Monaco, whose population is incomplete 38 thousand people, is, nevertheless, one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It should be said that the inhabitants of this principality are not 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. Also in Monaco, the Grand Prix is being raffled in the Formula 1 rally. And in Hollywood, a feature film was shot about Princess Grace Kelly, which was brilliantly played by actress Nicole Kidman. What else do we know about this dwarf state? We offer you to take a small virtual trip to the principality of sophisticated luxury and bold adventures.
Where is Monaco
Does the name Cote d'Azur - Cote d'Azur tell you something ? This coast of the Gulf of Marseille in France is the place of the most luxurious vacation. Cannes, Antibes, Nice - the very name of these resorts sounds like a song. The slopes descending an amphitheater to the Mediterranean Sea cover villas worth several million dollars. Movie stars and owners of interstate trading corporations settle here. And among all this splendor, the little principality of Monaco perched. Its population is small, and the area - even more so. The state occupies only two square kilometers and is, according to this indicator, one hundred and ninety-third in the world. The sea from the Old Town of Monaco is only visible. The state does not have its own water area, although in the past 20 years it has recaptured several hectares of coast. From all sides the principality is surrounded by France. Monaco time is European. In summer, it is one hour behind Moscow, and in winter - by two. The capital of the dwarf state is the city of Monaco. The country has established the so-called dualistic monarchy. 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
In the tenth century BC, on the rock, where the dwarf princedom is now located, was a settlement of the Phoenicians. 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 a rocky shore. Her population was small. It was mainly a military garrison. In the nineties of the thirteenth century, a civil war broke out in Genoa between Guelphs and Ghibellines. A certain Francesco Grimaldi dressed as a Franciscan monk and knocked at the gates of the fortress in the evening of January 8, 1297, asking for shelter for the night. The guard was severely punished for her kindness. His accomplices bursting after Grimaldi cut the entire garrison. And Francesco himself founded a new princely line. For more than seven hundred years, the state has been continuously governed by the Grimaldi clan. And the emblem 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 since disappeared from the political map of Europe. 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 moved to the Sardinian kingdom. It has been under its protectorate for half a century. In 1860, Sardinia withdrew 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 clan of Monaco entered into strategically advantageous marriage unions. However, times are changing, and mores too. In the mid-twentieth century, fate brought the reigning Prince Rainier III with the American actress Grace Kelly. She came to the French Riviera to star in Alfred Hitchcock's film "Catch a Thief." And Rainier the Third, who ascended the throne in 1949, was at that time the most enviable bachelor. The wedding of the couple took place in a narrow circle on April 18, 1956. Mesalliance did not cause a big scandal (all the same, the twentieth century!). In addition, Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly did everything possible to make local people fall in love with her. She learned the language, customs. But its main merit is the preservation of the sovereignty of the principality in the difficult political relations of the state with France. This is the story of the movie "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. In the car was also her youngest daughter, seventeen-year-old Stephanie-Maria-Elizabeth. The girl received a serious neck fracture. Currently, the country is ruled by the son of Grace, Albert II, Prince of Monaco. The population carefully preserves the memory of the "American princess." The main hospital was named after her, a commemorative coin was issued in her honor.
Holidays in Monaco
The area of the country, as already indicated, 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. A port was equipped. Monaco, thus, became a coastal power in the truest sense of the word. But the principality is not famous for beach holidays. Filling these two square kilometers is much more interesting than in Sokolniki. There are as many as four cities: Monte Carlo, Monaco-Ville, La Condamine and Fontvieille. All tourist attractions are focused on the outstanding cliff of Saint Antoine in the sea. This is the Old Town, or Monaco-Ville. Only indigenous inhabitants - Monegasques - are allowed to settle here. They are also tax free. In Monaco-Ville, there are the princely palace of Grimaldi, the cathedral with the grave of Grace Kelly, the old chapel Misericord, Fort Antoine, 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 the Second, a ceremony of changing guards by the guards takes place every day. It is also interesting to visit the Oceanarium.
Monte Carlo
Monaco's description will be incomplete if we do not mention this capital, whose life is devoted to gambling and nightly entertainment. The center of gambling and nightlife in general. The key attraction here is the first casino in the history of Europe. This is the gambling house "Du Monte Carlo". It can be called a gambling institution, which appeared the first in the world among phenomena of this kind. But do not think that in Monte Carlo they go only to try their luck. Here is the famous Japanese Garden, St. Charles Church and the amazing National Puppet Park. For shopping, you should head to La Condamine. In this town there is a port, an exotic plant park, the Anthropological Museum, the Big Market, the Church of the Holy Virgin, the pedestrian street of Princess Caroline. Fontvieille is a new seaside area. There is a zoo, museums of cars, ships, numismatics and philately.
Weather in Monaco
The state is located in a subtropical climate zone. It has hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters. The average temperature in January 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 the summer, heated air freshens a light breeze from the sea.
Prices
As already mentioned, the principality is not a country of beach holidays. Over the sun and the sea they go to Nice and to Antibes, because life there is cheaper. Therefore, the weather in Monaco is not a pre-determining factor for a trip to the country. Tourists come here to join the world of sophisticated luxury: lose at least a euro in the oldest casino, look at Formula 1 races, and visit the prince’s current residence. Prices in Monaco hotels are consistent with the status of the country. There are simply no budget hotels. Prices for a standard room start from fifteen thousand rubles per night. Keep up with hotels and restaurants. Only one meal in Louis Fifteenth costs about two hundred euros.