Monaco is a tiny city-state on the French Riviera, the world's second-smallest country by area after Vatican City, and the most densely populated sovereign state in the world. Synonymous with luxury, it is home to the famous Monte Carlo Casino, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, and a high concentration of the world's wealthiest individuals. The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since 1297, making it one of the world's oldest ruling dynasties.
Population and area are rounded.
Red and white have been the colours of the House of Grimaldi, which has ruled Monaco since the 13th century, and come from its red-and-white lozenges. The current flag was adopted in 1881. It is nearly identical to Indonesia's, which led to a disagreement when Indonesia adopted its flag in 1945; neither country changed, and the two differ only in proportions.
Monaco is the world's second-smallest country, at about 2 square kilometres. The Grimaldi family took the fortress in 1297 when François Grimaldi entered it disguised as a Franciscan monk, which is why two monks holding swords support the princely coat of arms.
Horizontal red-over-white in a roughly 4:5 ratio. Indonesia is wider (2:3). Poland is white-over-red.
Monaco has no income tax, making it a magnet for the world's wealthiest people.
Monaco's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Every flag that has flown over Monaco, from today back through time.
Adopted in 1881 from the Grimaldi heraldic colors, this simple red-over-white bicolour is among the world's oldest continuous national flags. It is nearly identical to Indonesia's flag, differing mainly in proportion.
Before the modern bicolour, Monaco flew a white flag bearing the Grimaldi dynasty's red-and-white lozenge coat of arms with crown and supporters.
Two Riviera towns that broke away from Monaco in 1848 and were eventually sold to France, shrinking the principality to its present tiny size.
Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Monaco.
The Grimaldi armorial banner of red-and-white lozenges, the dynasty's historic flag before Monaco adopted its plain red-over-white bicolour in 1881.
Monaco shares a land border with one country: France.
17 other national flags use the same main colours as Monaco's.
Austria
Bahrain
Canada
Denmark
Georgia
Indonesia
Japan
Latvia
Malta
Peru
Poland
Qatar
Singapore
Switzerland
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkey
France