Principality of Monaco

Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. Only around 25% of residents are Monégasque nationals. It is recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of Monaco is French. Monégasque, English and Italian are also spoken and understood by many residents. With an area of 2.08 km2 (0.80 square miles), Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City. Its population of 38,341 makes it the most densely populated sovereign state. Monaco has the world’s shortest national coastline: 3.83 km (2.38 miles).  The principality is about 15 km (9.3 miles) from the border with Italy and consists of nine administrative wards, the largest of which is Monte Carlo.

Monaco’s mild climate, scenery, and gambling facilities have contributed to its status as a tourist destination and recreation centre for the rich. It is a tax haven; it has no personal income tax (except for French citizens) and also has low business taxes. Over 30% of residents are millionaires, with real estate prices reaching €100,000 per square metre (2018). It is a global hub of money laundering, and (2024) the Financial Action Task Force placed Monaco under increased monitoring to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. It is not part of the European Union, but participates in certain EU policies, including customs and border controls. Through its relationship with France, Monaco uses the euro as its sole currency.

Monaco – ©Tobi 87 CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Jurassic limestone is a prominent bedrock which is locally karstified. The highest point in the country is at the access to the Patio Palace residential building on the Chemin des Révoires 539 feet above sea level.  The lowest point in the country is the Mediterranean Sea. Saint-Jean brook is the longest flowing body of water, around 0.19 km (620 feet) in length, and Fontvieille is the largest lake, approximately 0.5 ha (1.2 acres) in area. Monaco’s most populated quartier is Monte Carlo, and the most populated ward is Larvotto/Bas Moulins. Some land is being reclaimed from the sea.

Monaco has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with strong maritime influences, with some resemblances to the humid subtropical climate. As a result, it has balmy warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The winters are very mild considering the city’s latitude, being as mild as locations located much further south in the Mediterranean Basin. Cool and rainy interludes can interrupt the dry summer season, the average length of which is also shorter. Summer afternoons are infrequently hot (indeed, temperatures greater than 30 °C are rare) as the atmosphere is temperate because of constant sea breezes. On the other hand, the nights are very mild, due to the fairly high temperature of the sea in summer. Generally, temperatures do not drop below 20 °C in this season. In the winter, frosts and snowfalls are extremely rare and generally occur once or twice every ten years.

Birding Monaco

Green areas of the micro-state are limited, but the nature of the rocky area does mean that wildlife does occupy some niches. As the principality is also eco-aware around 20% is greenery with parks and leafy neighbourhoods with private gardens.

Japanese Gardens – ©Einaz80 CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

In additions there are some public parks & gardens and a zoo which does mean some birds are resident or visit. Even a few deer, foxes and weasels have a toehold.

There are several gardens in Monaco, which are in a variety of styles and purpose. There is an exotic plant garden, Saint Martin garden, African plants garden, Casino Gardens, Princess Grace Rose Garden, and a Japanese Gardens.

While it cannot be considered a birding destination, sharp-eyed visitors can encounter a broad cross-section of Mediterranean bird species.