The Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world after the Vatican City. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, 18 kilometres east of Nice and near the Italian border. It is surrounded on three sides by France. It consists of a narrow strip along the coast at the bottom of the foothills of the Alps and its highest point is Mont Agel at 140 m.

The population of the Principality consists of 29,972 inhabitants, 5,070 of whom are Monιgasques, 12,047 French and 5,000 Italian (according to the last official census in 1990).

Its surface area is 195 hectares, of which nearly 40 were recovered from the sea during the course of the last twenty years.

The best time to visit Monaco is May - October, although August can be hot and humid. Winters are moderate, but too cold for swimming or lying on the beach.