Monaco:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of Monaco:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a principality was established in 1338. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.

Location	Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates	43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references	Europe
Area	total: 1.95 sq km land: 1.95 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries	total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline	4.1 km
Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate	Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain	hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources	none
Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005)
Irrigated land	NA
Natural hazards	NA
Environment - current issues	NA
Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note	second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban