Monaco

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate in Western Europe. Situated on the French Riviera, it is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east, and west, with the Mediterranean Sea to the south; the Italian region of Liguria is about 15 km (9.3 mi) east. With a population of 38,423 living in an area of 2.08 km² (0.80 sq mi), Monaco is the second smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City, as well as the most densely populated.

Did you know that:
1. Monaco has the world's shortest national coastline of any non-landlocked nation, at 3.83 km (2.38 mi).
2. It was founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, and it was called Monoikos (monos "alone/single" and oikos "house").
3. In 1297, Monaco was seized by Francesco Grimaldi from Genoa. Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi family ever since.
4. Monaco’s flag is identical to Indonesia’s (apart from its dimensions), although this is entirely coincidental. The horizontal red and white stripes represent the traditional colors of Monaco’s coat of arms and royal family which date back to at least 1339.
5. As of 2026, Monaco continues to have the highest density of millionaires in the world, with exceptionally high property prices ($53,000 to over $100,000 per square meter), making it nearly impossible for anyone below a high-net-worth threshold to reside there.
6. One of Monaco’s most famous landmarks is the Casino de Monte Carlo. Opened in 1866, the marble-and-gold casino is regarded as one of the world’s most exclusive establishments.
7. Despite this, it’s illegal to gamble in Monte Carlo if you're from Monaco. This bizarre law started in 1854 when Prince Charles III wanted to protect locals from losing their money while still attracting rich tourists. Get caught gambling as a Monaco citizen and you'll be arrested and prosecuted.
8. Monaco is one of countries that does not have a single UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Monaco is famous for its Formula One race, the Monte Carlo Grand Prix. The street circuit has held races since 1929, and the race was in the inaugural F1 championship in 1950.