GENERAL

Official name of the state

Principality of Monaco.

Capital

Monaco-Ville.

Geography

According to topschoolsintheusa, the Principality of Monaco is located on the French Riviera near the Italian border at the foot of the French Alpes-Maritimes. It is bounded in the south by the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco is divided into four boroughs. Monaco-Ville is located on a rocky promontory. The Grimaldi family, the oldest still ruling European royal house, resides in the Palais du Prince. The port area is called La Condamine. Monte Carlo is the business center; theaters, cinemas, casinos and other entertainment centers are also concentrated here. New industrial plants and residential areas are being built in Fontvieille.

Government

Parliamentary principality since 1962. Constitution of 1962. Unicameral parliament: National Council (Conseil National) with 24 members. The head of government is appointed on the proposal of France and is under the authority of Prince Albert II. Independent since 1489 (falls to France when the Grimaldi dynasty dies).

Head of state

Prince Albert II, since 2005.

Head of government

Minister of State Serge Telle, since February 2016.

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz.

Time zone

Central European Time: CET +2 (CET +3 from March 26 to October 29, 2017)

ON THE GO

Traveling in the city

Regular bus services with buses and minibuses. There are a total of seven bus routes available.
Line 1: Monaco-Ville – Saint-Roman and back.
Line 2: Monaco-Ville – Jardin Exotique and back.
Line 4: train station – casino – Larvotto (beaches) and back.
Line 5: train station – Fontvieille – hospital and back.
Line 6: Fontvieille – Casino – Larvotto (beaches) and back.
Line 7: train station – Condamine and back.

On weekdays the buses run between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at intervals of approx. 10 minutes. (Every 20 minutes on Sundays and public holidays between 7.30 a.m. and 9 p.m.)
Timetables with exact departure times are posted at each stop. Unit fares. Inexpensive collective tickets (8 trips) are available.

Taxi stands: including at the Place du Casino, in front of the Monaco-Monte Carlo train station and on Avenue Princesse Grace. A surcharge is required after 10 p.m. Taxis can also be requested by telephone (Tel: 15 01 01), advance booking for longer journeys is possible.

Rental cars with or without a driver from Avis, Europcar and Hertz, among others.

Note: The access to Monaco-Ville is i. General only vehicles registered in Monaco or in the French department of Alpes-Maritimes. However, all other main roads are open to all vehicles.

Unleaded petrol is available at almost every petrol station.

Documentation: National driver’s license. For nationals of EU and EFTA countries, the car license plate is used as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are advised to take the International Green Insurance Card with them in order to benefit from full insurance protection in the event of damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. The green card can also make it easier to record accidents.

Traffic regulations:
wear seat belts.

Speed limits:
50 km / h throughout the principality.

MONEY

Currency

1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in the denominations of 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Credit cards

All major international credit cards are accepted. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.

ATMs

EC / Maestro card / Sparcard
With EC / Maestro card and PIN number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs throughout Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay with the ec- / Maestro card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in Europe. With the Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the Plus logo.

Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.

Bank opening times

Banks are generally open Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Banks are closed on the afternoons before public holidays. Credit Foncier de Monaco, near the casino, is open daily from 12 noon to 11 p.m., including weekends and bank holidays.

Foreign exchange regulations

For details on exchange rates and foreign exchange regulations, see France.

Currency Exchange

Numerous exchange offices are open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., some longer.
ATMs that are accessible 24 hours a day are located in the Crédit Foncier de Monaco, Le Shangri-La 11, Boulevard Albert-ler, La Condamine and in the Center Commercial de Fontvieille, avenue Prince-Héréditaire-Albert, Fontvieille.

LANGUAGE

Overview

The official language is French. Monegasque (related to Ligurian and Provencal) is spoken by only a small part of the population. Italian and English are colloquial languages.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

DUTY-FREE SHOPPING

Overview

The same import regulations apply as for France.

ECONOMY

Business etiquette

A suit and tie or costume are appropriate for business visits. Appointments are usually made. The atmosphere at business meetings is formal. It is considered impolite to start a conversation in French and then continue speaking in German.

Business hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Economy

Conseil Economique et Social (Chamber of Commerce), 8 Rue Louis Notari, MC-98000. Tel: 93 30 20 82. Internet: www.monaco.gouv.mc.
Further addresses see France.

Business contacts

Conseil Economique et Social (Chamber of Commerce), 8 Rue Louis Notari, MC-98000. Tel: 93 30 20 82. Internet: www.monaco.gouv.mc.
Further addresses see France.

COMMUNICATION

Phone

Dial-up remote service.

Cellphone

GSM 900. Network operators are Itineris Orange (Internet: www.orange.fr), SFR (Internet: www.monaco-telecom.mc) and Bouygues (Internet: www.bouyguestelecom.fr).

Internet

Main provider: Monaco Internet (Internet: www.monaco.net). There is an internet café.

Post Office

Monaco has its own stamps, the same fees apply as in France. The main post office is located in Scala Palace, Beaumarchais Square. Opening times: Mo-Fr 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Sa 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

SHOP

Overview

Perfume, ceramics, clothing, hosiery, shoes, books, jewelry, chocolate and embroidery.

Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6.30 p.m.

NIGHTLIFE

Introduction

The casino is one of the biggest attractions. The casino cabaret and the Salle Garnier, the beautiful opera, are located in the same building. There are other casinos in the Sporting Club Monte Carlo, the Café de Paris and the Grand Hotel. There are two cinemas and numerous nightclubs and discos. In summer, international films (original) are shown in an open-air cinema every evening.

CULINARY

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

Monaco has some of the best hotels in the world. For more information, please contact the Direction du Tourisme et des Congrès de la Principauté de Monaco (see addresses) and the Association de l’Industrie Hôtelière Monégasque, 9 avenue Prince Pierre, MC-98000 Monaco. Tel: 92 05 64 91. (Internet: www.monte-carlo.mc). Only those hotels whose facilities and services meet the minimum standards established by ministerial decree may use the name Hôtel de tourisme.

Categories: 1- to 4-star hotels with the suffix P for “Palace”. There are a total of 19 hotels, four of which are 4-star palace hotels.

Other accommodation options

The address of the Center de la Jeunesse Princesse Stephanie is 45 Avenue des Papalins, MC-98000 Monaco (Tel: 93 50 75 05. Internet: http://www.youthhostel.asso.mc/). The hostel is open to young people up to 26 years old (students up to 31 years old).

CULTURE

Religion

90% Catholics; 6% Protestants; Orthodox and Jewish minorities.

Social rules of conduct

Clothing: More elegant clothing is expected in exclusive restaurants and hotels, in casinos and in nightclubs.

Manners: you shake hands in greeting; Like in France, friends and acquaintances are kissed on both cheeks.

You shouldn’t smoke while eating.

Tipping: Tipping is already included in the bills of almost all hotels and restaurants, otherwise 15% is usual (also for taxi drivers)

CLIMATE

Best travel time

Pleasant Mediterranean climate all year round. Warmest months July and August. Mild winter.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +377 Area (sqkm) 2 Population 37731 Population density (per sqkm) 18866 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 112