Monaco, with a population of less than 38 thousand people, is, however, one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It should be said that the inhabitants of this principality do not live in poverty. The density of moneybags per square meter in Monaco is simply amazing. And what do we know about this principality? Yes, there is a world famous casino there. Also in Monaco, the Grand Prix in the Formula 1 rally is played. And in Hollywood, a feature film was made about Princess Grace Kelly, who was brilliantly played by actress Nicole Kidman. What else do we know about this dwarf state? We invite you to take a short virtual trip to the principality of refined luxury and bold adventures.
Where is Monaco
Does the name Côte d'Azur - Cote d'Azur say something to you? This coast of the Gulf of Marseille in France is the place of the most luxurious holiday. Cannes, Antibes, Nice - the very name of these resorts sounds like a song. Amphitheatrically sloping down to the Mediterranean, the slopes are lined with multi-million dollar villas. Movie stars live hereowners of interstate trading corporations. And among all this splendor perched a small principality of Monaco. Its population is small, and the area even more so. The state occupies only two square kilometers and is one hundred and ninety-third in the world according to this indicator. The sea from the Old Town of Monaco is only visible. The state does not have its own water area, although in the last 20 years it has recaptured several hectares of the coast. The principality is surrounded on all sides by France. Time in Monaco is European. In summer, it lags behind Moscow by one hour, and in winter by two. The capital of the dwarf state is the city of Monaco. The so-called dualistic monarchy has been established in the country. It is limited by the Constitution. The prince rules the state - now it is Albert II. Despite its modest size, Monaco is represented in the UN, UNESCO, WHO, Interpol, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.
History of Monaco
As far back as the tenth century BC, on the rock where the dwarf principality is now located, there was a Phoenician settlement. Later Greeks and Ligurians lived here. The history of the principality dates back to 1215, when the Republic of Genoa built the fortress of Monaco on the rocky shore. Its population was small. Basically it was a military garrison. In the nineties of the thirteenth century, a civil war broke out in Genoa between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. A certain Francesco Grimaldi disguised himself as a Franciscan monk and knocked on the evening of January 8, 1297 at the gates of the fortress, asking for shelter for the night. The guards were severely punished for their kindness. Bursting after Grimaldihis accomplices slaughtered the entire garrison. And Francesco himself founded a new princely line. For more than seven hundred years, the state has been continuously ruled by the Grimaldi family. And the coat of arms of the state is decorated with two Franciscan monks with swords.
Modern history of the country
It cannot be said that an independent country has never disappeared from the political map of Europe since then. Having passed under the Perron Treaty in 1641 under the protectorate of France, Monaco in 1789 was completely annexed by a powerful neighbor. But after the collapse of the Napoleonic empire, the principality went to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Under his protectorate, it stayed for half a century. In 1860, Sardinia withdrew its troops. The entire small area of Monaco was again recognized as sovereign. The economic rise of the dwarf state began in 1865, when a casino opened in Monte Carlo. A customs union was concluded with France. In 1911, a constitution appeared, where for the first time the power of the prince was limited. Significant assistance in the development of the economy of Monaco was provided by such a foreign investor as Aristotle Onassis. He invested in the entertainment industry and the construction of the port.
The most famous princess
Until the twentieth century, representatives of the princely family of Monaco entered into only strategically advantageous marriages. However, times change and so do manners. In the middle of the twentieth century, fate brought the reigning Prince Rainier III together with the American actress Grace Kelly. She came to the French Riviera to star in Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief. BUTRainier the Third, who ascended the throne in 1949, was at that time the most enviable bachelor. The couple's wedding took place in a narrow circle on April 18, 1956. Misalliance did not cause a big scandal (after all, the twentieth century!). In addition, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco did everything possible to make the local people fall in love with her. She learned the language, customs. But her main merit is the preservation of the sovereignty of the principality in the complex political relations of the state with France. This is the story of the film "Princess of Monaco" with Nicole Kidman in the title role. September 13, 1982 Grace Kelly was driving. As a result of a stroke, she lost control of the car, causing the car to fall off a cliff. Grace died in the hospital the next day. Her youngest daughter, seventeen-year-old Stefania-Maria-Elizabeth, was also in the car. The girl received a serious fracture of the neck. At present, the country is ruled by the son of Grace, Albert II, Prince of Monaco. The population cherishes the memory of the "American Princess". The main hospital was named after her, and a commemorative coin was issued in her honor.
Vacations in Monaco
The area of the country, as already mentioned, is only two square kilometers. This is three times less than the Moscow Sokolniki Park. But in the last twenty years, thanks to the drainage of the coast, the area of Monaco has increased by almost forty hectares. The port was equipped. Monaco thus became a maritime power in the truest sense of the word. But the Principality is not famous for its beach holidays. The filling of these two square kilometers is much more interesting than in Sokolniki. There is locatedas many as four cities: Monte Carlo, Monaco-Ville, La Condamine and Fontvieille. All significant sights for tourists are concentrated on the rock of Saint-Antoine, which is prominent in the sea. This is the Old Town, or Monaco-Ville. Only indigenous people, the Monegasques, are allowed to settle here. They are also exempt from taxes. In Monaco-Ville, there is the Grimaldi Prince's Palace, the cathedral with the grave of Grace Kelly, the ancient Misericord chapel, Fort Antoine, the wax museums, Napoleon and the Old Town, the historical archive, the gardens of St. Martin. On the square in front of the residence of Albert II, the ceremony of changing the guard of honor is held every day. It is also interesting to visit the Oceanarium.
Monte Carlo
A description of Monaco would not be complete without mentioning this gambling and nightlife capital. Gambling and nightlife center in general. The key attraction here is Europe's first ever casino. This is the Du Monte Carlo gambling house. It can be called a gambling establishment, which appeared first in the world among the phenomena of this kind. But do not think that people go to Monte Carlo only to try their luck. It has the famous Japanese Garden, St. Charles Church and the amazing National Puppet Park. For shopping, head to La Condamine. In this town there is a port, a park of exotic plants, the Anthropological Museum, the Great Market, the Church of St. Devota, the pedestrian street of Princess Caroline. Fontvieille is a new seaside area. There is a zoo, museumscars, ships, numismatics and philately.
Monaco weather
The state is located in the subtropical climate zone. It has hot dry summers and warm rainy winters. The average January temperature is +10 degrees, and in July it does not fall below +23. The best time to visit the dwarf state is from May to early October. The region where Monaco is located is protected from the northern winds by the Alps. And in summer, the warm air is refreshed by a light breeze from the sea.
Prices
As already mentioned, the Principality is not a country of beach holidays. People go to Nice and Antibes for the sun and the sea, because life is cheaper there. That is why the weather in Monaco is not a predetermining factor of a trip to the country. Tourists come here to join the world of refined luxury: to lose at least a euro in the oldest casino, to look at the Formula 1 races, to pay a visit to the current residence of the prince. Prices in Monaco hotels are quite consistent with the status of the country. There are simply no budget hotels here. Prices for a standard room start from fifteen thousand rubles per night. Do not lag behind hotels and restaurants. Only one dish in "Louis the Fifteenth" costs about two hundred euros.
