Monaco is a tiny state with a lot of interesting facts:

• Monaco does not have a capital because it is a city-state (similar to the Vatican). That is, the state of Monaco and the city of Monaco are one and the same;
• the armed forces of the principality number 82 people. The military band is larger than the army by 3 people, which is the only such precedent in the world;
• the average life expectancy of a citizen of Monaco is 90 years, which is amazing in itself;
• Monaco is not part of the European Union, while using its established currency, the euro;
• the law prohibits Monegasques from playing in the casino, the gambling business flourishes and develops exclusively for tourists;
• the inhabitants of the principality do not have their own language, so they speak English, although official language considered French;
• almost the entire territory of the state is under the gun of CCTV cameras;
• the crime rate is practically zero;
• in the event of an armed conflict with other states, the protection of Monaco is carried out by France.

A tiny state is capable of receiving a huge number of guests, perhaps you, too, will once be able to visit there (if you have not already been able to).

Principality of Monaco (Principauté de Monaco) - a dwarf state associated with France, located in southern Europe on the coast of the Ligurian Sea; on land borders with France. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. The country is a member of such international organizations as: UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, Interpol, UNESCO, WHO. The main office of the International Hydrographic Organization is located in Monaco. The country has 12 diplomatic missions in Western Europe and permanent representatives to the UN and the Council of Europe.

The area of ​​the country is only 2 km², which is almost three times less than Sokolniki Park in Moscow, and the population is only 38 thousand people. The length of the coastline here is 4.1 km, the length land borders- 4.4 km. Over the past 20 years, the country's territory has increased by almost 40 hectares due to the drainage of marine areas. We will begin our acquaintance with Monaco from its easternmost part, the name of which is known throughout the world. This is Monte Carlo (in French it sounds very funny: "Monte Carlo" (with the accent, as expected, on the last syllable). It is here that the only railway station in the country is located, built inside a rock.

Directly in front of the station is the Church of St. Devota (Sainte Dévote Chapel), which has existed since the 11th century. and rebuilt many times in later times.

Every year since 1929, Monaco has hosted one of the most prestigious competitions in motorsport - the Monaco Grand Prix, which since 1950 has been part of the Formula 1 World Championship. The route runs along the streets of the city.

View from Monte Carlo central part Monaco - La Condamine, built up with modern buildings.

Buildings on Avenue d "Ostende" in Monte Carlo.

Port Hercule. In the background is the prince's palace.

One of viewing platforms Monte Carlo.

Trees on the roof of the building.

The most famous building in Monte Carlo is, of course, the casino, which was opened in 1863 to save the Grimaldi princely house from bankruptcy. The same building was built according to the project of the architect C. Garnier (the builder of the Paris Opera) in 1878 in a complex with the Garnier Hall (Salle Garnier ) , which houses the Monte Carlo Opera and the Philharmonic Orchestra.

This is a magnificent building - a real architectural masterpiece(by the way, citizens of Monaco are forbidden to play for money and visit casinos).

There is a huge mirror lens in front of the entrance to the casino.

Several views of the casino building from different sides.

Monument to composer Jules Massenet ) near the casino .

Monument to Hector Berlioz ).

View of the new buildings of Monte Carlo.

In front of the casino, on a platform above a rocky steep seashore, there is a magnificent Monte Carlo park with tropical plants and various sculptures. Here, for example, naked and fat aunt and uncle. This is how the sculptor saw Adam and Eve.

Fioura of a medieval lady.

Another view of the prince's palace, where we will soon go.

Transparent sculpture of a ballerina on the background of the sea.

Bust of the great Russian entrepreneur S.P. Diaghilev. It was here in the Monte Carlo Opera that his company "Russian Ballet" was based.

The peaks and slopes of the mountains are already France.

One of the most luxurious hotels - "Hotel De Paris" (Hotel De Paris) in Monte Carlo.

The central street of the La Condamine district is named after the princes of Grimaldi (Rue Grimaldi).

She is exceptionally clean and comfortable.

Many balconies on the street are buried in flowers.

On the rock, which rests against the street, the wall of the prince's castle is visible.

The tall buildings in the background are already in France.

The ascent begins Old city Monaco (Monaco-Ville).

Monument to Prince Rainier III (Rainier III) - the father of the now living monarch Albert II (Albert II) in front of the entrance to the old city.

Buildings on the Palace Square (Place de Palais).

Statue of Francesco (François) Grimaldi - the "Sly Man" (Italian Francesco Grimaldi La Malizia, French François Grimaldi le Rusé) - the founder of the ruling princely dynasty in Monaco. According to legend, in 1297 he, together with a group of supporters disguised as monks, knocked on the gates of the fortress. After they were let in, the “monks” pulled out swords from under their cassocks and captured the fortress with a fight. This event is depicted on the coat of arms of Monaco, which depicts two monks with swords as shield holders.

The Prince's Palace of Monaco, founded as a Genoese fortress in 1191, was then expanded and rebuilt many times. From the end of the XIII century. The palace belongs to the Grimaldi family.

One of the two palace guards.

View from the palace to Palace Square.

Everyone is allowed into the main chambers of the palace (when there are no official events there). True, photography is prohibited there.

View of the new district of Monaco, located on land reclaimed from the sea - Fontvielle.

Park next to the palace. Sea view.

Fontvey and France beyond.

Cathedral of St. Nicholas (la cathédrale de Monaco), erected of white stone in 1875 in the Romanesque style on the site of the old (XIII century) church of St. Nicholas. The cathedral is the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Monaco and serves as the tomb of the princes of Monaco.

Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice).

Another famous building Monaco - Oceanographic Museum (Musée océanographique de Monaco), which combines the museum itself and the Oceanographic Institute. The museum was founded in 1889 by Prince Albert I, and the Oceanographic Institute opened in 1906. From 1957 until his death, the famous French explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau was the director of the museum.

The museum has a wonderful collection various kinds marine fauna in the form of stuffed animals and skeletons and a large number various objects related to the sea and maritime affairs (ship models, marine instruments, weapons, etc.)

Terrace on the roof of the museum.

A state in southern Europe, on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by the territory of France.
Territory - 1.95 sq. km. The capital is Monaco.
Population - about 32.5 thousand people. (1998); of these, the native inhabitants of Monegasque - about 6 thousand, the French - about 13 thousand, the Italians about 5 thousand.
The official language is French.
Religion - Catholicism.
From the 15th century Monaco - an independent principality under the protectorate of Genoa, in 1524-1641. - under the Spanish, then under the French protectorate, in 1793-1814. - within France. The treaty, signed in 1918 between France and the principality, states that Monaco undertakes "to exercise its sovereign rights in full accordance with the political, military, maritime and economic interests of France" and must "coordinate with the French government all measures relating to international relations principalities". France represents Monaco abroad.

State structure

Monaco is a unitary state. Administratively, it consists of 4 merged districts - cities: Monaco, Monte Carlo, La Condamine and Fontvieille.
The Constitution, granted by the monarch in 1962 and replacing the first Monegasque constitution of 1911, is in force. According to the form of government, Monaco is a constitutional hereditary monarchy (principality). The political regime is democratic. Officially, there are no political parties in Monaco: there are various political organizations.
Legislative power belongs to the Prince and the National Council (parliament), consisting of 18 deputies elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage. The powers of the parliament are limited: it does not have the right to control the activities of the government, as well as to come up with legislative initiatives.
The head of state is the Prince, who, according to Article 3 of the Constitution, has executive power. The prince in Monaco appoints and dismisses the members of the government, may at any time dissolve parliament, represent Monaco in public relations and has the right to conclude and ratify treaties, issue ordinances pursuant to such treaties and laws. The prince is assisted by advisory bodies: the Council of the Crown, which advises the head of state on international treaties, the dissolution of parliament, amnesties and pardons, and the Council of State, which gives an opinion on draft ordinances and laws.
Executive power in practice is exercised by the Government Council, headed by the Minister of State (Ministre d "Etat). In accordance with the 1918 agreement between Monaco and France, 2 out of 4 seats in the Government Council are occupied by representatives of France, including the post of Minister of State. The latter is appointed by the Prince from the list three candidates proposed by the President of France The Prince also appoints the other members of the Council of Government: Adviser for the Interior, Adviser for Social Policy and Public Employment and Adviser for Finance.

Legal system

The legal system of Monaco belongs to the Romano-Germanic legal family and has significant similarities with the French legal system. In a number of areas (insurance, telecommunications, postal services, etc.), French laws directly apply.
The Constitution (Article 2) assigns to the Principality the status of a law-based state based on respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The main source of civil law is the Civil Code of 1881, which is a variant of the French Civil Code of 1804. The Commercial Code of Monaco is also very close to its French counterpart.
The economic legislation of Monaco is aimed at attracting foreign capital to the country by providing an ultra-favorable tax regime. About 800 international companies and 50 banks operate in the country.
The labor law of Monaco generally complies with international standards. Workers are free to form trade unions. The Constitution enshrines the right to strike in accordance with the law. The law prohibits civil servants from striking. The statutory working week is 39 hours.
The main source of criminal law is the Criminal Code of Monaco. The death penalty for all crimes was abolished by the Constitution of 1962 (Article 20). Last the death penalty took place in 1847.
In legal proceedings, with some exceptions, French law also dominates. According to the Constitution (Article 19), arrest (other than arrest at the scene of a crime) is allowed only on the basis of a court order issued no later than 24 hours from the moment of arrest.

Judicial system. Control bodies

According to the Constitution, judicial power belongs to the Prince, who, however, fully delegates its exercise to local courts and tribunals acting on behalf of the head of state.
The judicial system consists of justices of the peace, courts of first instance, the Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation. There is also a Supreme Court (Tribunal Supreme), consisting of 5 members and 2 deputies appointed by the Prince for 4 years. Nominations for judges are submitted, one for each seat, by Parliament, the Council of State, the Council of the Crown, the Court of Appeal and civil court first instance. The Supreme Court performs some functions of constitutional review and is the highest body of administrative jurisdiction. Judges of other courts are also appointed by the monarch and are usually French citizens.

General information about Monaco

The official name is the Principality of Monaco (La Principante de Monaco, The Principality of Monaco). Located in the southwestern part of Europe on the Mediterranean coast, it is surrounded by the territory of France from the land (border 4.4 km). The area is 1.95 km2, of which 0.4 km2 is due to the development of the seashore (in terms of its territory, Monaco surpasses only the Vatican). Population - 31.987 thousand (2002). Official language- French, Monegasque, Italian and English are also common. Capital - Monaco (more than 3 thousand people) National holiday - Day of the Princes (National Day) November 19th. Currency unit- euro (since January 2002).

Member of the UN, UNESCO, World Health Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, World Intellectual Property Organization, etc.

Geography of Monaco

Monaco is marked on the map of Europe by a point with coordinates 43°44′ north latitude 47°24′ east longitude. The country is located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, coastline rocky, indented by bays. Monaco is located in the Alpine fold zone. Most high mountains- Mont Atel (1149 m) and Monte Grammondo (1377 m). There is no agricultural land in the country. The soil is brown, in the mountains it is brown. The vegetation belongs to the general Mediterranean group - oaks, boxwood, cedar, etc. Among the cultivated trees are olive, citrus, and so on. There are no large animals preserved in Monaco. Coastal waters are poor in fish, due to the lack of suitable spawning grounds. The climate of Monaco is typical Mediterranean (January +8°С, July +24°С). The annual amount of precipitation is 1340 mm.

Population of Monaco

Population growth rate 0.45% (2002), birth rate - 9.6‰, mortality - 12.91‰, infant mortality - 5.73 people. per 1000 newborns. Average life expectancy - 79 years, incl. women - 83 years, men - 75 years. Age structure of the population: from 0 to 14 years old - 15.5%, 15-64 years old - 62.1%, 65 years and older - 22.4%. In general, despite a relatively high birth rate for European state(1.76 children per family), population growth is due to the constant influx of migrants.

The population of Monaco represents 125 nationalities. The largest groups: French - 12.8 thousand (47%), Monegasques - 5.1 thousand (16%), Italians - 5.1 thousand (16%). Indigenous people are Monegasques. The basis of the Monegasque language was French, Provencal, and also the Genoese languages. The country has a social system, in many respects similar to the French one (pensions, health insurance, maternity protection system, family benefits). Retirement for men and women - 65 years (55 years for women with 3 children). In con. 1990s the pension was $1,345 per month. By religion, 90% of the inhabitants are Catholics.

History of Monaco

On the territory of Monaco, from 1419, the rule of the house of Grimaldi begins. In 1814, the Principality gained independence and since then has been in the orbit of French influence. Monaco is a constitutional hereditary monarchy (principality). According to the Constitution of 1962, the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state operating within the framework of the basic principles of international law and special agreements with France. Administratively, the state consists of 4 merged districts-cities: Monaco, Monte Carlo, La Condamine and Fontvieille.

The head of state is the prince (since 1949 Prince Rainier III of the Grimaldi dynasty). Legislative power belongs to the prince and the National Council (a parliament consisting of 18 deputies elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage). Monegasques have the right to vote. Executive power is exercised by the Government Council headed by the Minister of State. According to the 1918 treaty between Monaco and France, 2 out of 4 seats in the Government Council are occupied by representatives of France (including the post of Minister of State). In reality, power is almost entirely concentrated in the hands of the prince. Under the prince, there is a Crown Council (7 people). The judicial system consists of courts of first instance, magistrates and appellate courts. Members of the Supreme Court (5 members and 2 assessors) are appointed by the prince for 4 years. The main political organizations are the National Democratic Union, the National Union for the Future of Monaco and the Union for the Support of the Monegasque Family. There is an association of entrepreneurs and trade unions in the country. There is no conscription in Monaco. official relationship with Russian Federation established at the consular level.

Economy of Monaco

Monaco is developing at a sustainable pace and provides its residents with high level life (national statistics are not available, so all estimates are approximate). In 1999, the GDP was $870 million ($27 million per capita). At the same time, in the 1990s GDP growth rates (1.1% on average) lagged somewhat behind population growth rates. Since the mid 1990s. there has been an increase in the budget deficit, which in 1999 amounted to 52 million dollars. This prompted the government to take a number of measures to modernize and diversify all sectors of the economy.

The preferential tax regime allows large international banks to use Monaco to create a network of banks and financial groups (in the late 1990s - 47 banks and 5 financial groups). After the removal of restrictions from France (in 1987), the banking system of Monaco is growing rapidly, especially at the expense of capital from South-East Asia. At the same time, the government assured that its confidentiality would be preserved and it would not allow the laundering of "dirty" money. This sector of the economy brings almost half of all government revenues. Another important industry bringing a quarter of government revenue is tourism. In 1998 the country was visited by 278 thousand tourists. Since the 1990s business tourism is developing in the country.

The development of industry is closely connected with the maintenance of the tourist complex and financial institutions. In 2001, the industry consisted of enterprises in the chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries (45%), enterprises in the production of plastics (23%), printing goods (6%), mechanical workshops (5%), textile enterprises (3%), food (2 %), others (4%). The state provides financial and fiscal benefits to owners if they open their enterprises in the territory of the principality.

Monaco has 1,100 different trading companies and 400 wholesale companies. In total, trade, the hotel sector and restaurants account for 40% of business turnover. The country has monopolies in the sale of tobacco, telephone and postal services. More than half of the total workforce employed in enterprises and institutions are residents of neighboring regions of France and Italy, although in con. 1990s Monaco has registered an unemployment rate of 3%.

Science and culture of Monaco

School education covers all children from 6 to 16 years old (first stage - 5 years, second - 7 years). In all schools, education is carried out mainly according to the program adopted in France. Some features: religious course, history of Monaco, Monegasque language; from the 6th grade is intensively studied English language. 6.3% of the budget is spent on education.