Monaco
Monaco is a city-state that is situated in the southwest of Europe and is on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is located about ten miles from Italy and borders France on three sides. This sovereign city is the world’s smallest French speaking country in the world and covers an area of only three quarters of a mile with a population of only thirty thousand residents. This city state is so small that a person can walk its entire length in about an hour. Monaco is considered by many to be a tax haven, and as such has attracted a population that is composed mainly of the extremely wealth and those who reside from other countries.
Monaco has a rich history that predates the middle ages. Officially, the city was founded in the twelfth century by Emperor Henry VI, after he bequeathed the land that Monaco is now situated on. In the early thirteenth century, the city was incorporated and founded as a colony of Genoa. During the late eighteenth century, the French captured the city and it remained under French authority until 1814. It was then reincorporated and designated as a protectorate of Sardinia under authority of the Congress of Vienna. It would serve in this capacity for forty-five years, until the surround area was ceded to France under the Treaty of Turin. By 1861, Monaco was recognized as a sovereign state under the Franco-Monegasque. In 1918, a sub-section of the Treaty of Versailles provided limited French protection of the city. During World War II, Monaco was conquered by the Italian army and then later occupied by Nazi forces. The Nazi’s then began a systematic deportation of the Jewish population. After the war, Prince Rainier III ascended to the throne of Monaco. In 1956 he married the American actress Grace Kelly. Other major events in the history of Monaco include the abolishment of capital punishment during the 1960s and Monaco joining the United Nations in 1993. In 2005, the son of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace Kelly ascended to the throne of Monaco after his father fell ill. Today, the city of Monaco derives most of its income from tourism. This is due in part to the pleasant climate, the stunning beaches and the lively casino scene that graces this city. But, tourism is far from the only economic activity of Monaco. The city also has a thriving financial sector.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Monaco is the Jardin Exotique de Monaco. The Jardin Exotique de Monaco is a beautiful botanical garden that is located on a one hundred and twenty foot cliff in the city. It was founded in 1933 and features the succulent garden and the caves. The garden contains species of plants from the United States, Africa, Arabia and South America. Examples of plants that can be seen here include cacti, aloes, African Crassula and other flowering plants. At the base of the cliff is a cave called Observatory Cave, that features calcareous rock formations, stalactites, stalagmites and helictites. Guided tours are given of the cave and during this tour visitors can see the proof of prehistoric humans that once inhabited the area. Also located on this site is the Anthropology Museum. This museum has two main sections, the Albert I Room and the Rainier III room. The Albert I Room presents an overview of the prehistory of mankind. It chronicles the evolution of humanity from Homo Erectus all the way to Homo Sapiens. It also features examples of extinct fauna and foliage and the animals that migrated during the interglacial periods. Other exhibits here include examples of the industries that were prevalent through the Neolithic and Palaeolithic civilizations. The Rainier III room focuses specifically on the region around Monaco. It features artifacts gathered from archaeological digs at the Observatory Cave and Red Rocks.
Another prominent attraction in Monaco is the Oceanographic Museum. The Oceanographic Museum was founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I and is a museum dedicated to the marine sciences. This museum took over eleven years to build and over fifty tons of stone was used for its construction. This museum contains two floors which are open to the public and contain many interesting and educational exhibits. Some of the exhibits located here include the skeleton of a whale, models of shifts and the oceanographic works of Prince Albert I. Also located here is an aquarium filled with over four thousand species of fish and over two hundred families of invertebrates. On the top floor of this museum is the restaurant named La Terrasse. Dining here visitors can get a fantastic view of Monaco, as well as a great view of the Italian Riviera. Visitors should also check out the museum shop and pick up a souvenir.
Other prominent attractions in Monaco include the Centre de Recontres, Fontvieille, Monaco Harbor, Monaco Cathedral, Larvotto, War Museum of the Princes of Monaco, Mareseille, Musee Napoleonien et des Archives Monegasques, Saller Garnier Opera House of Monaco, Cap d’Ail, Prince of Monaco’s Private Collection of Cars, Prince’s Palace of Monaco, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo Rally, St. Paul’s Church, International University of Monaco and the Trophee des Alpes. The city of Monaco is also home to a number of fine restaurants and hotels. Popular restaurants in the city include L’Argentin, Cafe de Paris, Les Grandes Ondes, Restaurant Joel Robuchon Monte-Carlo, Louis XV, Le Grill and Zebra Square. Popular hotels in the city include Fairmont Monte Carlo, Le Metropole Palace, Hotel Hermitage, Hotel Columbus, Novotel Monte Carlo, Hotel Port Palace, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Le Meridien Beach Plaza, The Ambassador and the Paris Hotel. The city is also home to a large assortment of nightclubs and casinos. These casinos feature all the popular games such as roulette, baccarat, black jack, craps and even slot machines. An interesting note about the casinos is that only tourist are allowed to game at them. Residents of Monaco are forbidden from frequenting the casinos.
