Monaco

Monaco isn’t quite part of France, but it may as well be. It’s a principality ruled over by a prince, and is located in the middle of the Cote d’Azur, also called the French Riviera.

With beaches, beautiful views of the sea and mountains, and renowned gambling and sports facilities, Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco, is one of the most well-known playgrounds for the rich in the world. Almost all of Monte Carlo’s wealth derives from tourism.

A fairy-tale principality where aristocrats play baccarat and the Casinos, throw glamorous parties on the decks of their yachts. It's all true, except for the fairy tales and aristocrats. Today's yacht owners are more likely to be tax-dodging millionaires from the world of industry and high finance than deposed kings, and the crowd at the Casino on any given night may include corporate incentive groups or insurance brokers from the Monte Carlo Convention Centre. As for the fairy tales, the tabloid writers who chronicle the exploits of Prince Rainier’s children mostly spin them.

Understanding the Geography

The Principality of Monaco, more commonly known as Monaco, is a constitutional monarchy and city-state in Western Europe located along the French Riviera between the Mediterranean Sea and France . Affluent Monaco is one of the five European microstates.

Monaco is the most densely populated country in the world and the world's second-smallest independent country with a population of just 32,410 and an area of 1.95 square kilometers (481.9 acres). It has more millionaires per capita than any other country in the world. It is the smallest French-speaking country in the world.

Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world, after Vatican City. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Nice and near the Italian border. It is surrounded on three sides by the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Region of France. It consists of a narrow strip along the coast at the bottom of the foothills of the Alps and its highest point is "Le Rocher" at 140 metres (459 ft).

Monaco is a narrow coastal strip. Its physical geography includes a long beach, which accounts for a vast part of Monaco's border, and steep cliffs that rise vertically upwards to heights of 63 metres (206 ft) above sea level.

Climate Conditions

The principality is noted for its mild, sunny climate. The average minimum temperature in January and February is 8 °C (47 °F); in July and August the average maximum temperature is 26 °C (78 °F).