FACTS

Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy

Area (only Total) total: 1.95 sq km

Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky

Population: 32,796

Main Language (only first): French

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital (Name): Monaco

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+1

Independence: 1419

National holiday: National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 27 Sainte-Dévote, patron saint of the Principality

March 21 Good Friday

March 23 Easter

March 24 Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

May 1 Ascension (Govt. employees only)

May 11 Whit Sunday (Pentecost)

May 12 Whit Monday

May 22 Corpus Christi

August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Government employees only)

November 1 All Saints Day

November 19 National Day

December 8 Immaculate Conception

December 24 Christmas Eve (Half day for government employees)

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 New Year's Eve (St Sylvester, half day)

Weekend: Saturday, Sunday