Capital: Monaco
Administrative divisions: none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular—quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo
Independence: 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of
Grimaldi)
National holiday: National Day, 19 November
Constitution: 17 December 1962
Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir Apparent
Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch (born 14
March 1958)
head of government: Minister of State Michel LEVEQUE (since 3
February 1997)
cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; minister of state
appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national
candidates presented by the French Government
Legislative branch: unicameral National Council or Conseil
National (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 1 and 8 February 1998 (next to be held NA
January 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by
party—National and Democratic Union 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme, judges named
by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council