Monaco

Overview

Without wishing to over-use a particularly trite cliché, the second smallest European independent state, really is perfectly formed.

Ruled for 700 years by the Grimaldi family, the visitor will quickly realise why Monaco is one of the playgrounds of the rich and famous. This should not deter the visitor who has not been in a film or owned an international corporation as wandering around the four districts will be a chance to experience another world.

It is unlikely that much time at all, if any, will be needed for Fontvielle as it is mainly taken up by light industry and residential areas. This actually benefits the visitor, as they will have more time for gazing into the surrounding sea from Monaco-Ville or looking at the Romanesque Cathedral. Being only a square mile, the other districts are not difficult to reach. The port area is called La Condamine. There, the selection of yachts is phenomenal, but should be avoided if the visitor is prone to strongly envious feelings! The final district is the most famous - Monte-Carlo, the business and entertainment centre. It really is both of these. The former is probably due to the lack of income tax, the latter is in part due to the large emphasis placed on the arts by the Grimaldi family. The visitor should definitely try and see the National Philharmonic Orchestra, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Little Singers of Monaco and the Opera of Monte-Carlo.

History

Our history begin in 1162 when the Emperor of the West, Frederic Barbarossa, granted maritic dominion of the region to the Republic of Genoa.

In 1215 the Ghibellines (supporter of the Emperor) built a Castle on the site of the present-day Palace.

On 8 jannuary 1297 the guelf Guelph François Grimaldi (loyal to the Pope) disguised as a monk, secretly got into the place. This is commemorated on the Grimaldi coat-of-arms and in that date started the Principality of Monaco which has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297 except when under French control from 1789 to 1814.

It was in 1612 that Honoré II, Lord of Monaco, took the title of Prince.

Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Treaty of Vienna Monaco's sovereignty was recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a constitution was promulgated in 1911.

In July 1918 a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty written into the Treaty of Versailles established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political military and economic interests.

Prince Rainier III the current ruler of Monaco acceded to the throne following the death of his grandfather Prince Louis II in 1949. The current heir apparent Prince Albert was born in 1958.

A new constitution proclaimed in 1962 abolished capital punishment provided for female suffrage and established a Supreme Court to guarantee fundamental liberties.

In 1993 Monaco became an official member of the United Nations with...more