Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco (French: Principaut de Monaco (French pronunciation: [pr sipoted() m nako]); Mon as!

!ue: Principatu de Mnegu; "talian: Principato di Monaco; #ccitan: Principat de Mnegue), is a so$erei n city%state, located on the French &i$iera in 'estern (urope) "t is *ordered *y France on three sides; one side *orders the Mediterranean +ea) Monaco has an area of ,)-, km, (-)./ s! mi) and a population of 01,0.2; Monaco is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the 3orld) Monaco has a land *order of 4)4 km (,). mi), a coastline of 4)2 km (,)5 mi), and a 3idth that $aries *et3een 2,.-- and 046 m (5,5.. and 2,245 ft)) 7he hi hest point in the country is a narro3 path3ay named 8hemin des &$oires on the slopes of Mont 9 el, in the :es &$oires Ward, 3hich is 212 metres (5,/ feet) a*o$e sea le$el) Monaco;s most populous Quartier is Monte 8arlo and the most populous Ward is :ar$otto<=as Moulins) 7hrou h land reclamation, Monaco;s land mass has e>panded *y t3enty percent) Monaco is a principality o$erned under a form of constitutional monarchy, 3ith ?rince 9l*ert "" as head of state) 9lthou h ?rince 9l*ert "" is a constitutional monarch, he still has immense political po3er)[2-] 7he @ouse of Arimaldi ha$e ruled Monaco, 3ith *rief interruptions, since 2,6.)[22] 7he official lan ua e is French, *ut Mon as!ue, "talian, and (n lish are 3idely spoken and understood) 7he state;s so$erei nty 3as officially reco niBed *y the Franco%Mone as!ue 7reaty of 2/12, 3ith Monaco *ecomin a full Cnited Dations $otin mem*er in 2660) Eespite Monaco;s independence and separate forei n policy, its defense is the responsi*ility of France) @o3e$er, Monaco does maintain t3o small military units) (conomic de$elopment 3as spurred in the late 26th century 3ith the openin of its first casino, Monte 8arlo, and a rail3ay connection to ?aris)[2,] +ince then, the principality;s mild climate, splendid scenery, and am*lin facilities ha$e contri*uted to Monaco;s status as a premier tourist destination and recreation center for the rich and famous) @o3e$er, in more recent years Monaco has *ecome a maFor *ankin center and has successfully sou ht to di$ersify its economy into the ser$ices and small, hi h%$alue%added, non%pollutin industries) 7he state has no income ta>, lo3 *usiness ta>es, and is 3ell kno3n for *ein a ta> ha$en)