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The principality of Monaco and city of Monte Carlo lie on the southern Mediterranean Sea coast of France, close to the border with Italy, in Southern Europe. It is the 2nd smallest sovereign state in the world (after the Vatican) and is almost completely urban. With no natural resources to develop other than its location and atmosphere, the principality has become an option for tourists and a tax refuge for businesses. Monaco is six times the size of the Vatican. Though it has lost the title of world's most thickly populated city to Macau, it remains by far the world's most thickly populated autonomous country with 2nd position Singapore covering some 10,000 people per square kilometer behind. Religion: The authorized religion is Roman Catholicism, with liberty of other religions definite by the constitution. There are five Catholic parish churches in Monaco and one cathedral presided over by an archbishop. Environment: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

History: Fiscal expansion was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's gentle climate, marvelous scenery, and betting facilities have made Monaco world famous as a visitor and leisure center. Monaco first gained its name from the nearby Phocaean Greek colony, in the sixth century BC, which referred to the Ligurians as Monoikos, from the Greek "single house", from "alone, single" + "house", which bears the sense of a people either settled in a "single territory" or of "living apart" from others. According to an ancient saga, Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods. As a result a temple was constructed there by Phocaeans, the temple of Hercules Monoikos. Because the only temple of this area was the "House" of Hercules, the city was called Monoikos.

Languages: French (official), Italian, English, Monegasque. Monaco is the world’s most thickly populated autonomous country, and the world's smallest French-speaking country. Drink: Champagne has the type of a national beverage in Monaco. (A single glass can cost as much as €40 at a stylish restaurant!) Sports: Football in Monaco is devastatingly conquered by AS Monaco FC, a club which plays in the French League, which they have won on seven occasions. The Monte Carlo Masters is presently held yearly in neighboring Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, as a professional tournament for men as part of tennis' ATP Masters Series. The tournament has been held since 1897. Golf's Monte Carlo Open was also held at the Monte Carlo Golf Club at Mont Agel in France between 1984 and 1992. Monaco has also competed in the Olympics, although, as of 2008, no athlete from Monaco has ever won an Olympic medal.