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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.
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.
Politics
Monaco has been governed as a constitutional monarchy since 1911, with the
Prince as head of state. The executive branch consists of a Minister of
State (the head of government), who presides over a four-member Council of
Government (the cabinet). The Minister of State is a French citizen
appointed by the Prince for a 3-year term from among candidates proposed by
the French Government. Under the 1962 constitution, the Prince shares his
power with the unicameral National Council. The 18 members of this
legislative body are elected from lists by universal suffrage for 5-year
terms.
The principality's local affairs are directed by the Communal Council, which
consists of 15 elected members and is presided over by the Mayor.
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).
Economy
One of Monaco's main sources of income is tourism; each year many are
attracted to its casino and pleasant climate. In 2001, a major new
construction project extended the pier used by cruise ships in the main
harbour. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services
and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries.
The state has no income tax for individuals. The state retains monopolies in
a number of sectors, including tobacco and the postal service. (The
telephone network used to be owned by the state. Now Monaco Telecom is owned
by Cable and Wireless.) Living standards are high, roughly comparable to
those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.
The lack of personal income tax has led to a considerable number of wealthy
"tax exile" residents from European countries, who earn the majority of
their income from activity outside Monaco; celebrities like Formula One
drivers attract most of the attention but the majority of them are
businesspeople.
In 2000 a report by French parliamentarians Arnaud Montebourg and Vincent
Peillon alleged that Monaco has lax policies with respect to money
laundering, including within its famed casino, and that the government of
Monaco puts political pressure on the judiciary so that alleged crimes are
not properly investigated. The government of Monaco ordered reports to OECD
and GAFI that proved most of these allegations to be untrue.
Monaco is not a member of the European Union, but it is very closely linked
to it via a customs union with France and as such its currency is the same
as France's: the euro. Monaco has acquired the right to mint euro coins with
Monegasque designs on their national side.
Demographics
Although Macau is more densely populated, by virtue of the fact that Macau
is now part of China, Monaco is now the most densely populated country in
the world. Monaco is also the second smallest country in the world, beaten
only by Vatican City. See List of countries by population density.
Monaco's population is unusual in that the native Monegasques are a minority
in their own country. The largest proportion of residents are French
nationals (47%), while Monegasque and Italian nationals represent 16% each,
and the remaining 21% belong to one of the other 125 nationalities that make
up Monaco's international population.
French is the only official language, but English, Italian, and the local
Monegasque dialect (an descendant of Genoese) are also spoken. The literacy
rate is 99%. Roman Catholicism is the official religion, with freedom of
other religions guaranteed by the constitution.
Transportation in Monaco
Railways:
total: 1.7 km
standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:
total: 50 km
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors:
2: Hercule (old)
and Fontvieille (new)
Merchant marine:
none (1999 est.)
Airports:
linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
Heliports:
1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice, France, and
Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille)
AS Monaco FC
The Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club is a Monegasc football
club, founded in 1924. They became a professional club after 1948. Although
the club is in Monaco, it has always competed in the French football
structure. For this reason, it has always been regarded with a certain
suspicion by a segment of the French population. Some, like current
Olympique Marseille president, have hinted that Monaco should not be allowed
to use its income-tax exemption as it gives it an unfair advantage. This
would roughly equal to adding 1/3 extra to A.S. Monaco's budget.
AS Monaco is also recurrently derided for its relatively low number of
spectators (10,394 average for the season 2003/2004). However, taking into
account the city's population of 30,000 and that it competes with Nice's
team (300,000 inhabitants) OGC Nice 10 km nearby, Monaco as a city has one
of the highest spectators/inhabitants in France.
AS Monaco's home ground is Stade Louis II, an all-seater with a capacity of
18,500 in the Fontvieille section of Monaco. The stadium, as well as the
Fontvieille district, was built entirely on land reclaimed from the
Mediterranean Sea.
Monaco were the beaten finalists of the UEFA Champions League in 2004.
List of Monegasque people
Famous people from Monaco:
Olivier Beretta – Formula One Driver
Louis Chiron – Racing Driver
Léo Ferré – Singer
Grace Kelly – Actress (born American)
Franz Schreker – Composer.
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