Portal:Monaco

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

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

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

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Selected location article

The Casino Gardens and Terraces are public gardens that surround the Monte Carlo Casino in the Monte Carlo district of Monaco. The gardens contain lawns and fountains and a "Little Africa" garden. At the bottom of the terraces is Victor Vasarely's artwork Hexa Grace, made of multi coloured tiles. The gardens were founded in the late 19th century and formed the largest public space in Monaco in the 1950s. The gardens are frequently used to display large public artworks. The gardens were designed by the architect Edouard André. The original designs for the garden incorporated waterfalls stretching down a slope to terminate in a pond amidst sunken gardens. The trees washingtonia robusta and brachychiton populneus are prominent in the gardens.

A 1959 report on the gardens noted a long avenue of palm trees, in addition to flower beds, bottle trees, and cacti thriving in the frost free subtropic environment. (Full article...)

List of articles
Avenue Princesse Grace 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 1Charles Leclerc (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 2View of the Rock of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 3Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco FC (from Monaco)
Image 4Monte Carlo Casino (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 5Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 6La Condamine (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 7Embassy of Monaco, Paris, France (from Monaco)
Image 8The Mayor of Monaco announcing concessions, ending the absolute monarchy of Prince Albert I in 1910 (from Monaco)
Image 91978 Monégasque franc coin with an effigy of Rainier III (from Monaco)
Image 10The location of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 11The marriage of actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III brought media attention to the principality. (from Monaco)
Image 12Monaco-Ville (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 13Satellite view of Monaco, with the France–Monaco border shown in yellow (from Monaco)
Image 14In 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 15Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 16The Monaco harbour during the days of the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 17Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 18Monaco (as part of the Republic of Genoa) in 1494 (from Monaco)
Image 19Logo of the princely government of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 20Port Hercules (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 21Sainte-Dévote Chapel (from Monaco)
Image 22Rainier I, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 23Public art in Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 24Benjamin Balleret (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 25Jacques I, Prince of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 26Oceanographic Museum (from Monaco)
Image 27Albert II, Prince of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 28
Panoramic view of Monaco City and the port of Fontvieille
(from Monaco)
Image 29
Panoramic view of La Condamine and Monte Carlo
(from Monaco)
Image 30Wards of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 31
Panoramic view of Monaco from the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) high rock promontory
(from Monaco)
Image 32Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 33Formation lap for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (from Monaco)
Image 34A 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 35Prince Albert I of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 36A view of the 2011 Monaco Porsche Supercup. Motor racing is very popular, with one course encompassing almost the whole country. (from Monaco)
Image 37Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Monaco)
Image 38Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (from Monaco)
Image 39Enlargeable, detailed map of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 40Monte Carlo Casino (from Monaco)
Image 41Monte Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 42
Land reclamation in Monaco since 1861
(from Monaco)
Image 43Hôtel de Paris (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 44Satellite view with border (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 45Monaco's flag and its coat of arms (from Monaco)
Image 46Prince's Palace of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 47Fontvieille and its new harbour (from Monaco)
Image 48Fontvieille (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 49View of Monaco in 2016 (from Monaco)
Image 50The Rock of Monaco in 1890 (from Monaco)
Image 51Palace guards in Monaco (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

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...)

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

Selected arts article

Monaco chose its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in an internal selection by national broadcaster, Télé Monte Carlo. Séverine Ferrer was chosen to represent the principality with the song "La Coco-Dance", written and composed by J. Woodfeel and Iren Bo and choreographed by Bruno Vandelli.

As of 2024, this was Monaco's last entry in the contest, before the country withdrew the following year. The absence has continued in every edition since. (Full article...)

Selected religion article

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

With an area of 2.08 km² (0.80 sq mi), Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City. Its population of 38,367 in 2023 makes it the most densely-populated sovereign state, trailing only Macau. 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. (Full article...)

Selected sports article

The 1984 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monaco on 3 June 1984. It was race 6 of 16 in the 1984 FIA Formula One World Championship. It was the only race of the 1984 championship that was run in wet weather.

Alain Prost won the rain-curtailed race from pole position. He had battled with then-rookie Ayrton Senna for the lead, which Senna eventually gained on the thirty-second lap, but a red flag was thrown out and counted back to a lap back, making Prost the winner. Regardless, Senna achieved his first podium in Formula One and received praise for his efforts, while René Arnoux came behind in third. (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

Monacair is a Monegasque helicopter company based at Monaco Heliport, Monaco. The airline provides various services, including regular helicopter transfers between Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and Monaco, private flights and luxury experiences, helicopter tours, as well as helicopter maintenance, management, and handling services.

By appointment of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, the company has also provides transport for the Princely Family of Monaco, the Government of Monaco, and several Heads of State visiting the Principality. (Full article...)

Selected biography

Laetitia Aida Mikail (born mid-1980s) is a Monégasque lawyer and Director at the Junior Chamber of Economics of Monaco where she is responsible for business network events. As a result of her success, in the autumn of 2017, she was appointed to serve for the next three years on Monaco's Conseil Strategique pour l’Attractivité (Strategic Council for Attractiveness) which is involved in planning the country's future economic development. (Full article...)