Portal:Monaco

Portal topics: Activities; Culture; Geography; Health; History; Mathematics; Nature; People; Philosophy; Religion; Society; Technology; Random portal

The Monaco Portal
Welcome! — Bienvenue! — Benvegnüu!

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...)

Refresh with new selections below (purge)

Selected location article

The Jardin Animalier de Monaco is a zoo located on the Esplanade Rainer III, in Monaco's Fontvieille ward, on the southern side of the Rock of Monaco. It was established by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in 1954. 250 animals are held in the zoo, representing some 50 species.

The zoo is a hectare in size, set over four levels on the rock. None of the animals were purchased; all have come from donations, circuses, or abandoned animals and those seized by circuses. Five animals came to the zoo after the 2009 closure of the zoo at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. (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 Odeon Tower St Martin Gardens

Selected pictures

Image 1Logo of the princely government of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 2Embassy of Monaco, Paris, France (from Monaco)
Image 3Satellite view of Monaco, with the France–Monaco border shown in yellow (from Monaco)
Image 4Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 5
Land reclamation in Monaco since 1861
(from Monaco)
Image 6Palace guards in Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 7
Panoramic view of La Condamine and Monte Carlo
(from Monaco)
Image 8In 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 9Monte Carlo Casino (from Monaco)
Image 10Lycée Albert Premier of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 11Monte Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 12Monaco-Ville (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 13The Rock of Monaco in 1890 (from Monaco)
Image 14Prince Albert I of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 15Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 16Seaside façade of the Salle Garnier, home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo (from Monaco)
Image 17Public art in Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 18Satellite view with border (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 19Wards of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 20Fontvieille (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 21The Mayor of Monaco announcing concessions, ending the absolute monarchy of Prince Albert I in 1910 (from Monaco)
Image 22Albert II, Prince of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 23Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 24Enlargeable, detailed map of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 25View of the Rock of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 26Formation lap for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (from Monaco)
Image 27Sainte-Dévote Chapel (from Monaco)
Image 28The marriage of actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III brought media attention to the principality. (from Monaco)
Image 29La Condamine (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 30Monaco (as part of the Republic of Genoa) in 1494 (from Monaco)
Image 31A view of the 2011 Monaco Porsche Supercup. Motor racing is very popular, with one course encompassing almost the whole country. (from Monaco)
Image 32Charles Leclerc (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 33
Panoramic view of Monaco City and the port of Fontvieille
(from Monaco)
Image 34Port Hercules (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 35View of Monaco in 2016 (from Monaco)
Image 36Prince's Palace of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 37Oceanographic Museum (from Monaco)
Image 38The location of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 39Benjamin Balleret (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 40Rainier I, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 41
Panoramic view of Monaco from the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) high rock promontory
(from Monaco)
Image 42Fontvieille and its new harbour (from Monaco)
Image 43A 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 44The Monaco harbour during the days of the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 45Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (from Monaco)
Image 46Photochrom of Monaco (from Monaco)
Image 47Monaco's flag and its coat of arms (from Monaco)
Image 48Monte Carlo Casino (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 49Hôtel de Paris (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 501978 Monégasque franc coin with an effigy of Rainier III (from Monaco)
Image 51Jacques I, Prince of Monaco (from Outline of Monaco)
Image 52Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco FC (from Monaco)

Selected ward

Lamarck Square, Les Moneghetti; this square contains, a garden, a post office, and a police station; the parish church (Sacred Heart) is 46 metres (50 yd) away.

Les Moneghetti (Monégasque: Muneghëti [muneˈɡeti]) is the north-central ward in the Principality of Monaco, bordering neighboring France. Moneghetti was incorporated in La Condamine. (Full article...)

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

Selected environment article

The Rock of Monaco (French: Rocher de Monaco; Monégasque: Roca de Mùnegu) is a 62-metre (203 ft) tall monolith on the Mediterranean coast of the Principality of Monaco. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the Port Hercules. (Full article...)

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

Selected arts article

The Eurovision Song Contest 1959 was the fourth edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest, held on Wednesday 11 March 1959 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France, and hosted by French television presenter Jacqueline Joubert. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF), the contest, originally known as the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson Européenne 1959 (English: Grand Prix of the Eurovision Song Contest 1959), was held in France following the country's victory at the 1958 contest with the song "Dors, mon amour", performed by André Claveau.

In total eleven countries participated in the contest, with Monaco making its first appearance and the United Kingdom returning after their absence the previous year. Luxembourg, however, decided not to participate after competing in all former editions. (Full article...)

Selected religion article

The history of the Jews in Monaco goes back at least a century, most notably to the time of the Holocaust. Monaco had a very small Jewish presence before World War II, numbering approximately 300 people. During the war, the principality's government issued false identity papers to its Jewish residents to protect them from Nazi deportation. Prince Louis II refused to dismiss Jewish civil servants and protected Édouard de Rothschild from deportation. However, Monaco's police arrested and turned over 42 Central European Jewish refugees to the Nazis. Sixty Jews were arrested 27–28 August 1942, and ninety in total, according to The Algemeiner.

In 1948, the Association Cultuelle Israelite de Monaco was founded as the official organization of Monaco's Jewish community, and it provides the community with a synagogue, Hebrew school and kosher food store. Today's Jewish community in Monaco consists primarily of retirees from France and the United Kingdom, and there is also a small population of North African and Turkish Jews. (Full article...)

Selected sports article

Circuit de Monaco

The 2011 Monaco Grand Prix, formally the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2011, was held on 29 May 2011 at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Sixth round of the 2011 Formula One season, the 78 lap race was won by the championship leader, Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel who started from pole position. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was second and McLaren's Jenson Button third.

Winner Vettel extended his lead in the World Drivers' Championship to 58 points over Lewis Hamilton who was sixth. Mark Webber finished fourth and maintained third place in the championship, six points behind Hamilton in third and three ahead of Button. In the World Constructors' Championship, Red Bull extended its lead over McLaren to 61 points, with Ferrari being a further 68 points behind. (Full article...)

Selected education article

The American College of Monaco was a tertiary institution located in Monte Carlo, Monaco, that operated from 1968 until 1970. The college offered a four-year degree program and was reportedly established by the Principality at the request of Princess Grace.

The college held classes in the Hotel Hermitage behind the Hotel de Paris, and the famous Monte Carlo Casino during its first academic year. After that, the school relocated to the Hotel Splendid, on the border of Beausoleil. Prince Rainier III was the Chancellor of the School, and the famous oceanographer, Jacques Yves Cousteau, was a member of its Board of Academic Overseers. (Full article...)

Selected transportation 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...)