Abstract: A monitoring system of a specific area comprising monitor terminals each having an image pickup unit and disposed to move on a moving means in an area being monitored, and a monitor which can display at least a monitor image picked up by the image pickup unit. The monitoring system of a specific area further comprises a monitor image switching means for receiving monitor images from the monitor terminals and transmitting the monitor images to the monitor, and a proximity detecting means provided in the monitor terminal for detecting other monitor terminal existing in close proximity on the same or adjacent moving path. When the proximity detecting means detects other monitor terminal, the monitor terminal transmits detection information of other monitor terminal to the monitor image switching means which switches the image being transmitted to the monitor to the monitor image of other monitor terminal based on the received detection information thereof.