Official Name: Principality of Monaco
Established: 1861 (Franco-Monegasque Treaty)
Population: 38,300 (2019 estimate)
Religion: Catholic
Language: French
Capital: Monaco (largest quarter Monte Carlo)
Order of Visit: Nineteenth
First Visit: 26 June 2006
Last Visit: 26 June 2006
Duration: 1 Day
Visit Highlights: Expensive yachts and cars
Places Visited: Monaco
Monaco Journal Entries
History and Geography
Monaco covers an area of 2.1 square km the second-smallest in the world after the Vatican City, Monaco is surrounded by France and is located only 15 km from Italy.
The principality is governed under a limited form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state who welds considerable power.The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297.
Monaco was officially recognised by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993.
Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with the opening of the country’s first casino, Monte Carlo, and a railway connection to Paris. The casino is a major money earner and is designed for those with considerable money.
Monaco has no income tax, low business taxes, and is well known for being a tax haven. Over 30% of the resident population are millionaires.
Monaco is not formally a part of the European Union (EU) but participates and uses the Euro though it’s arrangements with France. The principality has a club football team, AS Monaco, who compete in the French Ligue 1 and have become French champions on multiple occasions highlighting the strong French connections.
The principality from 1642 was a protectorate of France until the French Revolution. In 1793, Revolutionary forces captured Monaco and it remained under direct French control until 1814, when the Grimaldi family returned to the throne.
In 1869, the principality stopped collecting income tax from its residents, this was possible the extraordinary success of the casino.
Until the Monegasque Revolution of 1910 forced the adoption of the 1911 constitution, the princes of Monaco were absolute rulers. The new constitution, however, barely reduced the autocratic rule of the Grimaldi family and Prince Albert I soon suspended it during the First World War.
The wider defence of the nation is provided by France. Monaco has no navy or air force, but on a per-capita and basis, Monaco has one of the largest police forces (515 police officers for about 36,000 people) and police presences in the world. Its police includes a special unit which operates patrol and surveillance the wealthy boats that dock in Monaco.
Monte-Carlo Opera House (Taken 26 June 2006)
Expensive yachts in Monaco (Taken 26 June 2006)
What I experienced
I only visited Monaco on a day visit and what I witness for a place for the extremely wealth, mega yachts and very beautiful people mixed with a very noticeable police presence. I couldn’t visit the famous Monaco casino as being a backpacker I did have either the right clothes or enough money to even get though the front door.
Nathan's Insights 