Portal:Monaco

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The Monaco Portal
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Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486 are Monégasque nationals; it is recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language is French; Monégasque, English and Italian are spoken and understood by many residents.

With an area of 2.08 km² (0.80 sq mi), Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City. Its population of 38,367 in 2023 makes it the most densely populated sovereign state. Monaco has the world's shortest coastline: 3.83 km (2.38 mi). The principality is about 15 km (9.3 mi) from the border with Italy and consists of nine administrative wards, the largest of which is Monte Carlo.

The principality is governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state, who wields political power despite his constitutional status. The prime minister, who is the head of government, can be either a Monégasque or French citizen; the monarch consults with the Government of France before an appointment. Key members of the judiciary are detached French magistrates. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The state's sovereignty was officially recognised by the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defence is the responsibility of France, besides maintenance of two small military units. (Full article...)

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Selected location article

The Tea House in Monaco's Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden is a municipal park on the Avenue Princesse Grace, in the Larvotto ward of Monaco. It is next to the Grimaldi Forum convention centre. The garden is 0.7 hectares in size, and features a stylised mountain, hill, waterfall, beach, brook, and a Zen garden for meditation. It is open daily from 9:00 to sunset.

The garden was designed by Yasuo Beppu, the winner of the Flower Exhibition of Osaka 1990, as a miniature representation of Shintoist philosophy. (Full article...)

List of articles
Casino Gardens and Terraces Avenue Princesse Grace Columbus Hotel Monaco Fort Antoine Theatre Grimaldi Forum Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo Jardin Exotique de Monaco Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology New National Museum of Monaco Oceanographic Museum Odeon Tower St Martin Gardens Zoological Garden of Monaco

Selected pictures

Image 1Fontvieille and its new harbour (from Monaco)
Image 2Satellite view with border (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 3Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 4Public art in Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 5Embassy of Monaco, Paris, France (from Monaco)
Image 6Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 7Jacques I, Prince of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 8Hôtel de Paris (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 9Monte Carlo Casino (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 10Wards of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 11The Monaco harbour during the days of the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 12Benjamin Balleret (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 13Monaco-Ville (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 14
Panoramic view of Monaco City and the port of Fontvieille
(from Monaco)
Image 15Fontvieille (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 16Charles Leclerc (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 17A map of the County of Nice showing the area of the Italian kingdom of Sardinia annexed in 1860 to France (light brown). The area in red had already become part of France before 1860 (from Monaco)
Image 18
Panoramic view of Monaco from the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) high rock promontory
(from Monaco)
Image 19
Land reclamation in Monaco since 1861
(from Monaco)
Image 20Port Hercules (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 21Monaco's flag and its coat of arms (from Monaco)
Image 22The marriage of actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III brought media attention to the principality. (from Monaco)
Image 23In the centre is La Condamine. At the right with the smaller harbour is Fontvieille, with The Rock (the old town, fortress, and Palace) jutting out between the two harbours. At the left are the high-rise buildings of La Rousse/Saint Roman. (from Monaco)
Image 24Photochrom of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 25View of the Rock of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 26Logo of the princely government of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 27Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 28Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco FC (from Monaco)
Image 29View of Monaco in 2016 (from Monaco)
Image 30Enlargeable, detailed map of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 31Monte Carlo Casino (from Monaco)
Image 32Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Monaco)
Image 33Palace guards in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 34Monte Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 35Monaco (as part of the Republic of Genoa) in 1494 (from Monaco)
Image 36Prince's Palace of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 37Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 38Formation lap for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (from Monaco)
Image 39The Rock of Monaco in 1890 (from Monaco)
Image 40Prince Albert I of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 41Sainte-Dévote Chapel (from Monaco)
Image 42La Condamine (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 43The location of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 441978 Monégasque franc coin with an effigy of Rainier III (from Monaco)
Image 45Satellite view of Monaco, with the France–Monaco border shown in yellow (from Monaco)
Image 46
Panoramic view of La Condamine and Monte Carlo
(from Monaco)
Image 47Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (from Monaco)
Image 48The Mayor of Monaco announcing concessions, ending the absolute monarchy of Prince Albert I in 1910 (from Monaco)
Image 49A view of the 2011 Monaco Porsche Supercup. Motor racing is very popular, with one course encompassing almost the whole country. (from Monaco)
Image 50Oceanographic Museum (from Monaco)
Image 51Rainier I, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 52Albert II, Prince of Monaco (from Monaco)

Selected ward

Port Hercule, La Condamine

La Condamine (French pronunciation: [la kɔ̃damin]; Monégasque: A Cundàmina [a kuŋˈdamina]) is the central ward and a quartier in the Principality of Monaco. The quartier's landmarks include Port Hercules, the Rainier III Nautical Stadium, and the Princess Antoinette Park. Its farmers' market, at Place d'Armes, has been held since 1880. (Full article...)

List of articles
Fontvieille, Monaco Larvotto Jardin exotique Monaco-Ville Les Moneghetti Monte-Carlo Ravin de Sainte-Dévote La Rousse

Selected environment article

Land reclamation is done in Monaco through a policy of building land in the sea with concrete blocks because land is very scarce, as the country is comparatively tiny, at 2.02 km² (0.78 sq mi). To solve this problem and to continue economic development, for years the country has added to its total land area by reclaiming land from the sea. (Full article...)

List of articles
Mont Agel Port Hercules Rock of Monaco Tête de Chien

Selected arts article

Monaco is a sovereign city-state, country, and microstate on the French Riviera, along the Mediterranean coast. The country has long been under the control of the Grimaldi family, who have encouraged musical development. Prince Rainier III introduced the Prince Rainier III Prize for Musical Composition to reward Monegasque musicians. (Full article...)

Selected religion article

The Catholic Church in Monaco is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.

The country forms a single archdiocese: the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monaco, which is part of the Catholic Church in France since the beginning of its history. Per the Constitution of Monaco (Art. 9) Catholicism is the official church of Monaco, and is the majority religion; religious freedom is also guaranteed by the constitution. In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom. (Full article...)

Selected sports article

The 1929 Monaco Grand Prix was the first Grand Prix to be run in the principality. It was set up by wealthy cigarette manufacturer, Antony Noghès, who had set up the Automobile Club de Monaco with some of his friends. This offer of a Grand Prix was supported by Prince Louis II, and the Monégasque driver of that time, Louis Chiron. On 14 April 1929, their plan became reality, when 16 invited participants turned out to race for a prize of 100,000 French francs. (Full article...)

Selected education article

The International School of Monaco (ISM) is an independent, co-educational, not-for-profit day school located in Monaco. Founded in 1994, ISM has over 800 students aged 3 to 18 years old, drawn from over 50 nationalities.

ISM offers a bilingual education in English and French for students in the Primary School (Kindergarten to Year 6). From Year 7 onwards, the Secondary School offers a programme taught in English, leading to internationally-recognised academic qualifications. The University of Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations are offered at the end of Year 11, following a two-year course of study. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) examinations are offered at the end of Year 13, following a two-year course of study. The school offers both the IBDP and, since September 2020, the IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme). (Full article...)

Selected transportation article

Transport in Monaco is facilitated with road, air (helicopter), rail, and water networks. Rail transport is operated by SNCF with only Monaco Monte Carlo station seeing passenger service and the total length of the line inside the Principality is 1.7 km (1.1 mi). Monaco has five bus routes operated by Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco. There are also two other bus routes which connect Monaco with neighboring regions such as Nice and Menton. (Full article...)

Selected biography

Romeo Acquarone (1895 – 1980) was a professional tennis player born in Monaco. He became a French citizen in 1937. Acquarone won the Bristol Cup in France in 1920 (beating Joseph Negro in the final). The Bristol Cup was the top professional tournament in the world in the 1920s. (Full article...)