CitiSpot: Small Wonder

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Small Wonder - Monaco

Monaco ( /ˈmɒnəkoʊ/), officially the Principality of Monaco (French: Principauté de Monaco; Monégasque: Principatu de Múnegu; Italian: Principato di Monaco; Occitan: Principat de Mónegue), is a microstate located in South Western Europe on the northern central coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy. Its area is 2.02 km² (0.78 sq mi) with an estimated population of almost 33,000.

Monaco is the second smallest country (by size) in the world; only the Vatican City is smaller.
With a total area of 2.02 square kilometres (0.78 sq mi), a land border of 5.469 kilometres (3.4 mi) and a coast measuring 3.829 kilometres (2.4 mi) the Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world, after the Vatican City. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Nice, France, and is surrounded on three sides by France and on the fourth by the sea into which its maritime claims extend to 22.2 kilometres (13.8 mi). Its highest point is 163 metres (535 ft) above sea level, on the southern slopes of Mont Agel whose 1,109 m (3,638 ft) peak is in France. The country has no natural resources.

Two of Monaco's main sources of income are tourism and casino; each year many are attracted to its casino and pleasant climate. Monaco's own citizens are not allowed to gamble in the casino.
Monaco levies no income tax on individuals.