Monaco, a small and affluent state, lies in southern Europe, bathed by the Ligurian Sea. Here are some fascinating facts about this remarkable principality:
- Compact Size: Monaco covers a mere 2.02 square kilometers. As of 2011, it’s home to 35,986 people, making it a densely populated area.
- World’s Second Smallest Country: Excluding the Vatican, Monaco is the smallest sovereign state globally.
- Casino Exclusivity for Foreigners: Monaco’s laws prohibit its citizens from gambling in casinos, catering exclusively to foreigners.
- A Walkable Nation: You can traverse Monaco’s streets and visit all its landmarks in less than an hour, a testament to its compact size.
- Tax-Free for Locals: Native Monégasques enjoy the privilege of not paying taxes.
- Educational Opportunities: The principality boasts its own university.
- High Police Presence: With around 500 officers, Monaco has the highest police per capita in the world.
- Surveillance State: Nearly every inch of Monaco is under CCTV surveillance.
- Distinctive Flag: Monaco’s flag, split into red and white stripes, resembles the flag of Indonesia and is among Europe’s oldest.
- Outside the EU: Despite being a part of various international organizations, Monaco is not an EU member.
- Majority Non-Citizens: Only 20% of Monaco’s population are permanent residents, while the rest are tourists, businessmen, and millionaires.
- Pricy Real Estate: Property prices in Monaco start at around 30,000 euros per square meter.
- Commuter Workforce: Approximately 30,000 foreigners commute daily to work in Monaco from France.
- The Glamour of Monaco Grand Prix: Since 1929, the Grand Prix has been a prestigious, glamorous event, one of the most significant in car racing.
- Subterranean Transport: The main train station and most of the railway in Monaco are underground.
- Europe’s Balcony: Renowned for its beautiful beaches and greenery, Monaco is second only to Vienna in terms of urban vegetation.
- Guard Change at the Palace Square: A popular tourist attraction, the guard change at the Prince’s Palace is accompanied by a brass band, a tradition spanning many years.
- Helicopter Rules: Helicopter owners in Monaco are restricted to 20-minute flights per day.
- Currency: Since 2002, the euro has been Monaco’s official currency.
- Religious Freedom: While Catholicism is the official religion, the constitution allows freedom of other religions.
- Cinematic Liberties: Monaco is one of the few countries where live ammunition can be used in film productions.
- First Casino in Europe: Monaco is home to Europe’s first casino.
- Longevity: The average lifespan in Monaco is 90 years.
- Royal Athlete: The Prince of Monaco has participated five times in the Winter Olympics as a bobsleigh team member.
- Sporting Facilities: The country has one stadium, “Louis II,“ and its own football team.
- Low Crime Rate: Monaco boasts one of the lowest crime rates worldwide.
- Luxury Car Haven: Monte-Carlo is famous for its abundance of luxury cars.
- Elevators and Escalators: Seven escalators and lifts facilitate movement between the lower city and the historical center.
- No Homelessness: Monaco has effectively eradicated homelessness.
- Language Diversity: While French is the official language, Italian and English are also widely spoken.
