Monaco travel guide — Monaco tourism and travel information

Monaco travel guide

about Monaco

The Principality of Honaco, known as Munegu in the local dialect, is a city state and the second-smallest country in the world, wedged in between the Mediterranean Sea and France along the French Riviera or Côte d'Azur (The Blue Coast). Consisting mostly of just the old city of Monaco and later built up areas, it is also among the most densely populated countries of the world.

Monaco geography

The Principality of Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world, after Vatican City. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, 18 kilometres east of Nice and near the Italian border, and is surrounded on three sides by France. It consists of a narrow strip along the coast at the bottom of the foothills of the Alps and its highest point is "Le Rocher" at 140 m.

The territory is almost entirely urbanised, resulting in it being the most densely populated country of the world. Monaco is divided into four sections or quarters (quartiers): Monaco-Ville, the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean; La Condamine, the section along the port; Monte Carlo, the principal residential and resort area with the casino; and Fontvieille, a newly constructed area reclaimed from the sea.

The principality is noted for its beautiful natural scenery and mild, sunny climate. The average minimum temperature in January and February is 8° C (47° F); in July and August the average maximum temperature is 26° C (78° F).

Monaco history

Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, when François Grimaldi seized the fortress protecting the famous rock while dressed up as a Franciscan monk; the only exception to this was from 1789 to 1814, when Monaco was under French control. Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Congress of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognised by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861.

The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a constitution was promulgated in 1911. In July 1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty, written into the Treaty of Versailles, established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political, military, and economic interests.

Prince Rainier III, the current ruler of Monaco, acceded to the throne following the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II, in 1949. The current heir apparent, Prince Albert, was born in 1958. A new constitution, proclaimed in 1962, abolished capital punishment, provided for female suffrage, and established a Supreme Court to guarantee fundamental liberties. In 1993, Monaco became an official member of the United Nations with full voting rights.

In 2002, a new treaty between France and Monaco clarifies that if there are no heirs to carry on the dynasty, the Principality will remain an independent nation rather than revert to the French. Monaco's military defense, however, is still the responsibility of France.

See: List of the Princes of Monaco

Near cities to Monaco

• Cannes travel guide 34 km
• Grasse travel guide 38 km
• Cuneo travel guide 77 km
• Barcelonnette travel guide 96 km
• Toulon travel guide 130 km
• Gap travel guide 140 km
• Asti travel guide 150 km
• Alessandria travel guide 170 km
• Vercelli travel guide 200 km
• Bastia travel guide 200 km

Near webcams to Monaco

• Conseil National and Cathedrale webcam 3.9 km
• Monte Carlo webcam 4.6 km
• Monte Carlo webcam 4.6 km
• Monaco - World Trade Center webcam 4.6 km
• Nice webcam 11 km
• Ventimiglia - Cape Mele webcam 20 km
• San Remo webcam 33 km
• Diano Marina - Hotel Gabriella webcam 60 km
• Saint-Tropez webcam 77 km
• Le Lavandou webcam 100 km

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Monaco travel services

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