Located in the south of Europe, one of the smallest states on the mainland, surrounded by France on almost all sides, the Principality of Monaco can be safely called a model of excellent taste and love of life. Still, the interests here are the most high-society: expensive yachts swinging in the azure casino with awe-inspiring bets and breathtaking Formula 1. And the royal family is generally the main attraction of the principality.

We will try to consider all this in more detail in the current article dedicated to the amazing and attractive country - Monaco. Let's go there!

A little more geography

The Principality of Monaco, alas, is not flattered by the map. On it, it is marked with just a dot, sunk in the vastness of France. And it can be quite difficult for an inexperienced person to find it.

But it is precisely this small size that is one of the most attractive features that makes tourists from all over the world look for a microstate on the map. How many people want to get into this world of prosperity and refined taste, which, by the way, is guarded by an army of only 82 people! Can you imagine? And this despite the fact that in the military orchestra of the same Monaco - 85 people. But they are not afraid, because France has taken responsibility for the security of the principality in the event of an attack on it by other states. Like this!

And for those who are somewhat at a loss in answering the question of where Monaco is located, we will explain: where the territories of France and Italy converge, about ten kilometers from the place of their docking on the coast mediterranean sea there is a bright point that attracts prosperity, good luck and success.

Meet the ruling family of Monaco

This is one of the few modern monarchies where the powers of the crowned person and the real head of state belong to the same person.

Monaco is ruled by the representative of the oldest dynasty in Europe, Prince Albert II, he is the son of Prince Rainier II and the Hollywood star, beauty Grace Kelly. Albert's wife, Queen of Monaco (quite in modern trends) is an athlete from South Africa, Olympic swimming champion Charlene Lynette Wittstock. The wedding of the monarchs took place in 2011.

Since the worthy ruler of this small state still has no official heirs, the sister of Prince Albert, Princess Carolina Louise Margarita Grimaldi and her children are still considered as such. But the principality is waiting for the appearance of a little prince who will lead a prosperous country in the future.

Where is Monaco located and how to get there?

We already talked a little about where the principality is located in the introductory part, but anyone who decides to go to this dreamland will be interested in the details. For example, how to get there?

The easiest and fastest way to get to Monaco is considered to be a flight to Nice, and then a bus (the journey will take 45 minutes) or a train (no more than half an hour). If you have a car, then the journey from Nice to Monaco is only a 30-minute drive.

In the absence of direct flights to Nice, the flight is made to the capital of France, Paris, from where it is 950 km to the principality, covered by a train in a few hours.

By the way, the station in Monaco, the photo of which we bring to your attention, is located right in the mountain. And when leaving the car, the travelers get the impression that they have entered some kind of unreal world. Which is actually not far from the truth!

A few words about where to apply for a visa in Monaco

An interesting fact is that the permanent residents of Monaco are only 20% of its population, the remaining 80% are rich people and businessmen plying from the principality and back. But still get into it miniature state not so easy. It should be mentioned that since Monaco is a member of the European Union, a Schengen visa is required to visit here.

Due to the fact that there is no representative office of this country in Russia, travelers have to apply for permission to enter the principality, which are located in Moscow (Bolshaya Yakimanka St., 45) and St. Petersburg (Angliyskaya Embankment, 42). There are similar centers in Nizhny Novgorod and Yekaterinburg.

Climate of Monaco

Since it is usually very important for travelers to know what kind of weather will await them in their place of stay, we inform you that in the places where Monaco is located, the Alps serve as a reliable protection from the northern winds that bring cold, and the cool sea breeze will make the summer heat less exhausting .

A similar geographical position gives rise to characterized by dry, cool summers and warm, wet winters. So, in July here the average temperature is about +23 °C, and in winter, in January, it does not fall below +10 °C.

To Monaco best time The months to visit are from May to September.

Who lives where Monaco is located, or Features of the Principality

The autochthonous, that is, the original, population of the principality is a people called Monegasques. It makes up one fifth of all inhabitants of Monaco and is recognized as the titular nation. Monegasques are exempt from all taxes, and only they have the right to settle in the old part of this city-state. Foreigners are prohibited from doing so. It's a pity! It is from here, from the hill on Cape Saint-Antoine, that the most enchanting view of the sea and surroundings opens.

And now about the sights

In addition to the casinos in Monte Carlo and Formula 1 thundering all over the world (by the way, its roar is strong and not in a figurative sense: visitors sitting in the stands are forced to plug their ears at the start so as not to lose their hearing), the country can offer a lot number of places of interest for tourists.

Monaco is located on the hills of amazing beauty, descending to the Ligurian Sea (it is part of the Mediterranean), and is the most densely populated state in Europe.

Its heart can be considered the ancient capital, located on a hilltop - Monaco-Ville. Here are the oldest buildings and the Cathedral, which does not fit into the accepted stereotypes, was erected on the site of the ancient Catholic Church of St. Nicholas in 1875. Inside the cathedral are paintings by the famous artist Louis Brea. It is here that all members of the ruling family have been buried since the founding of the principality.

The facade of this cathedral overlooks an admirable place where for seven centuries the residence of the princes of Monaco has been located. It is here that official receptions and international negotiations are held. Every day at noon, invariably since the foundation of the principality, a solemn changing of the guard of honor takes place in front of the palace, which is attended by a large number of tourists.

Worthy of attention is the 18th century fortress Fort Antoine, named after the great music lover Prince Antoine I and which is now an open theater.

A little more about the wonderful places of the Principality of Monaco

Any resident of the city will tell you where the Oceanographic Museum is located. Don't forget to visit it! It is considered to be a masterpiece of modern architecture. The museum is located on almost sheer cliff and has an underground aquarium. By the way, one of the very few where corals have taken root!

And how beautiful are the gardens of Saint Martin! This place in tiny Monaco allows citizens to escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern city in an almost pristine world, saturated with the scent of herbs and flowers. The garden was opened during the reign of Honore V (first half of the 19th century). The sculptures standing along the small winding alleys that adorned the garden are a topic for a separate essay. Be sure to visit here!

Do not ignore the Church of St. Devota, which is considered the protector of the principality. By the way, on the day of memory of this great martyr, January 27, flowers always bloom around the temple.

Separately about museums

The most visited after the Oceanographic in Monaco is the Museum of Old Cars, founded by Prince Rainier III, who was an admirer of them. For almost 30 years he has been collecting a collection of vintage cars, which he presented in his museum. There are more than 100 models here.

And the Maritime Museum owns more than two hundred and fifty exhibits related to the sea.

The wax museum is a reflection of the history of the Grimaldi dynasty. All the figures are life-sized, and many are also dressed in ancient clothes that have been preserved since the founding of the dynasty.

You can't say goodbye to Monaco!

As you can see, Monaco is a state where there are not only wealthy local residents and the powers that be who come to have fun, but also a huge cultural layer. And all this is located in the most amazing place on our planet. Here there is the grace of flowering gardens, and the sound of the sea, and the excitement of games, and the delight of tourists. And here you will definitely come back!

The content of the article

MONACO, The Principality of Monaco, one of the smallest countries in the world (area 1.95 sq. km). Located in the south of Europe, on the Mediterranean coast (length coastline 4.4 km.), near the border of France and Italy. From the land it is surrounded by the territory of the French department of Alpes-Maritimes (the length of the border is 4.1 km.). Geographical coordinates: 43° 44" N, 7° 24" E

The territory of Monaco consists of the merged city districts of Monaco, Monte Carlo, La Condamine and Fontvieille. The city of Monaco - the capital of the country (1.5 thousand inhabitants) - is picturesquely located on the leveled surface of the rocky ledge of the Alpes-Maritimes, built up with old buildings. Its main attractions are the prince's palace (a 13th-century Genoese fortress rebuilt in the 16th century); the Oceanographic Museum (founded in 1899) with an institute attached to it; An exotic garden located on the almost sheer slopes of the Dog's Head Rock; Chapel of La Misericord (17th century); the pseudo-Romanesque Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (19th century); Anthropological prehistoric museum, etc. La Condamine (13 thousand inhabitants) - the area of ​​the port, banks, shops, hotels, representative offices of firms and corporations, enterprises, hotels and beaches. It also houses the national library and the stadium. Monte Carlo (13 thousand inhabitants) was officially founded in 1866. The world famous casino, hotels, branches of banks and concerns, beaches with pools and baths, an opera house (1878–1879), National Museum fine arts with paintings by Renaissance masters, a philharmonic orchestra, etc. Fontvieille is a new industrial center, officially established in 1981 on plots of land reclaimed from the sea.

Nature.

Monaco is located on an elevated seashore formed by limestone mountains, which are the southern extension of the Alpes-Maritimes. The promontory of Monaco is rocky and protrudes far into the sea, La Condamine is a small open bay. The relief of the surface is hilly, rugged, rocky. Highest point- Mont-Agel (140 m.).

Climate Climate

Mediterranean: moderately warm winters (average January temperature +8°C) and dry sunny summers (average July temperature +24°C). The number of sunny days in a year is about 300. Unstable weather and drizzling rains, which usually last no more than 3 days, are brought by a strong east or south wind from the marin sea. A gusty, dry and cold mistral wind blows from the interior of France, bringing the temperature down. The Alpes-Maritimes protect Monaco from the cold northern winds. In summer, sea breezes have a cooling effect on the coast. Thanks to soft climatic conditions Monaco is popular resort. The average annual rainfall is 1300 mm. They fall out mainly in autumn.

Under the conditions of dry summers and autumn-spring rains, brown soils with hard-leaved xerophytic vegetation, as well as red-colored soils of terra rossa, formed in Monaco. Brown forest soils are found in the mountains.

Flora - Mediterranean type: kermes and holm oaks, boxwood, juniper, pine, black and Alep pine, olive, fig, bladderwort, Spanish gorse, jasmine, sarsaparilla, varieties of butcher's needle and asphodelin, lily (grape, mother-of-pearl, yellow onion, thin-leaved birdweed ), Montpellier and sage-leaved cistus. Of the plants of the Western Mediterranean group, typical are dwarf palm, large-fruited strawberry, seaside pine, Atlas cedar, cork, beech and felt-leaved oaks, as well as numerous labiates. Holm and round-leaved oak, noble laurel, wild strawberry, tree-like erica grow in the forests. The mountain slopes are covered with an evergreen shrub-maquis, in which there are strawberries blooming in autumn and winter, palmar cistus, myrtle, evergreen pistachios and viburnum, red juniper, types of broom and gorse, less often - anagyro-shaped bean.

The cultivated trees are dominated by the olive, which covers the slopes facing the Gulf of Genoa. Of the fruit crops, figs, pomegranates, sweet and bitter almonds, pistachios and grapes are common. Japanese medlar and camphor laurel from Japan, aloe, cacti and agaves from America, eucalyptus trees from Australia were brought. Persimmons, bananas, oranges, lemons and tangerines are grown.

There are no large animals preserved in Monaco. Of the mammals, there are small rodents, hedgehogs and shrews, bats, including the unique Mediterranean bat. Of the birds, mountain, spectacled and white-bearded warblers, garden bunting, Mediterranean mockingbird, kingfisher, red-necked nightjar, lark, blackbirds, black-and-spotted and black-bellied wheatears live. There are reptiles - steppe gecko, chalcid, sand lizard, common and viper snakes, Aesculapius snake. There are tree frog and green toad. The world of insects is diverse (mantises, termites, butterflies, cicadas, grasshoppers and sometimes mosquitoes). Marine mammals are few in number, apart from penguins. The mollusk fauna (oysters, mussels, lithophage) is also poor. The waters are quite poor in fish, but sardines, anchovies, flounder, mullet, mackerel, striped catfish, and lobsters are caught off the coast.

Population.

In July 2004, an estimated 32,270 people lived in the country. The population density (16,477 people per 1 sq. km.) is one of the highest in the world. Population growth in 2004 was 0.44%.

The average age of the population is 45 years. 15.5% of Monegasque residents are under 15, 62.1% are between 15 and 64 and 22.4% are over 65. The average life expectancy in 2004 was 75.53 years for men and 83.5 years for women. The birth rate is 9.36 per 1000 people, the death rate is 12.74 per 1000 people, the influx of immigrants is 7.78 per 1000 people, infant mortality is 5.53 per 1000 newborns.

The native inhabitants of Monaco - Monegasques, make up 16% of the population. 47% of the country's population are French, 16% Italian, 4% English, 2% Belgian, 1% Swiss, 14% other. 90% of the population are Catholics, 6% are Protestants.

The official language is French. Residents also speak Monegasque, Italian and English. 99% of the population is literate.

State device.

According to the 2002 constitution, Monaco is a "hereditary and constitutional monarchy". Legislative power in the country is divided between the head of state, which owns the legislative initiative, and the parliament (National Council), which passes laws on them.

The head of state is the prince, who represents the principality in relations with other states, puts forward bills, carries out, in agreement with the National Council, a complete or partial revision of the constitution, has the right to pardon, amnesty, awards and granting Monegasque citizenship. Prince of Monaco since May 9, 1949 - Rainier III (Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand) from the Grimaldi dynasty, born in 1923, grandson of Prince Louis II. He graduated from the University of Hastings in the UK and the University of Montpellier (France), in 1944-1945 he served in the French army with the rank of colonel. Died April 6, 2005.

The Prince has a Crown Council, which is designed to help the head of state in the implementation of a number of constitutional prerogatives and advise him on issues affecting the interests of the state. He gives opinions on draft laws and decrees submitted for his consideration by the prince.

The Parliament of Monaco is the National Council, consisting of 24 members elected for 5 years by universal suffrage of citizens of Monaco of both sexes who are at least 18 years old. 16 members of the National Council are elected by majoritarian, 8 - by proportional voting system. Members of Parliament pass the laws and budget of the Principality; at least 2/3 of the vote is required to amend the constitution. The National Council may be dissolved by the Head of State with the consent of the Government Council, but new elections must be called without delay. The government of the country is not responsible to the National Council.

Executive power comes from the prince. Administration is carried out by a minister of state, who represents and is appointed by the head of state. The Minister of State is assisted by a Council of Government, headed by him, of advisers responsible for the management of specialized departments. The minister and members of the council are responsible to the prince for the administration of the principality. The duties of the government include: drafting bills and submitting them to the prince, enforcing laws, managing administrative and public services, issuing ministerial acts and decrees regarding the implementation of laws and princely decrees, commanding the forces of order and the police, conducting foreign policy, etc.

By tradition, the post of Minister of State is held by a French citizen, selected by the prince from among three persons proposed by the French government. Since January 2000, Patrick Leclerc, a member of the Monegasque National Democratic Union party, has been appointed Minister of State for 5 years.

Legislative power in Monaco belongs to the prince, but he fully delegates it to the judiciary, acting on his behalf. The judicial system is based on the French code of laws. It consists of the courts of first instance, the courts of justice and the courts of appeal. There is also a Supreme Court, consisting of five members and two assessors appointed by the prince for a period of four years on the proposal of the National Council.

Administratively, the Principality consists of four quarters, corresponding to the cities that form it.

Monaco has a police force, but no army of its own, except for the Royal Guard, which consists of 65 people. Defense matters are in the competence of France.

Political parties.

National Democratic Union(VAT) is a conservative party formed in 1962 as a result of the merger of the National Union of Independents and the National Democratic Accord. She won every election until 2003 and completely dominated the political scene in Monaco for 40 years.

The party declares its intention to defend the unification of the citizens of Monaco around "their sovereign", to defend the institutions of the principality as the "only guarantors" of its independence, as well as the country's traditional values ​​that make up its "specificity and identity." The VAT opposed the establishment of a parliamentary regime and the creation of a government responsible to the parliament, seeing this as a factor of political destabilization. It is currently emphasizing the need to ensure that Monegasque citizens have priority in obtaining employment and housing. The party also promises to lower the age of civil majority to 18. To increase housing construction, expand material and advisory assistance to the elderly, the disabled, families, children and mothers, develop the education system and create new opportunities for young people. In the field of labor relations, the VAT advocates the regulation of temporary and part-time employment and ensuring equal rights for men and women in the world of work. Calls for the protection of the existing health care system, but at the same time the development of modern sanitary and hospital structures, as well as the improvement of the living and working conditions of medical workers.

In the 2003 elections, the VAT was defeated for the first time, receiving 41.5% of the vote and only 3 out of 21 seats in the National Council. Leader - Jean-Louis Campora (Chairman of the National Council in 1993-2003).

"Union for Monaco"- a coalition of political associations created before the general elections of 2003. It included the National Union for the Future of Monaco, the Union for the Monegasque Family and the Union for the Principality. The block program is basically identical to the VAT program, but has a more liberal connotation. The Union defends the traditions, "specificity and national identity" of Monaco in the field of culture, the tax system, the priority in providing employment and housing, for the preservation of such features as high employment and social achievements. At the same time, he objects to "retrograde conservatism" that dooms the country to economic and other isolation and harms its future.

"Union for Monaco" promises to keep high quality life, to increase housing construction, to ensure the priority of Monegasque citizens in getting a job and acquiring housing. He advocates a model of the rule of law, in which the common interest is higher than personal and corporate, supports lowering the age of civil majority to 18 years and granting citizenship to the children of naturalized women. In the field of economics, the bloc advocated the elimination of administrative restrictions that fettered the freedom of entrepreneurial activity, the depoliticization of the "Society of Sea Bathing" (a joint-stock company that controls, in particular, casinos and tourist facilities) and the admission of part-time employment for civil servants. In the social sphere, slogans are put forward to expand the rights of women and ensure them equal rights with men in all areas, guaranteeing universal access to qualified medical care, expanding the network of youth and cultural leisure, and so on.

The Union for Monaco won the 2003 general election with 58.5% of the vote and won 21 of the 24 seats in the National Council. The leader is Stéphane Valéry (Chairman of the National Council since 2003).

Foreign policy.

Monaco has a special relationship with France and exercises its sovereignty "in harmony" with French political, economic, security and defense interests. At the same time, the country has been a member of the UN since 1993. Monaco is also a member of a number of UN specialized agencies and maintains diplomatic relations with a number of countries.

Economy.

Monaco's GDP in 1999 was estimated at 870 million US dollars, which corresponded to 27 thousand dollars per capita. Tourism plays an important role in the country's economy. In 2001, a new marina was built for ships making tourist cruises. The Principality managed to diversify its economy through the development of the service sector (49% of GDP) and small enterprises producing expensive, high-quality and environmentally friendly products. There is no income tax in the country, a very low income for business, which attracts rich people, numerous companies and banks. The state maintains a monopoly in a number of sectors, such as the sale of tobacco products, telephone communications, and postal services. The unemployment rate in 1998 was 3.1%.

Economic data is not published. It is known that in 1993 about 87% of the economically active population was employed in the service sector, 13% in industry, and 0% in agriculture. The electronic, electrical, chemical, pharmaceutical industries, precision instrumentation, the production of building materials, faience, ceramics and majolica are developed. An important place is occupied by trade, servicing tourists and making souvenirs. Electricity is imported from France. Monaco is fully integrated into the customs system of France, and through it is connected with the economy of the European Union. Currency unit- Euro.

The revenue item of the budget in 1995 was $518 million, and the expenditure item was $531 million. Main sources of government revenue: taxes from banks, hotels, resorts, casinos, tourism receipts, sales of postage stamps, etc.

The Principality of Monaco is connected to France by road and by helicopter. Between the airport in Nice (France) and the helicopter port in Fontvieille, a permanent shuttle service is maintained. Entry into the country from the territory of France is free. Length railway tracks in Monaco 1.7 km., roads - 50 km.

Society and culture.

The country has achieved high level life. There are programs to help various needy categories of the population. Monaco has over 31,000 telephone subscribers (1995), 34,000 radios and 25,000 televisions (1998). There are at least 9 radio stations, including Radio Monte Carlo, one of the most powerful in the world. There are 5 television firms, including Tele Monte Carlo.

Traditional Monegasque housing is of the Mediterranean type (two-story small stone houses with a tiled roof). National clothes - trousers, leggings, a shirt, a vest and a jacket, a neckerchief for men, a black full skirt in the assembly, a white jacket with long sleeves, a lilac or blue corsage, a colored headscarf and a white cap for women. In everyday life, it is practically not worn and is used only during festivities and celebrations. The favorite food of the Monegasques is vegetables and root vegetables, cheeses, steak with fried potatoes, stews with sauces, snails, fish dishes. Residents drink a lot of wine and coffee.

The official holiday is the birthday of Prince Rainier III (May 31). Religious holidays are celebrated, as well as the traditional "King's Day" (January 6). Theatrical spring carnivals are organized.

Famous sculptor-classicist Francois Joseph Bosio (18-19 centuries), who made a significant contribution to the construction of sculptural ensembles in Paris, artists Louis and Francois Brea, L. Vidal-Molnay, I. Vidal and Y. Clerissy.

Monaco annually hosts international festivals - circus and television, as well as Formula 1 auto racing. Concerts are held regularly. There are a philharmonic orchestra, an opera house, numerous museums, a theatre. Princess Grace and others.

Ancient history.

The rock of Monaco has served as a refuge for primitive people since ancient times. Their traces were found in one of the caves in the garden of Saint-Martin. Archaeologists attribute them to the Late Paleolithic (300 thousand years BC). Around 2000 BC the Ligurian tribe settles in this area. The ancient authors Diodorus Siculus and Strabo described them as harsh mountaineers, accustomed to hard work and a life full of hardships. Ancient figurines and bas-reliefs were found on the territory.

Legends attribute the founding of Monaco to Hercules, whom the Phoenicians called Melkart, and the Romans called Hercules. It was claimed that he landed on this coast, returning from Spain and built the first structures. According to his name, the city allegedly received the name "Portus Hercules of Monoiki", that is, "the port of the lonely (temple) of Hercules." It is known that in ancient times in the city that stood on the site of present-day Monaco, there really was a temple dedicated to Hercules.

The Greek pilotage of Hecateus of Miletus mentions a city called "Monoikos polis ligustik" - "Ligurian city of Monoikos". There is an assumption that in reality this name is of Ligurian origin, since the city served as the seaport of the Ligurian tribe of Oratells. Probably, the name was later brought into association with the "lonely Hercules."

From about the 10th c. BC. on the territory of Monaco there was a Phoenician fortification. It is believed that it was the Phoenicians who brought Middle Eastern palm trees to the Cote d'Azur. Later, the town was often visited by the Carthaginians, and in the 7th-6th centuries. BC. it is mentioned among the Greek colonies. One way or another, it was an important strategic point between Genoa and Massalia (modern Marseille).

In the 2nd century BC. The area was taken over by the Romans, who included it in the province of the Maritime Alps. In the port, Julius Caesar was loaded onto ships, setting off for the battle with Pompey. The road laid by the Romans to Marseilles, “Via Julia”, which for 500 years was one of the main road arteries of the Roman state, led through the city.

During the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian (3-4 centuries AD), a boat with the body of the executed Corsican Christian Devot was washed up to the Monegasque coast. Later, a church named after him was built, and he himself was declared the patron saint of Monaco.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire at the end of the 5th c. was part of the various "barbarian" kingdoms that arose on its ruins. From the 9th century the Ligurian coast was subjected to continuous raids by Arab pirates from North Africa and depopulated. Only in 975, the Muslims were finally expelled by the Count of Provence Guillaume, after which the coast came under the authority of the Republic of Genoa and began to be settled again. On the site of Monaco, there was a small fishing village. The German emperors Frederick Barbarossa (1152-1190) and Henry VI (1190-1197) recognized the stretch of coast up to modern Monaco as the possession of Genoa (finally in 1191).

Creation of the Monegasque state.

On June 10, 1215, the Genoese adherents of the emperor (Ghibellines), led by Fulcco del Casello, appreciating the strategic importance of the Monaco rock and the port, began to build a fortress with four towers on the site of the current princely palace. The castle replaced the ruined fortification of the Muslims. The transfer of Monaco to Genoa was confirmed in 1220 and 1241 by the German Emperor Frederick II (1212–1250) and in 1262 by the Count of Provence.

To attract new settlers, the founders provided them with significant land and tax incentives. For the next 300 years, Monaco was the object of a fierce struggle between the Ghibelline families of Doria and Spinola (supporters of the German emperors) and the Guelph families of Fieschi and Grimaldi (adherents of the popes), passing from hand to hand.

Otto Canella, who in 1133 was consul of Genoa, was considered the founder of the Grimaldi family; his son was named Grimaldi. In 1296, during one of the civil wars in the Republic of Genoa, the Guelphs were expelled from Genoa and took refuge in Provence. Having gathered a small army, they, led by Francesco Grimaldi, captured the fortress of Monaco on January 2, 1297. According to the chronicle, the leader of the Guelphs disguised himself as a Franciscan monk and was allowed into the fortress by unsuspecting guards, after which he opened the gates to armed soldiers.

Grimaldi failed to gain a foothold in Monaco this time. In 1301 they lost the fortress and managed to return it only on September 12, 1331, when Charles Grimaldi took possession of the rock. In 1341, Charles I (1330-1363) conquered Monaco from the Spinola family. He enjoyed the support of the French kings and also acquired Menton and Roquebrune. Charles's father and Francesco's cousin, Rainier I was appointed Grand Admiral of France and commanded the French fleet in the battle against the Flemings in 1304. Charles himself led the French king Philip VI (1328–1350) with a detachment of crossbowmen, who took part in the famous battle of Crécy (1346 ), and his fleet participated in the siege of Calais. However, he later died during the capture of Monaco by the Genoese Doge Simon Boccanegra. The son of Charles, Rainier II (1363-1407), also in the French royal service, managed to keep only Menton (1346) and Roquebrune (1355), but in 1357 the Grimaldi lost their possessions. In 1395 they won them back, but in 1401 they lost them again.

The children of Rainier II - Ambroise, Antoine and Jean in 1419 regained Monaco, and then divided the possessions among themselves. So Jean I (1427-1454) became the sole lord of Monaco and Condamine. Having managed to free himself from the captivity of the Duke of Milan, he ruled his possessions until his death in 1454.

Conflicts with Genoa, Milan and Savoy forced Grimaldi, without giving up his independence, to seek protection from neighboring states. They managed to obtain such patronage from Florence (1424), Savoy (1428) and Milan (1477). In addition, in 1448, Jean I ceded half of Menton and Roquebrune to the Duke of Savoy in exchange for recognition of his fief rights to these territories.

The son of Jean I, Catalan (1454-1457) entered into an alliance with the French king and married his daughter to his relative Lambert, who became the king's chamberlain. In 1489, Lambert managed to achieve recognition of the independence of Monaco from the French king and the Duke of Savoy. The support of the latter was bought at the price of recognition of the suzerainty of Savoy over 11/12 Menton in exchange for recognition of Grimaldi's feudal rights (this feudal oath was valid until 1507).

Lambert's policy was continued by sons Jean II and Lucien I (1505–1523). The latter repulsed the Genoese siege in 1506–1507. The French king confirmed in 1498 and 1507 the sovereignty of Monaco, promising his patronage to its rulers. The patent of King Louis XII (1498-1515) from 1512 recognized Monaco as an independent possession, whose seigneur cannot be "in any way diminished or interfered with in his rights, jurisdiction, sovereignty, prerogatives" and enjoys the "special patronage" of the monarch of France. In 1515, this position was confirmed by the new king Francis I (1515–1547). However, in 1523 the ruler was killed by followers of the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, who was supported by France. Lucien's brother, Bishop Augustin, who became seigneur, broke with King Francis I and entered into an alliance with his main enemy in Europe - the German emperor and the Spanish king Charles V (1519-1556). In accordance with the Treaty of Burgos (1524), Monaco came under the protection of Spain. It became an imperial fief, whose ruler had to take a feudal oath. At the request of the Monegasque lord, this agreement was later changed: the new agreement in Tordesillas (November 1524) no longer contained a mention of the imperial fief.

under the auspices of Spain.

The alliance with Spain placed a heavy burden on Monaco's finances. The Spanish garrison, stationed in Monaco under the agreement of 1605, was maintained exclusively at the expense of the inhabitants of this state.

After the death of Augustin in 1532, due to the infancy of the children of Lucien I, the country was temporarily ruled by Etienne Grimaldi from Genoa. He scrupulously observed the agreement with Spain, but at the same time tried to strengthen the autonomy of Monaco. The reign of Lucien's son, Honoré I (1523–1581), was comparatively calm. His children Charles II (1581–1589) and Hercules I (1589–1604) continued the same policy. Their main attention was paid to the management of the possessions that Charles V assigned to them in southern Italy, especially the Marquis of Campania. In 1604 Hercules was killed by conspirators.

Until 1616, the regency under the son of the murdered ruler Honore I was carried out by his uncle, Prince Frederick de Valdetar. In 1612, he persuaded his nephew to accept a new title - "seigneur and prince of Monaco." From 1619 the Monegasque monarch was called a prince. This title was recognized by the Spanish court and became hereditary.

Taking power into his own hands, the young prince gradually reoriented his policy towards France. The negotiations, which began in 1630, continued for more than 10 years, with the prince receiving support from the first minister of France, Richelieu. In 1635 another Franco-Spanish war began; In 1640, an uprising broke out in Catalonia against Spain, whose participants called on France for help. In this situation, on September 14, 1641, an agreement between the Monegasque ruler and the French king Louis XIII (1610–1643) was signed in Peronne. Monaco was recognized as a free and sovereign principality under the protectorate of France, and the prince was entrusted with the command of the French military garrison.

Under the protectorate of the French king.

A few months after the conclusion of the treaty, the prince armed his adherents and, relying on them, forced the Spanish garrison of the fortress to capitulate. In 1642 Honoré II was solemnly received at the French court. Instead of the possessions he lost in Naples, previously donated to the Monegasque seigneurs by Charles V, the prince received others on French soil: the duchy of Valentinois, the viscountship of Charles in Auvergne and the marquisate of Beau, along with the seigneury of Saint-Remy in Provence. At court, he was patronized by the first minister, Cardinal Mazarin, and King Louis XIV (1643–1715) became the godfather of his grandson, the future Prince Louis I.

According to the Treaty of the Pyrenees of 1659, the Prince of Monaco was supposed to get back his possessions in Naples and Milan, but he abandoned them in favor of the French king, who, in turn, transferred them to the Duke of Lanti.

Honoré II minted his coin. He did a lot to decorate the city and especially the princely palace, where he amassed a huge collection of paintings, furniture, valuables, etc. Luxurious festivities, ballet performances, balls and magnificent religious ceremonies were held in Monaco.

After the death of Honore II, his grandson Louis I (1662-1701) ascended the princely throne, whose name is also associated with the construction of a number of monumental structures. He published a collection of laws, which was characterized by comparative liberalism. The Monegasque cavalry, led by the prince, fought on the side of France and Holland in Flanders and Franche-Comte during the war against the British. When the problem of the Spanish succession arose, Louis XIV appointed Louis I in 1698 as his ambassador to the papal court, instructing him to get the support of the French candidate for the Spanish throne from the pope. While in Rome, he squandered many of the riches his grandfather had collected. In 1701 the prince died in Rome.

His son, Prince Antoine (1701–1731) moved in the circles of the highest French aristocracy, maintained ties with the future regent, the Duke of Orleans. He had a brilliant career in the French army, participating in many battles. Antoine restored and strengthened the princely palace, where he held magnificent festivities. The prince was fond of music, conducted his own orchestra and corresponded with prominent French composers Francois Coupren, André Detouche and others. Close ties between Monaco and France forced in 1707, despite the neutrality of the principality, to fear the invasion of the troops of the Duke of Savoy, and the prince began building new fortifications. The military threat was eliminated only after the conclusion of the Peace of Utrecht in 1713.

With the death of Antoine, the male line of the Grimaldi dynasty came to an end. The prince's daughter Louise-Hippolyte ruled for only a few months, and then power passed to her husband, Jacques-Francois de Matignon, proclaimed Jacques I (1731–1733). In 1733 he handed over the throne to his son Honore III (1733-1793). The new prince, like his predecessors, served in the French army, taking part in military operations in Flanders, on the Rhine and in the Netherlands, receiving the rank of marshal in 1748.

During the War of the Austrian Succession in 1746-1747, Monaco was blockaded by Austrian and Sardinian troops. They were pushed back by French forces under the command of Marshal de Belle-Isle. The subsequent reign of Honore III passed quietly. The principality's economy prospered, and the standard of living of the population grew despite meager Natural resources states. The main source of Monaco's wealth was maritime trade and the collection of duties on ships bound for Italy. The prince, who had extensive land holdings in Valentinois, Auvergne, Provence and Normandy, acquired more land in Alsace.

During the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

All the possessions of the Prince of Monaco in France were lost after the French Constituent Assembly abolished feudal rights on the night of August 4, 1789. Initially, the assembly upheld the Treaty of Peronne and even intended to compensate the prince for the loss of his property, valued at 273,786 francs. However, after the overthrow of the French king in 1792, this project was abandoned. Honore III's references to the Treaty of Peronne were unsuccessful, and by the time of the prince's death in 1795, the financial well-being of the dynasty had already been undermined.

In Monaco itself, a struggle broke out between the two parties. One of them advocated the preservation of the sovereignty of the principality. Another, the People's Society, demanded, first of all, the creation of a system of representative government. The second one managed to win. In January 1793, the National Convention was elected, which soon announced the overthrow of the Grimaldi dynasty.

The entry of French troops into the county of Nice accelerated the formation of a new regime. On February 15, 1793, the French Convention decided to unite the principality with France. Monaco, renamed Fort Hercule, formed a canton within the French Republic, and then became the administrative center of the district (later the center was moved to San Remo). All the wealth collected in the princely palace was seized, paintings and works of art were sold, and the palace itself turned into a barracks, and then into a hospital and a shelter for the poor. Most members of the princely family (including Honore III) were arrested, then released, but were forced to sell almost all their property. Some of them served in the French army.

The situation changed after the abdication of the French Emperor Napoleon. The first Peace of Paris on May 30, 1814 restored the principality within the borders that existed before January 1, 1792, under a French protectorate.

Honore IV, son of Honore III, became prince, but due to poor health, he ceded the throne to his brother Joseph. The son of the abdicated prince, Honore-Gabriel, rebelled against this decision and convinced his father to transfer power to him. In March 1815, Honore IV (1815-1819) went to Monaco, but, having arrived in Cannes, he was arrested by the landing Napoleonic troops and taken to Napoleon.

After the final collapse of the Empire, according to the second Treaty of Paris on November 20, 1815, the principality was placed under the protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Sardinian protectorate.

The agreement between Monaco and the Sardinian king Victor Emmanuel I was signed in Stupinigi on November 8, 1817. It was much less favorable for the principality than the agreement with France that was in force before the French Revolution. The principality's finances were in a sorry state, the country's resources were dwindling, and the communes, parishes, and hospitals owed large sums of money.

After the death of Honore IV, power passed to his son Honore V (1819-1841), whom Napoleon in 1810 awarded the title of baron, and the Restoration regime - the title of peer of France. The new prince took steps to overcome the crisis. However, his tough policy met with discontent among the population and protest demonstrations, especially in 1833 in Menton. After the death of Honore V, power passed to his brother, Florestan I (1841-1856), a great admirer of literature and theater, completely unprepared for public administration. Most of the issues were solved by his wife Carolina, who came from a bourgeois family. She managed to temporarily alleviate the discontent caused by the decrees of Honore V. But the détente did not last long, and soon Florestan and Carolina tightened their policy again, hoping in this way to restore prosperity to the principality.

In the meantime, in Menton, the demands for independence were heard more and more loudly. The inhabitants of the city sought the adoption of a liberal constitution, similar to the one introduced in the Sardinian kingdom by King Charles Albert. They rejected the constitution proposed by Florestan. After the revolution of 1848 in France, the situation worsened. Florestan and Carolina transferred power to their son Charles.

But it was already too late. Uprisings began, Prince Florestan was overthrown, arrested and imprisoned, and the princely government was abolished. However, in 1849 Florestan was restored to the throne.

On March 20, 1848, Menton and Roquebrune, officially remaining fiefs of Savoy and Sardinia, proclaimed themselves free and independent cities "under Sardinian patronage." On May 1, 1849, the authorities of the Sardinian kingdom issued a decree on their accession to the district of Nice. The Princes of Monaco Florestan and Charles III (1856-1889) never succeeded in regaining these territories.

In March 1860, in gratitude for the military assistance provided by the French emperor Napoleon III to the unification of Italy, the Kingdom of Sardinia ceded to France Savoy and the county of Nice, including Menton and Roquebrune. July 18, 1860 Sardinia withdrew its troops from Monaco, thus putting an end to the protectorate.

Under an agreement on February 2, 1861 between Prince Charles III and Napoleon III, Monaco renounced all rights to Menton and Roquebrune in favor of France, for which he received compensation in the amount of 4 million francs. The treaty officially recognized the independence of the Principality of Monaco, but it was reduced to 1/20 of its former area. In accordance with unpublished additional articles of the treaty, Monaco promised not to transfer any part of its territory to any power other than France.

Principality before World War II.

Reduced in size and deprived of resources, the principality was in an extremely difficult financial and economic situation. It was impossible to raise taxes any further. Back in the 1850s, the authorities decided to improve the situation by opening a casino, but the gambling house of the French entrepreneur Durand soon closed due to lack of transport links and uncompetitiveness. The merchant Lefebvre, who bought the company, also failed to set things right.

After several attempts to revive the trade, Charles III and his mother Caroline decided to organize a company called the Sea Bathing Society. The gambling house concession was sold for 1.7 million francs to the banker François Blanc, who previously headed the gambling house in Hamburg. The term of his license was 50 years. Blanc managed to organize a casino and deploy operations, the volume of which soon exceeded the most optimistic expectations. Hotels, a theater and a casino built by the Sea Bathing Society began to attract many tourists to the principality from the very beginning.

In 1865, Monaco signed a convention with France establishing a customs union. At the same time, the prince retained the right to conclude international treaties and agreements. The parties agreed on the construction of a railway line through the Monegasque territory. Since 1868, when the railway line between Nice and Ventimiglia was put into operation, the number of tourists has increased even more. In 1870, 140 thousand people visited the country, and in 1907 - already more than 1 million (at that time there were 52 hotels in the principality).

The economic progress of Monaco was accompanied by the expansion of urban construction. The Spelyug quarter surrounding the casino was quickly built up with luxurious hotels and prestigious buildings. In 1866 it received a new name after the name of the prince - Monte Carlo. In 1869, an opera was opened in Monte Carlo, which, under the direction of the famous conductor Raoul Gainsbourg, gained worldwide fame.

During the reign of Charles III, railway stations were built in Monaco and Monte Carlo, a post office was organized, the first postage stamps of the principality were issued and gold coins were minted. A separate bishopric was created in Monaco. In 1881 the civil code was enacted.

The population grew rapidly. In 1870 only 1,500 people lived in the principality; in 1888 this number increased to 10,000, and in 1907 to 16,000.

The foreign policy activity of the principality also developed. In 1866-1905, Monaco concluded agreements on the extradition of criminals with Italy, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Denmark, as well as a convention on cooperation in the legal field with Italy, Belgium and France. The Principality signed multilateral agreements: the Paris (1883) and Berne (1886) conventions and the Madrid Agreement (1891). It appointed ambassadors and diplomatic representatives to France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and also to the papal court.

Prince Albert I (1889–1922) became famous for his scientific research in oceanography, paleontology, anthropology and botany. He founded the Institute of Oceanography in Paris with the famous Oceanographic Museum in Monaco (opened in 1910), the International Peace Institute (1903) and the Exotic Garden, promoted the development of the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology in Monaco and other research institutions.

In 1911, the prince approved the constitution of the Principality of Monaco. In accordance with it, the monarch retained very broad powers, but shared legislative power with the National Council, which was elected by popular vote. In October 1914 the constitution was suspended.

Albert I patronized the development of art and culture: magnificent performances were staged at the Monaco Opera, famous seasons of Russian ballet were held in Monaco. Monaco led an active diplomatic activity. According to the 1912 convention, French troops could be brought into the territory of the principality only at the prior request of the prince. In 1914, Albert I unsuccessfully tried to persuade the German emperor to refuse to start hostilities in the First World War. His son Louis served in the French army and rose to the rank of general during the First World War.

Officially, Monaco remained neutral in the First World War, but France feared that the principality might fall under German influence, since the heir, Louis, was not married, and the prince's cousin, Duke Wilhelm von Urach, was a subject of Germany. July 17, 1918 Monaco was forced to sign an agreement with France, which entered into force on June 23, 1919. The French Republic recognized and guaranteed the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Principality. In turn, the government of the principality undertook to act "in accordance with the political, military, maritime and economic interests of France" and coordinate its foreign policy with it. Only Monegasque or French citizens approved by the French government could become heirs or regents of Monaco. In the event that the princely dynasty ceased, Monaco was to form an autonomous state under the protectorate of France. The French army and navy received the right to occupy Monaco, even without the consent of the prince.

A political crisis erupted in the country in 1918 when the National Council refused to recognize the legitimacy of a daughter born out of wedlock to the heir to the throne, Louis. On October 30, 1918, the authorities issued an ordinance allowing the heir to adopt or adopt children in the absence of his own legitimate descendants.

Louis II (1922-1949) tried to preserve the independence of the principality in a difficult international situation and in the conditions of the economic crisis of the 1930s. During the Second World War, the troops of the warring powers entered the territory of the Principality twice. The prince's grandson served in the French army during the war.

Modern Monaco.

The grandson of Louis II, Prince Rainier III, who took the throne in 1949, contributed to the development of the principality's economy (tourism, industry), scientific research, sports and culture. Having preserved the traditional image of a luxurious tourist center and a gambling paradise (in 1973, the casino provided only 5% of budget revenues), the country has also turned into a business, industrial and cultural center. Due to the drainage of sea areas, the area of ​​​​the state during his reign increased by 1/5. In 1981, the city of Fontvieille was founded on the territory reclaimed from the sea to the west of the Rock of Monaco. Plans are under way to extend the land on which the Rock of Monaco is located far into the sea and to significantly expand the territory of Monte Carlo. The mastered sites will be built up, they are going to build an underground railway and a station there.

In the field of economy, measures were taken to develop the hotel business, modernize the tourism infrastructure and facilities suitable for holding international meetings and congresses. Created modern industry and trade, which became the basis of income in the budget of the principality. Major work has been done in the country on the construction of port facilities, an underground railway, administrative buildings, the reconstruction and expansion of a hospital, urban infrastructure, tunnels and parking lots. A new stadium and a water stadium, an airport for helicopters have been built.

In 1966, the Monegasque state decided to strengthen its control over such an important source of income as the Society of Sea Bathing. Threatening to nationalize the casino, it bought up most of the company's shares.

New education laws improved compulsory schooling. New schools were built, measures were taken to develop sports and culture. The prince established awards for composers and writers, opened the palace for concerts of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. The princely family patronized the organization of art festivals and ballet performances. In 1954, the Monte Carlo television station began operating, and since 1961 the International Television Festival has been held. Scientific research was developed: a Scientific Center, a laboratory for marine radioactivity, a center for underwater resources of the sea, etc. were opened in the principality.

In foreign policy, emphasis was placed on maintaining close relations with France. The French presidents and the Prince of Monaco have repeatedly exchanged official visits. In 1951, both countries signed a convention on good neighborliness and mutual assistance in the field of customs duties, taxes, postal services, television, and others. However, the tax problem caused friction in relations between states. France sought to return taxes from capitals settled in Monaco to its budget. On May 18, 1963, after the refusal of Monaco to make changes in the field of taxation and the establishment of French customs cordons on the border with the Principality, a new Franco-Monegasque convention was signed in Paris. It provided for the introduction in the Principality of income tax on the principles of French taxation. However, citizens of Monaco, French citizens living in the country for more than 5 years, and companies in whose capital the share of Monegasque capital exceeded 25% were exempted from the tax.

Monaco maintained official relations with various countries opened an embassy in Spain. In 1993 the country became a member of the UN.

In the late 1990s, Monaco was increasingly accused of becoming an international offshore center for money laundering. In 2000, a commission of the French National Assembly submitted a report and recommended that French banking control be extended to the principality. Parliamentarians argued that the number of fake companies registered in Monaco in 1998 amounted to about 6 thousand, 49 banks had 340 thousand accounts, and the owners of 2/3 of them lived abroad. It was argued that the justice of the principality, dependent on the princely house, does not take any measures in order to stop the current situation.

On October 24, 2002, after three years of negotiations, a new treaty was signed between Monaco and France, replacing the treaty of 1918. It confirmed the "traditional friendship" of the two countries, French guarantees of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Principality and the obligation of Monaco to exercise its sovereignty in accordance with "fundamental interests of the French Republic in the spheres of politics, economy, security and defense”, as well as to coordinate their foreign policy with France. Monaco has the right to open diplomatic missions abroad or transfer representation of its interests to France. The provisions on the possibility of changing the order of succession and the introduction of French troops were formulated much softer than in 1918. The text of the treaty only stated that the territory of Monaco was "inalienable", that France should be informed of the change in the succession to the throne, and that French troops could enter the territory Monaco only with the consent of the prince or at his request (except in cases where independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened, but the normal functioning of power is interrupted).

Rainier III kept the political life of the principality under tight control. In 1950, the authorities banned the activities of the Communist Party. In elections to the National Council until 1958, the National Democratic Accord bloc, a coalition of the Party of Radical Socialists and the Monegasque Democratic Party, won, and in 1958 it was overtaken by the National Union of Independents. In January 1959, the National Council was dissolved, and the 1911 constitution was suspended. In January 1961, the prince appointed a new parliament. And on December 17, 1962, the country received a new constitution, confirming the broad powers of the monarch. Legislative power belonged to the prince and the elected National Council, and the executive power belonged to the Government Council, consisting of the Minister of State and three advisers. At the same time, the Minister of State (head of the Government Council) had to be a French citizen and was appointed by the prince from among three candidates recommended by the President of France. Parliament did not have the right to control the activities of the government and to come up with legislative initiatives.

In 1963, women in Monaco received the right to vote. In elections to the National Council in 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998, the National Democratic Union (NDU) party, formed as a result of the merger of the National Union of Independents and the National Democratic Accord, consistently won. So, during the 1998 elections, the VAT collected more than 67% of the vote and received all 18 seats in the National Council. The opposition parties National Union for the Future of Monaco and the Union for the Monegasque Family got 23% and 9% of the vote, respectively.

In 1981, for the first time in its history, a general strike of workers took place in the principality, demanding the expansion of trade union rights, guarantees for the preservation of jobs and the fight against inflation. There are trade unions in Monaco.

Jean-Émile Reymond (1963–1966), Paul Demange (1966–1969), François Didier Greg (1969–1972), André Saint-Miér (1972–1981), Jean Erly (1981– 1985), Jean Ossay (1985–1991), Jacques Dupont (1991–1994), Paul Dijoud (1994–1997) and Michel Levesque (1997–2000). In January 2000, NDS member Patrick Leclerc was appointed Chief Minister.

Monaco in the 21st century

In 2002, the constitution of the Principality of Monaco was revised. This was preceded by discussions in the Council of Europe and demands to introduce a parliamentary regime in the country, including the responsibility of the government to parliament. The members of the National Council unanimously rejected such changes, considering them a path leading to political destabilization. However, the powers of the legislature were expanded. By new constitution, the National Council received the right to initiate legislation and put forward bills, to which the government is obliged to give an official and reasoned response within 6 months. It can amend government projects, approve the introduction of direct and indirect taxes, as well as extrabudgetary spending, and ratify all international treaties that change existing legislation.

In February 2003, regular elections were held in Monaco to the National Council, which was expanded from 18 to 24 members. An innovation was also the introduction of elements of a proportional voting system and a reduction in the age of voters from 21 to 18 years. The election campaign was stubborn. The main struggle was between the VAT, led by Jean-Louis Campora, chairman of the National Council since 1993, and the opposition tri-party list of the Union for Monaco, led by former VAT member Stéphane Valéry. Both groups emphasized giving the citizens of Monaco priority in finding employment and housing, and protecting the traditional values ​​of the Principality. For the first time in 40 years, elections put an end to the political dominance of the VAT, which managed to win only 3 seats in the National Council. Defeated the "Union for Monaco", which received 21 seats; its leader S.Valeri was elected as the new chairman of the National Council.

Literature:

Pechnikov B.A. The numbers on the map are... M., 1986



"Key to the City" - a series of guides to city-states that live by their own laws, are proud of their own heroes, celebrate and dress in mourning out of place with the rest of the world. Three materials are devoted to Monaco - the city of millionaires, Macau - the Chinese copy of Porto and Melilla - the exclave of Spain in Morocco, built by a student of Gaudi. The special project was prepared with the support of the urban planning company A101 DEVELOPMENT.

It is hard to believe that today in some country of the world newspaper editorials and main pages of news sites gossip about the guests of charitable receptions, are touched by everyday events in the life of the princely family and make noise about the latest results of the local football club. Nevertheless, such a country exists - it is the Principality of Monaco. The tiny city-state is considered to be synonymous with luxury living: for decades, wealthy people from all over the world come to Monaco for the weekend to lose fortunes in the casino, drive around the Côte d'Azur in a convertible and wash down the dishes of Michelin chefs with collectible champagne.

Building Boom

In addition to cinematic landscapes and an ideal climate with 300 sunny days a year, businessmen are attracted to Monaco by a specific taxation system. Citizens here pay no income tax, and taxes on the activities of foreign companies and resident entrepreneurs are collected by the city-state at a reduced rate. It is because of this that at the beginning of the 20th century, almost immediately after Monaco gained independence, financiers, bankers and industrialists poured here with all their capital.

The population of the country began to arrive before our eyes, and with it the income of the principality grew. However, there is no sky without clouds. Monaco is not without reason called a dwarf state - its area is only two square kilometers (half smaller than New York's Central Park). It is not difficult to guess that after the influx of people wishing to become citizens of Monaco, land suitable for construction became less and less. This is how a real construction boom began in Monaco - multi-storey residential and office buildings made of glass and concrete began to grow here and there.

The profitability from the construction of skyscrapers in Monaco is 100 percent, so construction in the principality does not stop for a single day. Living space here, despite the highest prices in the world (one square meter costs 17,000 euros on average!), is literally crazy popular. Apartments in new buildings in Monaco are considered a profitable investment and never stand idle waiting for a buyer. However, very often no one lives in the purchased apartments for years - in this sense, Monaco can be called a country of empty houses.

Who lives in a microcity

Thanks to the attraction of foreign capital and active construction, Monaco is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet - almost 36 thousand people live in the principality. About half of them are French, a quarter are the indigenous population of Monaco, Monegasques, and the rest of the inhabitants represent 125 different nationalities. Despite the fact that Russians are not numerous here, Russian names are often heard in Monaco. In the 2000s, the residents of Rublyovka, or rather their wives, held countless balls and parties in the principality, investor Dmitry Rybolovlev bought the Monaco football club in 2011, and Abramovich’s yacht with enviable constancy does not fit in the small harbor of the principality.

Casino Monte Carlo

Today the city-state is divided into ten small areas, and in the plans of the local authorities to build the 11th on the drained sea territories. But the whole social life in Monaco, by and large, revolves around two buildings: a palace in the old city, where the Prince of Monaco lives with his wife, and the famous casino, which is located in the Monte Carlo area.

It was the casino that at one time brought fame and wealth to the principality. In the middle of the 19th century, the entrepreneur François Blanc opened a gambling house on the rocky cliffs of Monaco, around which the city of Monte Carlo quickly grew up with its gardens, beaches, hotels, seaport and railway. Since card games and roulette were banned in many other countries of the world, and Las Vegas in its present form did not exist at all, the casino in Monaco quickly became a favorite vacation spot for many world famous rich people. Coming here, they left six-figure sums in hotels, restaurants and casinos - income from gambling increased the state budget of Monaco.

Today, Monaco exists mainly due to tourism, construction and a large number of foreign resident companies. Gambling brings much less income to Monaco than in the old days, although the casino certainly has a huge symbolic value for the country of big money.

Transport networks in Monaco

On the way to Monaco, you need only 1.5 euros - that's how much a bus ride from neighboring Nice costs. A train ticket will cost a little more - 4 euros, but this is an excellent reason to visit the Monaco station. The railway station, along with the princely palace and the Jacques-Yves Cousteau Museum of Oceanology, is considered one of the main attractions of the principality - it was built in the rock on a hill, its halls are finished with white marble, and special lighting creates the effect of a golden glow. You can exit the station in two opposite directions - to the old town or to the casino area.

Monaco is a small but multilevel country. For the convenience of pedestrians, seven escalators-elevators were built here, on which you can climb from the embankment to the old city. You can also travel around Monaco by bus. There are only three intracity routes, they run according to a strict schedule and quite rarely - about once every half an hour. There are five tourist routes in Monaco. A day pass will cost 3.5 euros, for which you can see all the most interesting places countries.

Of course, the most convenient way to get around Monaco is by car. The city-state is equally known for its beautiful roads and luxury cars driving around them, and not only during the Formula 1 auto race. However, the roads of Monaco are famous not only beautiful views, but also steep serpentines. On one of them, having lost control of the car, the tenth Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly died: the car in which the princess and her daughter were, fell off a cliff.

Grace Kelly

American actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco met at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955 and exchanged love letters for a year, after which Rainier went to Philadelphia to ask her parents for Grace's hand in marriage. A couple of weeks later, a solemn wedding ceremony took place in Monaco, which turned the Queen of Hollywood into the Princess of Monaco.

It didn’t take long for the inhabitants of the principality to fall in love with Grace Kelly: she always looked great, was well-educated and shone at social events, did charity work, and during her outings to the people, anyone could shake her hand. In addition, her worldwide fame led to the second wave of Monaco's popularity, where rich people finally began to come not only for the sake of casinos and yacht clubs.

In September 1982, Grace Kelly, who always traveled with a personal driver, decided to drive a car herself on the pretext of a serious conversation with her daughter Stephanie. All the way the princess complained of a migraine, then exclaimed that she did not see anything and confused the brake with the gas, sending the car down the cliff. Grace Kelly died the day after the accident. Members of royal families, famous film actors and representatives of foreign governments came to say goodbye to the princess. The streets of Monaco were full of mourners, and about 100 million more viewers watched the funeral on TV.

Many years have passed since the death of Grace Kelly, but the inhabitants of Monaco and the rest of the world still remember her dedication and kindness. One of the central streets of the principality is named after her, and thousands of tourists visit the grave of the princess in the Grimaldi family crypt every year.

JSC "A101 Development" is implementing the largest urban development project in Russia "A101" in New Moscow - the unification of residential areas of different architectural design with a common concept perfect place for life.

The State of Monaco (Principality of Monaco) is an independent sovereign city - a state located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea) at the foot of the Alps, covering an area equal to 2 to 3 square kilometers, bordering France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea, 20 km from the Italian border.
Monaco belongs to the small "dwarf states", these also include: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, San Marino and the Vatican.
Capital- Monaco
Administrative division- principalities.
Compound - four administrative districts-cities: Monaco, Monte Carlo, La Condamine ( port part) and Fontvieille (business part).
The border of the principality passes with the French cities of the department of La Turbie: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Cap d "Ail, Beausoleil, etc.
The state has two seaports: in the district of Fontvieille, the port of Hercules (Hercules) - small ships stop here and the port of Bay d'Hercule (Hercule) where cruise ships stop, it is located in the center of the Condamine district.
In ancient times, the rock of Monaco was a haven for primitive tribes. The history of Monaco dates back to the 13th century, in June, namely from June 10, 1215.
On this day, the first stone of the castle was laid by the Gibelins family, which is currently the Prince's Palace. To attract new residents here, favorable conditions were created: territorial concessions, the abolition of duties, people were exempted from taxes, so far the inhabitants of Monaco do not pay taxes.
The centuries-old history of Monaco is closely connected with the Grimaldi dynasty, whose 700th anniversary was celebrated in 1997 - the anniversary of the reign of the Principality of Monaco.
The official language is French, spoken - Monegasque dialect, however, Italian and English are widely used. The traditional language "Le Monegù", spoken by the older generation, is taught in all local schools.
Currency Euro, but only with the sign of Monaco, the state is part of the Schengen zone, but is a member of the European Union.
Native people- Monegasques.
"Deo Juvante", which means "With God's Help" is the motto of Monaco and its princes. Catholicism was elevated to the rank of state religion. However, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution and several religions are represented in the Principality. Obtaining citizenship here is not so easy: you either need to be born here in a Monegasque family or marry (marry) a citizen (citizen) of this small state.
November 19 is considered a national holiday. Telephone code Monaco "377", telecommunications are very convenient and affordable. Monaco prints its own stamps.
Based on the latest official census data, the Principality of Monaco has 35,646 inhabitants, of which 7,634 live in Monaco, with a composition of 10,029 French and 6,596 Italians. In total, more than 125 nationalities are represented. Monaco and neighboring French cities make up approximately 95,515 people.
Thanks to his geographic location The Principality of Monaco has very mild winters and surprisingly sunny summers that are generally not very scorching. In fact, the results of the last 60 years of research show that the average temperature is 16°C, it rains on average 87 days a year, and the sun shines 7 hours a day. Sea water temperature ranges from 11°C in winter to 26°C in summer. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, Monaco is a pleasant place to live all year round. In addition, it is worth noting that ski resorts The Alps are only an hour away from the coast.
Entry into the Principality of Russians is carried out on a visa basis.
The main source of income for the Principality of Monaco is the receipt of tax from the casino located in Monte Carlo. Residents of the state are exempt from paying taxes, but they themselves are prohibited from visiting the casino, including the princely family.
Rent or buy a home living in Monaco is quite an expensive pleasure, which has its own characteristics. Prices start from 1 million euros for a studio apartment. Rent costs from several thousand euros and payment is taken not monthly, but at least for six months, you will still have to pay an agency fee and a deposit. The average salary is 2.5 thousand euros, in France the average salary is about 1800 euros.
Prices in the chain of shops of the same name in Monaco is lower than in France and this is due to the absence of taxes, which is a pleasant surprise for travelers. The price of food in restaurants is overpriced "over-price", therefore, in order to eat deliciously, it's easier to roll up to Italy and enjoy both taste and price.

How to get to Monaco

The state does not have its own airport, there was simply no place, and therefore you will have to travel in transit. Fly by plane to Nice (Cote d'Azur is the nearest airport), then transfer to a suburban train (the nearest station is Gare Nice-Saint-Augustin) and by rail we reach in 25 minutes, by bus (red-orange, the first departure is approximately at 8-45 and last at 21 o'clock, the fare is 22 euros, the ticket must be printed), the journey takes about 45 minutes, of course, if there are no traffic jams.A taxi ride will cost you 60-70 euros.
Travel time from Paris 5 hours by TGV, from Milan 4 hours 30 minutes, www.monaco-gare.com
A branch of the Marseille-Saint-Charles railway line to Ventimiglia (Italy). Train Station(Gare de Monaco-Monte-Carlo) of the principality is located in the rock, the northern outskirts of the principality.
By sea through the port of Monaco.
You can travel around the country - the principality by bus, for example, route number 2, it passes through the entire state. You can walk around Monaco in 45 minutes. The Principality is stretched for two kilometers on the coast of the Ligurian Sea.

Underground station in Monaco. Monte Carlo, Cote d'Azur. The Formula 1 circuit runs along this street. Oceanographic Museum. Monument to the yellow submarine Jacques-Yves Cousteau. On the way, it’s good to make a stop where, as a souvenir, leave yourself a mandatory photo against the backdrop of an incredibly beautiful view of Monaco and the bay from a bird’s eye view of the harbor on the Cote d'Azur, with magnificent white yachts.
What to visit in Monaco?
Monaco-Ville is the ancient capital of the Principality of Monaco, which was built on the very top of a cliff, at an altitude of 60 meters above sea level, it is called the "Old Town" or La Roche, from the French word "Rock".
Once in Monaco, try to visit the Prince's Palace, the Wax Museum, the Oceanographic Museum, where fish from all the seas of the world are collected in 7 aquariums, in front of the building there is a yellow bathyscaphe Jacques-Yves Cousteau - he was the director of the museum from 1958 to 1988. The Cathedral of Monaco. On the northeastern edge of the rock of Monaco is Fort Antoine. Picturesque gardens of Saint Martin. Chapel of the Chapelle de la Misericord. Museum of Napoleon.

Photographs of the streets of Monaco. Rock. Principality of Monaco. Oceanographic Museum, a monument in front of the museum represents the fragility of the earth. Museum (fr. Musée océanographique de Monaco) - united the museum itself and the oceanographic institute, the year of foundation of the museum is considered to be 1889, the oceanographic institute opened in 1906. For a long time, the director of the museum was Jacques Yves Cousteau. The Oceanographic Museum sometimes holds promotions for visitors: the opportunity to visit its walls in the late evening: from 19:00 to midnight for half the price.
Monument to Albert I, the founder of the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco. Church of Saint Devota. In the photo, the police in Monaco.
For Monaco and Monte Carlo, such "synonyms" of casinos, luxury, villas, wealth, presentability, sea, sun, pleasure have long been entrenched!

On the walk of fame of champions - football stars, in Monaco we meet prints of various celebrities.

Transport

There is no airport in the Principality of Monaco. The nearest airport is in Nice - France. The airport in Nice is the third largest airport in France. The airport has two terminals, between which free buses run.
Transport in Monaco is represented by public bus routes running from 6 am to 9 pm, they converge at Place d'Armes, city routes (there are six of them) are laid to tourist attractions. The main six transport routes.
The mode of transport is free escalators that take you to higher streets, there are 7 of them in Monaco.
There is a regular helicopter service between Monaco and Nice airport, the flight time Nice / Monaco is approximately 6 - 7 minutes, the cost is 75 euros per person.
Taxi
Tourist transport is represented by a train with red carriages.
Car rent.
Water transport: water bus (Bateau Bus) and taxi, the cost of the trip is 2 euros.
The Fontvieille district is the industrial part of Monaco, here, in addition to factories, there are commercial firms, various institutions and tourist infrastructure.

The cost of the trip is 2 euros, including a transfer within 30 minutes. Ticket price for 1 day 5 euros. Children under the age of 7 travel free.

Communication in Monaco

Airport information - 0836-695-555.
Taxi phone number, round-the-clock - 93-150-101.
Inquiries about lost things - 93-153-015.
Police - 17 or 93-153-015.
For the convenience of residents, round-the-clock telephones for calling a taxi are installed on the streets.
Security and law and order
There is practically no crime in the Principality, it is the lowest in Europe. The police meet, but the video cameras installed in in large numbers and the police serving in civilian uniforms are doing their positive work.
Tourist program usually includes:
During the walking part of the tour, the program includes free visits to the main attractions of the Principality: the Oceanographic Museum, the palace of Prince Albert I of Monaco with its magnificent gardens, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. Then the tour continues to Monte Carlo, where you will get to know the two main attractions:
a chic "millionaire's casino" where fortunes are easily acquired and lost, and part of the unique Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix circuit, which runs right through the streets of the city.

Photo on the way to Monaco. There is a fee at the entrance, the cost of being tourist bus is 145 euros for 12 hours, then we pass the post and move along the streets to a special bus stop located next to the oceanographic museum, from there the journey around the principality begins. After arrival, tourists go up to the Museum of Oceanography, but their path passes through souvenir shops and here the guide gives time to clean up before a tour of Monaco.

Video visit to Monaco

Video tour of Monaco.

View of Monaco from above, panorama, click to enlarge the image.

(fr. Principauté de Monaco) - a dwarf state located in southern Europe on the Mediterranean coast; on land borders with France. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. It will take the average person just 56 minutes to walk across the country. The name of the country comes from the ancient Greek "monoikos" - "hermit". The Principality is well known for its casinos in Monte Carlo and the Monaco Grand Prix, which is held here.

The country is a member of such international organizations as: the UN (since 1993), OSCE, Council of Europe (since 2004), Interpol, UNESCO, WHO. The main office of the International Hydrographic Organization is located in Monaco. Monaco has 10 diplomatic missions in Western Europe and permanent representatives to the UN and the Council of Europe. There are honorary consulates of Monaco in 106 cities in 45 countries. 66 countries have consulates general, consulates or honorary consulates in Monaco

Story

The history of modern Monaco begins in 1215 with the founding of a colony of the Republic of Genoa on the territory of the principality and the construction of a fortress.

On January 8, 1267, during the civil war in Genoa, Monaco was occupied by Francois Grimaldi and his supporters. This date is considered to be the beginning of the reign of the Grimaldi dynasty and the existence of the independent state of Monaco. Since then, for more than 700 years, the principality has been ruled by representatives of this family.

In 1789 the country was annexed by France.

The Treaty of Paris (first) on May 30, 1814 restored the principality within the borders that existed before January 1, 1792, under a French protectorate.

After the final collapse of the Empire, according to the Treaty of Paris (second) on November 20, 1815, Monaco was transferred to the protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

In March 1860, in gratitude for the military assistance provided by the French Emperor Napoleon III to the unification of Italy, the Kingdom of Sardinia ceded to France Savoy and the county of Nice, including Menton and Roquebrune. July 18, 1860 Sardinia withdrew its troops from Monaco, thus putting an end to the protectorate.

In 1865, a casino was opened in Monte Carlo and a customs union with France was created, which significantly pushed economic development countries.

The first constitution to limit the power of the princes was enacted in 1911.

In 1993 Monaco became a full member of the UN.

Wide interest in Monaco aroused the wedding in 1956 of the then ruler Prince Rainier III (succeeded in 1949) with Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Renier also launched active construction in Monaco.

On March 31, 2005, Prince Rainier III, being too ill to exercise his powers, transferred them to his only son and heir, Prince Albert. Rainier died April 6, 2005.

The current reigning son is Rainier III, Prince Albert II, who took the throne after his father's death in 2005.

State structure

According to the form of government, Monaco is a constitutional monarchy, with some secondary signs of dualism. The head of state is the prince.

The state structure of the country is regulated by the constitution, which was put into effect on December 17, 1962. The Constitution, in particular, although it proclaims the principle of separation of powers, the power of the prince is absolute (it cannot be limited by anything or anyone). In 2002 the principality's constitution was revised. Officially, the powers of the legislature (National Council) were somewhat expanded.

Executive power is represented by the Minister of State (head of government) and the four-member State Council (government) headed by him. The Minister of State is a French citizen who is appointed by the prince for a period of 3 years on the proposal of the French government.

Legislative power is divided between the prince and a unicameral National Council (Parliament) of 24 members elected every 5 years by universal suffrage. In 2002, the parliament received the right of legislative initiative (previously it belonged only to the prince). The Council can amend government projects, approve the introduction of taxes. It also ratifies international treaties that modify existing domestic legislation.

The judicial branch of government is also headed by the prince; various courts administer justice on his behalf.

Main political organizations: Union for the Principality, National Union for the Future of Monaco, Association for the Development of the Monegasque Society, National Democratic Union. The union of trade unions of Monaco has about 5,000 members.

Geographical position

Monaco is located in southern Europe on the Mediterranean coast near the French Cote d'Azur, 20 km northeast of Nice. On land, the Principality borders on France, the department of Alpes-Maritimes (Alpes-Maritimes).

The area of ​​the country is 2.02 km² (almost double less area Central Park in New York). The length of the coastline is 4.1 km, the length land borders– 4.4 km. Over the past 20 years, the country's territory has increased by almost 40 hectares due to the drainage of marine areas.

Administrative divisions of Monaco

Administratively, the Principality is divided into 3 communes (quartiers), which in turn are divided into 10 districts (wards). The division of the principality into three communes is legalized by the decree of the Constitution of Monaco of 1911. Based on the amendment to the constitution of Monaco of 1917, the principality consists of only one single and indivisible commune, which in turn consists of 10 districts.

Population

As of 2006, the population of Monaco is 35,656 people. The population density is 18,285 people/km². Such a high population density is due to the fact that Monaco is a dwarf state. The annual population growth is 0.386% per year (2007 data). According to 2008 data, the average life expectancy is 79.96 years. The population is slightly dominated by women. The ratio of the number of men to the number of women is 0.91 (according to 2004 data). 62% of the population is among the able-bodied. The literacy rate is 99%. National composition:
French - 47%
Monegasques - 16%
Italians - 16%
others - 21%. This large category includes representatives of 125 nationalities.

Religion

The official religion is Catholicism. However, Monaco's constitution guarantees freedom of religion. There are 5 Catholic parish churches in Monaco and one Cathedral, which houses the chair of the Archbishop of Monaco. The diocese, which existed since the middle of the nineteenth century, was transformed into the diocese of the archbishop in 1981.
Anglicanism

Monaco has one Anglican church (St. Paul's Church) located in Monte Carlo. In 2007, there were 135 parishioners who are citizens of Monaco. However, the church serves a larger number of parishioners, mostly tourists. The church also has a library with over 3,000 books in English.

The Cultural Israeli Organization of Monaco (founded in 1948) includes a synagogue, a Jewish school and a kosher grocery store located in Monte Carlo. The community (about 1500 members) mainly consists of Jews of retirement age from Britain (40%) and North America.

Economy

Benefits: Promised bank secrecy and low taxes attract billions from abroad. In the late 90s. the volume of funds kept in Monegasque banks had an annual increase of 18%. There is no external debt, foreign exchange reserves of about $ 2 billion. Low unemployment (3%).

Weak sides: in accordance with the agreement with France since 1994, suspicious accounts are opened by banks, as, indeed, it has become in all other countries. Dependence on economic fluctuations in France and Italy. VAT brings 55% of government revenue. EU demand to tighten banking and tax laws. Lack of resources, complete dependence on imports.

The principality is commonly known as tourist centre thanks to the casino and the wonderful climate: 300 sunny days a year. However, modern Monaco is characterized by having a well-developed and diversified economy in which tourism plays an important but not dominant role.

The Principality's GDP is estimated at US$870 million (1999). The main sectors of the economy are tourism, construction, pharmaceutical, chemical and electronic industries, banking and financial sector. The annual turnover of companies registered in the country exceeds 9 billion euros.

The unemployment rate is very low. The total number of jobs - 45,000 - exceeds the number of inhabitants of the country. A significant part of those working in Monaco are foreigners.

The Principality has a very liberal taxation system. The income of individuals (both citizens of the country and foreigners permanently residing in Monaco, with the exception of the French) is not taxed.

The Principality has close economic ties with France. The two countries have common customs and financial systems. Monaco is dependent on French electricity imports.

Until 2002, Monaco minted its own national currency, the Monegasque franc, however, on January 1, 2002, a new currency, the euro, was put into circulation in Monaco. The country received the right to mint its own euro-coins with a national pattern on one side of the coin.

Legal system

The legal system of Monaco belongs to the Romano-Germanic legal family and has significant similarities with French law. In a number of areas (insurance, telecommunications, postal services, etc.), French laws directly apply.

The Constitution of Monaco (Article 2) assigns to the Principality the status of a law-based state based on respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms.

The main source of civil law is the Civil Code of 1881, which is a variant of the French Civil Code of 1804. The Commercial Code of Monaco is also very close to its French counterpart.

The economic legislation of Monaco is aimed at attracting foreign capital to the country by providing an ultra-favorable tax regime. About 800 international companies and 50 banks operate in the country.

The labor law of Monaco generally complies with international standards. Workers are free to form trade unions. The Constitution enshrines the right to strike in accordance with the law. The law prohibits civil servants from striking. The statutory working week is 39 hours.

The main source of criminal law is the Criminal Code of Monaco. The death penalty for all crimes was abolished by the Constitution of 1962 (Article 20). Last the death penalty took place in 1847.

In legal proceedings, with some exceptions, French law also dominates. According to the Constitution (Article 19), arrest (other than arrest at the scene of a crime) is allowed only on the basis of a court order issued no later than 24 hours from the moment of arrest.

Transport

Monaco is connected to the outside world through rail, road, sea and air transport.

The length of the railway network is 1.7 km. The gauge is 1.435 m. The railways are operated by the French national railway company SNCF. The Principality is linked to France both by regional routes and high-speed trains TGV.

The total length of highways is 50 km (All roads are paved) There are 6 bus routes, as well as a bus service to Nice Airport. In total, there are 143 bus stops in Monaco.

The city has two seaports: in the areas of La Condamine and Fontvieille.

The Principality is connected by helicopter to Nice Airport.

Climate

The climate of Monaco is subtropical, Mediterranean, with hot dry summers (average temperatures 28-30 degrees) and mild rainy winters (average temperatures 10-12 degrees. The vast majority of precipitation falls in autumn and winter. In general terms, the climate is similar south coast France.

Sport

Every year since 1929, Monaco has hosted one of the most prestigious motorsport competitions, the Monaco Grand Prix, which has been part of the Formula 1 World Championship since 1950. The route runs along the streets of the city. The Auto Club of Monaco also holds the Monaco Rally, which is included in the calendar of the leading rally championships. However, the rally itself is carried out mostly on the territory of France, and only Maintenance and exhibition special stages are held in the Principality itself.

Also based in Monaco is the football club of the same name (Monaco FC), which plays in the French football championship. The club performs at Stade Louis II in Fontvieille. At the same time, the Monaco Football Federation is not recognized by FIFA, and the club plays for France in the international arena. At the same time, Monaco is a member of the NF-Board, which organizes matches of unrecognized football teams.

Monaco hosts one of the stages of the Global Champions Tour (international show jumping tournament). This stage is recognized as the most prestigious of the series, hosting the most famous riders from all over the world. In 2009, the stage in Monaco was held on June 25-27.

In July 2009, Monaco hosted the opening of the Tour de France (Le Tour de France). On July 2, in the La Condamine district, the opening of the Tour de France took place. On July 4, the first stage of the cycling race took place on the territory of the principality, cyclists rode 15 km along the city streets, and on July 5, the second stage of the Tour de France began in Monaco.

In Monaco, the Stade Louis II traditionally hosts matches for the UEFA Super Cup in August each year, in which the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the owner of the UEFA Cup meet.

culture

Monaco is significant cultural center. Built in 1879 by the architect Charles Garnier (author of the Paris Opera), the Garnier Hall is the home of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Monte-Carlo Opera.

Over the years, Nelly Melba, Enrico Caruso, Fyodor Chaliapin, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti sang on this stage. In 1911, Diaghilev's Russian Ballet was founded here by Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev under the auspices of Prince Pierre of Monaco. Anna Pavlova, Vatslav Nijinsky, Tamara Karsavina, George Balanchine, Serge Lifar danced here. Later - Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Monaco is the capital and residence of the Prince of Monaco

In Monte Carlo, the Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance was created, headed by Marika Bezobrazova. The Prince Pierre Foundation, founded by Rainier III in honor of his father, annually presents the Grand Prize for Literature, the Prince Rainier III Music Prize and the International Prize for Contemporary Art.

The city is home to the famous Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, whose director was the legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Every year Monaco hosts the International Circus Festival and the International Television Festival.

The Russian artist Georgy Shishkin works and exhibits in Monaco (Christie’s, 1999, Grimaldi Forum, 2006), the author of paintings dedicated to Russia, Russian Dreams. Invited to the Palace to paint a portrait of the Prince of Monaco (1998), he created a number of postage stamps of Monaco: Salle Garnier, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Boris Pasternak, Portrait of Prince Albert II, Diaghilev's Centenary of the Russian Ballet.

Education

Primary and secondary education

There are 10 public schools in Monaco, including 7 kindergartens and primary schools and one secondary school (College Charles III), one lyceum providing general and technical education (Lyceum Albert I) and one lyceum providing tourism education. Also in Monaco there are two private schools funded by religious communities (Institut François d'Assis Nicolas Barré and the Dominican School) and one international school (International School of Monaco)

Higher education

There is only one institution of higher education in Monaco, the International Institute of Monaco.

Foreign relations of Monaco

Monaco and France have a very peculiar relationship. The French constitution says that this country does not recognize the independence of Monaco, but the independence of the Grimaldi dynasty. Thus, Monaco will be immediately occupied by France if the Grimaldi line is stopped. Already, French troops can be located on the territory of Monaco. The sovereignty of Monaco is guaranteed by numerous conventions with France. According to the agreement of 1918, 2 out of 4 seats in the Government Council, including the post of Minister of State, are occupied by representatives of France.

Armed forces

There are 82 people under arms. Monaco, apparently, is the only state in the world where the size of the regular army is less than the size of the military band (85 people). Sometimes there is work for the army:

"- It happened in 1962, - ... - The fate of Monaco hung in the balance. French President General de Gaulle threatened the principality to turn off electricity and water supply if it did not stop poaching bankers and did not introduce income tax. 80 guardsmen Royal Palace and 207 Monaco police officers were alerted. Fortunately, the war did not happen. The prince made concessions ... "