Country's Full Name: Principality of Monaco; Principaute de Monaco

Brief History: The name of the country was gained from the Greeks which referred people living in as "single house". The current ruling Grimaldi family took control of the principality in 1297 when the founder Francois Grimaldi captured the fortress with the famous "rock of Monaco". Nazi forces and the Italian army seized it in 1943, getting liberated with their collapse. Since 1911, it is the constitutional monarchy. Monaco joined UN in 1993 becoming second smallest country (after Vatican City). Monaco is not part of European Union but closely linked to it through France. Monaco prints it own Euro coins with Monegasque design.

What is the country known for: Principally a tourist haven, the country is famous for scenic beauty, mild climate, beaches and casinos. International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognizes it as tax haven attracting many billionaires for "tax refuge".

Main Industries: Tourism is the main industry along with construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products

Main Trading Partners: Exports: $716.3 million; note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005)
Imports: $916.1 million; note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005)

Major Cities: Monte Carlo

Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E

Size: total: 1.95 sq km; Coastline: 4.1 km; about the size of New York's Central Park.

Time Zone: Monaco uses these time zone codes
CET = Central European Time = UTC (GMT) 1 hours
CEST = Central European Summer Time = UTC (GMT) 2 hours

Type of Government: Monaco is a constitutional monarchy ruled by Prince Albert II. Unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms). The principality's local affairs are directed by the Communal Council, which consists of fifteen elected members and is presided over by the mayor.

National Holidays:
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
27 Jan Saint-Devote's Day.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
13 May Ascension.
24 May Whit Monday.
3 Jun Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
19 Nov Monaco National Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Population and breakdown:
32,671 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 2,514/female 2,394)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 10,047/female 10,312)
65 years and over: 22.7% (male 3,019/female 4,385)
Median age: 45.5 years (male: 43.4 years/female: 47.4 years)
Life expectancy at birth: 79.82 years (male: 75.99 years/female: 83.85 years)

Religion: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%;
Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%

Language: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Local Customs:
Swimsuits, bare chests and bare feet are restricted to beaches and swimming areas only. Appropriate dress is required for visits to religious buildings (Monaco is largely Roman Catholic). Jacket and tie are required at the Casino.

Best Time to go: Monaco enjoys a mild, pleasant Mediterranean climate, averaging about 300 days of sunshine a year. Summer temperatures are usually in the 80-84º F (26-29ºC) range, while winter temperatures range between 48ºF and 58ºF (8-14ºC). July and August are the hottest months, while spring and autumn are perfect times to travel to Monaco as temperatures are at their mildest.

Currency: Euro is the official currency of Monaco
1USD = 0.632 Euro
1GBP = 0.805 Euro

Customs Regulations:
Tobacco:200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250g tobacco
exceeding 22% and sparkling wine; and 2 litres of table wine (over 17)

Tipping:
Like other European countries, service charges are included in the bill. Tipping can be done for exceptional service. Porters, valets and hair dressers may be tipped up to Euro 5.