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 Odeon Tower (French: Tour Odéon) is a double-skyscraper in the Principality of Monaco. It was the first high-rise in the city-state to be built since the 1980s (high constructions had been abandoned due to aesthetic concerns and criticism of overdevelopment). At 170 metres high, Tour Odeon on its completion was the second tallest building on Europe's Mediterranean coast, after Gran Hotel Bali (186m) in Benidorm, Spain. Had Tour Odeon been built in neighboring France, it would have been among that country's 10 highest buildings.

This project from Groupe Marzocco was considered by some to be an important renewal of economic development for the second-smallest country in the world. Its construction was launched in the middle of the economic crisis, in 2009. The building was inaugurated in April 2015. (Full article...)

List of articles
Casino Gardens and Terraces 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 St Martin Gardens Zoological Garden of Monaco

Selected pictures

Image 1Rainier I, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 2Monaco's flag and its coat of arms (from Monaco)
Image 3Jacques I, Prince of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 4The Monaco harbour during the days of the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 5Monaco (as part of the Republic of Genoa) in 1494 (from Monaco)
Image 6In 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 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 9Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 10Sainte-Dévote Chapel (from Monaco)
Image 11Monte Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 12Monaco-Ville (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 13Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Monaco)
Image 14The marriage of actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III brought media attention to the principality. (from Monaco)
Image 15
Land reclamation in Monaco since 1861
(from Monaco)
Image 16Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 17Photochrom of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 18Public art in Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 19Satellite view of Monaco, with the France–Monaco border shown in yellow (from Monaco)
Image 20Charles Leclerc (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 21
Panoramic view of La Condamine and Monte Carlo
(from Monaco)
Image 22Port Hercules (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 23Fontvieille (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 24A 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 25The Rock of Monaco in 1890 (from Monaco)
Image 26Monte Carlo Casino (from Monaco)
Image 27The location of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 281978 Monégasque franc coin with an effigy of Rainier III (from Monaco)
Image 29Hôtel de Paris (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 30Monte Carlo Casino (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 31Satellite view with border (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 32Prince Albert I of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 33La Condamine (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 34Wards of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 35Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco FC (from Monaco)
Image 36View of Monaco in 2016 (from Monaco)
Image 37Fontvieille and its new harbour (from Monaco)
Image 38Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (from Monaco)
Image 39Prince's Palace of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 40Benjamin Balleret (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 41Albert II, Prince of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 42Logo of the princely government of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 43
Panoramic view of Monaco from the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) high rock promontory
(from Monaco)
Image 44Enlargeable, detailed map of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 45Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 46Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 47Formation lap for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (from Monaco)
Image 48Oceanographic Museum (from Monaco)
Image 49
Panoramic view of Monaco City and the port of Fontvieille
(from Monaco)
Image 50A view of the 2011 Monaco Porsche Supercup. Motor racing is very popular, with one course encompassing almost the whole country. (from Monaco)
Image 51Palace guards in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 52View of the Rock of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)

Selected ward

Coastline

Larvotto (French: Le Larvotto [lə laʁvɔto]; Monégasque: Larvotu [laɾˈvɔtu]), also known as Larvotto/Bas Moulins, is the easternmost ward in the Principality of Monaco. It is part of the quarter of Monte Carlo. It has an estimated surface area of 21.8 hectares (54 acres) and access to the Mediterranean Sea. In 2008, it had a population of 5,443, making it the most populated ward in Monaco. (Full article...)

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

Selected environment article

View of Monaco with Mont Agel in the background

Mont Agel is a mountain in the Maritime Alps on the border between France and Monaco. The summit of this mount, at 1,148 metres (3,766 ft) above sea level, is on the French side, but the highest point of Monaco, lying on a pathway named Chemin des Révoires, is on its slopes, at an altitude of 161 metres (528 feet). (Full article...)

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

Selected arts article

The Eurovision Song Contest 1960 was the fifth edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest, held on Tuesday 29 March 1960 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, United Kingdom, and hosted by British television presenter and actress Catherine Boyle. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the United Kingdom was offered the rights to stage the contest after the Netherlands, which had won the 1959 contest, declined the opportunity after having organised the event in 1958.

Luxembourg returned to the competition after an absence of one year, and Norway made its first contest appearance, bringing the total number of participating countries to thirteen. (Full article...)

Selected religion article

The Catholic Church in Monaco is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.

The country forms a single archdiocese: the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monaco, which is part of the Catholic Church in France since the beginning of its history. Per the Constitution of Monaco (Art. 9) Catholicism is the official church of Monaco, and is the majority religion; religious freedom is also guaranteed by the constitution. In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom. (Full article...)

Selected sports article

Hugo Benjamín "Negro" Ibarra (born 1 April 1974), is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a right back. He last managed Boca Juniors.

With 324 matches played, 10 goals scored and 15 titles won with Boca Juniors, Ibarra is considered the best right back in the history of the club. (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...)