Monaco

In brief

Monaco is a country in Western Europe. Its capital is Monaco. With 38,341 inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 189th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 2 km². It shares land borders with France.

GDP per capita stands at $288,002 (2024), 1st in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 86.5 years (2024). 100% of the population lives in cities.

History of Monaco

A former Genoese stronghold, the Rock of Monaco was seized in 1297 by François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk according to tradition. His family has ruled the principality ever since, long under Spanish, French and then Sardinian protection. In 1861 Monaco ceded Menton and Roquebrune to France; the Monte-Carlo casino opened soon after and made its fortune. The country adopted a constitution in 1911 and joined the UN in 1993.

Geography of Monaco

The second-smallest state in the world after the Vatican, at about 2 km², Monaco is also the most densely populated. Wedged between the Mediterranean and the French Alpes-Maritimes, it has reclaimed land from the sea, as at Fontvieille.

Map of Monaco

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Flag of Monaco

The flag of Monaco is red and white. Its official proportions are 4:5 (height to width).

• White50%
• Red50%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Red over white, the colours of the Grimaldis. It is almost identical to Indonesia’s flag; only its proportions, 4 by 5, set it apart.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Monaco” and “Flag of Monaco”.

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Fact file

Economy and society