Portal:Monaco

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The Monaco Portal
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Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to nearly 39,000 residents as of the 2020s, of whom about 9,500 are Monégasque nationals. It is recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of Monaco is French. Monégasque, English and Italian are also spoken and understood by many residents.

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

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

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Selected location article

Grace Kelly, in *To Catch a Thief*, points towards the road (circled) which was later named after her.

The Avenue Princesse Grace is an avenue in the Larvotto ward of Monaco. It is named after Grace Kelly, Princess consort of Monaco. It is the most expensive street in the world according to Engel & Völkers. Property along the street is on average worth $17,750 per square foot or £73,000 per square metre. (Full article...)

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

Selected pictures

Image 1Jacques I, Prince of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 2Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 3
Panoramic view of La Condamine and Monte Carlo
(from Monaco)
Image 4Sainte-Dévote Chapel (from Monaco)
Image 5Atrium in Monte Carlo Casino (from Monaco)
Image 6Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (from Monaco)
Image 7Benjamin Balleret (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 8Walkway in the jardin exotique de Monaco (Exotic Gardens) (from Monaco)
Image 9Interior of Saint-Charles Church, Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 10Monte Carlo Casino (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 11Satellite view with border (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 12Oceanographic Museum (from Monaco)
Image 13Monte Carlo district (from Monaco)
Image 14The Monaco harbour during the days of the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 15Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 16View of Monaco in 2016 (from Monaco)
Image 17Saint Martin Gardens (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 18Hercules harbor from Rue des Remparts (from Monaco)
Image 19View of the Rock of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 20View out from the Saint Martin Gardens (from Monaco)
Image 21Monaco (as part of the Republic of Genoa) in 1494 (from Monaco)
Image 22Prince's Palace of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 23A map of the County of Nice showing the area of the Italian kingdom of Sardinia annexed in 1860 to France (light brown). The area in red had already become part of France before 1860 (from Monaco)
Image 24Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Monaco)
Image 25Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort overlooks the Mediterranean Sea (from Monaco)
Image 26Formation lap for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (from Monaco)
Image 27
Panoramic view of Monaco from the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) high rock promontory in 2020. Cap Martin is the jut of land in the distance, the Mediterrean sea is south
(from Monaco)
Image 28Buildings in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 29Chapel of Mercy, Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 30Boulevard Louis II passing under the Fairmont Hotel (from Monaco)
Image 31Pedestrian crossing on Avenue de la Costa (from Monaco)
Image 32Charles Leclerc (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 33Tunnel in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 34Monaco-Ville (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 35Photochrom of Monaco circa 1900 (from Monaco)
Image 36Fontvieille (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 37Monte Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 38Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 39Port Hercules, 2018 (from Monaco)
Image 40Le Portier (Mareterra) under construction in 2023 (from Monaco)
Image 41Monte Carlo Casino (from Monaco)
Image 42Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco FC (from Monaco)
Image 43La Condamine (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 44A view of the 2011 Monaco Porsche Supercup. Motor racing is very popular in Monaco, with the famous Grand Prix course using city streets and wrapping itself around the harbor (from Monaco)
Image 45Embassy of Monaco, Paris, France (from Monaco)
Image 462017 Monaco Grand Prix (from Monaco)
Image 47Street in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 48In the centre is La Condamine. At the right with the smaller harbour is Fontvieille, with The Rock (the old town, fortress, and Palace) jutting out between the two harbours. At the left are the high-rise buildings of La Rousse/Saint Roman. (from Monaco)
Image 49Logo of the princely government of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 501978 Monégasque franc coin with an effigy of Rainier III (from Monaco)
Image 51Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 52Poster for the Exposition De Monaco (1920) (from Monaco)
Image 53Theatre Des Muses of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 54Rainier I, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 55Public art in Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 56Albert II, Prince of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 57The marriage of Hollywood actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III brought media attention to the principality. (from Monaco)
Image 58Prince Albert I of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 59Palace guards in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 60Boulevard des Moulins meets Avenue Saint-Michel and Avenue de la Costa, Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 61
Land reclamation in Monaco since 1861
(from Monaco)
Image 62Wards of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 63Hôtel de Paris (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 64Ville ruelle in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 65Bus on Avenue d'Ostende (from Monaco)
Image 66Monaco's flag and its coat of arms (from Monaco)
Image 67The location of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 68Monaco coastline in October 2023, with a new apartment building (from Monaco)
Image 69Japanese Gardens (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 70Map of Monaco, 2014 (from Monaco)
Image 71Satellite view of Monaco, with the France–Monaco border shown in yellow (from Monaco)
Image 72Espresso at Café de Paris, Monte Carlo (from Monaco)
Image 73Rock of Monaco, 2009 (from Monaco)
Image 74The Mayor of Monaco announcing concessions, ending the absolute monarchy of Prince Albert I in 1910 (from Monaco)
Image 75Fontvieille and its new harbour (from Monaco)
Image 76Enlargeable, detailed map of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 77Port Hercules (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 78Monaco's famous hairpin turn, both a city street and part of its Grand Prix circuit (from Monaco)
Image 79The Rock of Monaco in 1890 (from Monaco)
Image 80Monaco's team competes in the two-man bobsled at the 2014 Olympics (from Monaco)
Image 81
Panoramic view of Monaco City and the port of Fontvieille
(from Monaco)

Selected ward

View of Monaco City

Monaco City (French: Monaco-Ville [mɔnakɔ vil]; Monégasque: Mùnegu Autu) is the southcentral ward in the Principality of Monaco. Located on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, it is nicknamed The Rock (French: Le Rocher; Monégasque: A Roca). The name "Monaco City" is misleading: it is not itself a city, but a historical and statistical district. It holds most of the country's political and judicial institutions: the Prince's Palace, the town hall, the government, the National Council (parliament of Monaco), the Municipal Council, the courts and a prison (hanging on The Rock). (Full article...)

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

Selected environment article

The Rock of Monaco (French: Rocher de Monaco; Monégasque: Roca de Mùnegu) is a 62-metre (203 ft) tall monolith on the Mediterranean coast of the Principality of Monaco. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the Port Hercules. (Full article...)

List of articles
Land reclamation in Monaco Mont Agel Port Hercules Tête de Chien

Selected arts article

The Eurovision Song Contest 1964 was the 9th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, following the country's victory at the 1963 contest with the song "Dansevise" by Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR), the contest was held at Tivolis Koncertsal on 21 March 1964, and was hosted by Danish TV presenter Lotte Wæver.

Sixteen countries participated in the contest. Portugal made its debut this year, whereas Sweden decided not to enter. (Full article...)

Selected religion article

The history of the Jews in Monaco goes back at least a century, most notably to the time of the Holocaust. Monaco had a very small Jewish presence before World War II, numbering approximately 300 people. During the war, the principality's government issued false identity papers to its Jewish residents to protect them from Nazi deportation. Prince Louis II refused to dismiss Jewish civil servants and protected Édouard de Rothschild from deportation. However, Monaco's police arrested and turned over 42 Central European Jewish refugees to the Nazis. Sixty Jews were arrested 27–28 August 1942, and ninety in total, according to The Algemeiner.

In 1948, the Association Cultuelle Israelite de Monaco was founded as the official organization of Monaco's Jewish community, and it provides the community with a synagogue, Hebrew school and no kosher food store, but a kosher section in some supermarkets. Today's Jewish community in Monaco consists primarily of retirees from France and the United Kingdom, and there is also a small population of North African and Turkish Jews. More Sephardic Jews came when they were expelled from countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen, and South America/ Spain. To them, Monaco and France were alternatives to Israel. (Full article...)

Selected sports article

The 1991 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monaco on 12 May 1991. It was the fourth race of the 1991 Formula One World Championship.

The 78-lap race was won from pole position by Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna, driving a McLaren-Honda. It was Senna's fourth victory from the first four races of the season, and his fourth Monaco win. Englishman Nigel Mansell finished second in a Williams-Renault, with Frenchman Jean Alesi third in a Ferrari. (Full article...)

Selected education article

Founded in 1986, the International University of Monaco (IUM) (French: Université internationale de Monaco) is located in the Principality of Monaco. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business specialized in finance, marketing, sport business management and international management, taught in English. Bachelor program at this university consists of 3 academic years. Masters program consists of 1 academic year. Prior to 2002, it was known as the University of Southern Europe. (Full article...)

Selected transportation article

Port Hercules (French: Port Hercule [pɔʁ ɛʁkyl]) is the only deep-water port in Monaco. The port has been in use since ancient times. The modern port was completed in 1926, and underwent substantial improvements in the 1970s. It covers almost 40 acres (160,000 m²), enough to provide anchorage for up to 700 vessels. The port is located in the La Condamine district. Harbour pilots are required for all vessels longer than 30 metres. The depth of water in the harbour ranges from seven metres for standard berths and up to 40 metres for the outer piers and cruise ship docks. (Full article...)