The Principality of Monaco (Principauté de Monaco) is a tiny European state (Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, after Vatican City) located in southern France, 10 km from the border with Italy, completely surrounded to the north, east and west of the French territory, facing south towards the Mediterranean Sea. 

The principality of Monaco is a hereditary constitutional monarchy, governed by the Grimaldi dynasty, the country is not part of the European Union. There are three towns that make up the principality, the capital Monaco, the center of Monte Carlo and La Condamine. Monaco is the world’s most densely populated sovereign country.

The territory of the principality is situated between the extreme southern extension of the Maritime Alps and the Mediterranean. In the economy of the country great importance has ever tourism, but increasingly have become major financial activities, thanks to a favorable tax policy, it has also encouraged the industry that has chemical plants, pharmaceutical, mechanical, textile and clothing.