Monaco in 3 facts

Tucked between two irresistibly charming countries—France and Italy—Monaco is still very much a world of its own. With its princes and princesses, the legendary Grand Prix, glittering casinos, and breathtaking coastal views, it continues to fascinate just about everyone—from casual tourists to the global elite. No wonder this tiny city-state keeps making headlines around the world. But beyond the usual clichés, Monaco holds a few surprises—some of them quite unexpected. The first one is simple but striking: Monaco is the second smallest country on Earth, just after the Vatican. You can spot it easily enough on a world map, but the numbers really put it into perspective. The entire country covers only 202 hectares. By comparison, New York’s Central Park alone is 139 hectares larger. Let that sink in for a moment. Yet, Monaco makes the most of every square meter—especially when it comes to security. In addition to a nationwide, round-the-clock CCTV network, the country has about one police officer for every 73 residents. These officers are handpicked from the French police and go through two full years of intensive training before joining the force in Monaco. Knowing that, it’s easy to see why the Principality is considered one of the safest places in the world. When it’s not the police keeping things in check, it’s the laws. In Monaco, there’s just no room for careless mistakes. Take this rule, for instance: residents aren’t allowed to gamble at the local casinos. It may sound strange, but this ban dates all the way back to the 19th century—and it turned out to be a clever move by Prince Charles III. On one hand, it brought in much-needed income from foreign visitors, especially since gambling was illegal in many of their home countries. On the other, it protected locals from the financial pitfalls of gambling, helping to stabilise the economy at the time. Times may have changed, but that law is still on the books. It’s a surprising rule in a country so famous for its casinos, wealth, and high-stakes glamour—but that’s Monaco for you.