Geography of Monaco

Satellite map: Warning - the yellow line is highly inaccurate, increasing Monaco's landmass by about eight-fold.

The whole territory of Principality of Monaco

With a total area of 1.95 square kilometres (0.75 sq mi) a land border of 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi) and a coast measuring 4.1 kilometres (2.5 mi) the Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world, after the Vatican City. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Nice, France, and is surrounded on three sides by France and on the fourth by the sea into which its maritime claims extend to 22.2 kilometres (13.8 mi). Its highest point is 163 metres (535 ft) above sea level, on the southern slopes of Mont Agel whose 1,109 m (3,638 ft) peak is in France. The country has no natural resources.

Suburbs and features

Monaco has historically been divided into four sections, or 'quartiers': Monaco-Ville, the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean; La Condamine, the section along the port; Monte Carlo, the principal residential and resort area; and Fontvieille, a newly constructed area reclaimed from the sea. However, the suburb of Moneghetti, the high-level part of the quartier of La Condamine, is generally seen today as an effective fifth area of the principality, and the official tourist board website of Monaco now defines the country as having five quartiers. Moneghetti certainly has a very distinct atmosphere and topography when compared with low-level La Condamine at the harbour-side. In terms of administration and electoral division the principality is officially divided into ten Wards, with an eleventh planned after further land reclamation work.

The principality, which is entirely an urban area, is noted for its beautiful, hilly, rugged, and rocky natural scenery and its sunny climate. Ello Ello mate, let's put some shrimp on the barby aye.

Location

43°44′N 7°24′E

Climate

Monaco has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers moderated by the proximity of the Mediterranean. The average minimum temperature in January and February is 8 °C (46 °F); in July and August the average maximum temperature is 26 °C (79 °F).

See also

• Extreme points of Monaco