Geography

A sovereign and independent state, the Principality of Monaco has borders on its landward side with several communes of the French Department of the Alpes-Maritimes; from west to east these are Cap d'Ail, la Turbie, Beausoleil and Roquebrune Cap Martin. Seawards, Monaco faces the Mediterranean.

The population of the Principality consists of 32,020 inhabitants, 8,000 of whom are Monégasques, 8,91 French and 5,454 Italian (according to the 2005 figures).

Its surface area is 494 acres, of which nearly 100 were recovered from the sea during the course of the last twenty years. It lies in a narrow coastal strip, which sometimes rises vertically upwards with its highest point at 494 feet. Its width varies between .65 miles and a mere 382 yards. Its coastline is 2.5 miles long. The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the state.

Monaco is divided into five areas:

Monaco-Ville, the old fortified town, with the Prince's Palace, the ramparts, the gardens, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.

The Condamine, the harbor area.

Monte Carlo, created in 1866, named by Prince Charles III during his reign, hosts an internationally famous Casino, its great hotels and leisure facilities, some created recently: Larvotto beach, the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, the Boulingrins Gardens.

Fontvieille is the newest area of the Principality of Monaco and was literally created from land reclaimed from the sea. This man-made waterfront area features a harbor, stadium and sports complex, heliport, and a pollution-free industrial zone, as well as some shopping areas and the new Columbus Monaco hotel.

Moneghetti, the Révoires and the Exotic Gardens (on the western border with Cap d`Ail).

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