A sovereign and independent state, the Principality of Monaco has borders on its landward side with several communes of the French Department of the Alpes-Maritimes; from west to east these are Cap d'Ail, la Turbie, Beausoleil, and Roquebrune Cap Martin. Seawards, Monaco faces the Mediterranean.The population of the Principality consists of 29,972 inhabitants, 5,070 of whom are Monégasques, 12,047 French and 5,000 Italian (according to the last official census in 1990). Its surface area is 485 acres, of which nearly 100 were recovered from the sea during the course of the last twenty years.  It lies in a narrow coastal strip which sometimes rises vertically upwards with its highest point at 206 feet. Its width varies between .65 miles and a mere 382 yards. Its coastline is 2.5 miles long. The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the state.    Want more info?  Go to the official web site: Monaco - Official Site

I arrived in Monaco during a European cruise on Legend of the Seas, a Royal Carribean ship.   This cruise was fabulous, each day I awoke in a different country.   I have to say though that waking up in Monaco was the best.  Imagine waking up and opening your door and seeing the view below.   Browse through some of the pictures below and you will see what I mean.