Monaco

Capital of Monaco: Monaco
Population of Monaco: 30,539
Total area of Monaco: 2 km2

Monaco is also called the Principality of Monaco and is located on the Mediterranean in Southwestern Europe. Its flag is simple and consists of a red horizontal stripe over a white horizontal stripe. Its coat of arms is ornate and consists of two monks holding a red and white diamond-patterned banner and two swords. There is a drapery and a crown atop the entire coat of arms. It has the logo “Deo Juvante” at the bottom, which means “With God’s Help”.

Monaco population

Native Monegasques are a minority population in Monaco. Most of the people are French nationals at 28 percent, followed by native Monegasques at 22 percent. Italians and Anglos live there a well. The nation calls a Monacoian any person who lives in Monaco but is not of Monaco nationality. The official language of the country is French but English is spoken frequently. Only a few people speak the national language, called Monegasque. Italian is also often spoken. Roman Catholicism is the official religion of the country but the country enjoys freedom of religion. It has a patron saint known as Saint Devota. It also has a single Anglican church. There is one Jewish School in Monte Carlo, the capital city of Monaco. Most are from North Africa but some are considered Ashkenazi Jews.  

History of Monaco

Monaco is a monarchy and its name comes from a nearby Phoenician Greek Colony called Monoikos. It was founded in 1215 by Emperor Henry VI. It was purchased by the Grimaldis in 1419, who then ruled Monaco. It was captured in 1793 by the French and was under French rule until 1814 when it was returned to the Bourbons to rule. It became under the Kingdom of Sardinia before going back to the French in the 1800s. A constitution was created in 1911 but was soon suspended. It was under Italian rule in WWII. After the war, it became a monarchy again, ruled by Prince Rainier III. He died in 2005 and the new Prince of Monaco is Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Monaco Tourism

The word glitz can be aptly used to describe Monaco but its attraction is more than just opulence and glamour. However, the huge appeal of big events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Monte Carlo Rally and the Tennis Masters Series as well as the sight of celebrities and Monte Carlo harbor’s luxurious yachts cannot be denied. On top of these, Monaco is home of the famous Monte Carlo Casino and other several other casinos which are enjoyed only by tourists and prohibited to citizens. What makes this sovereign city state on the French Riviera naturally alluring are its temperate climate and seaside location. It offers the simple pleasures of al fresco cafés, scenic walking routes and beautiful pretty costal bays amidst tactful banking facilities, police-secured streets and classiest designer and jeweler shops. Not to be missed is the Princess Grace Rose Garden inaugurated in 1984 in memory of Princess Grace. It has 4000 rose varieties, including 50 varieties from the best rose specialists in the world.

French (the official language), English, and Italian are spoken in Monaco. Major influences on the life and culture of the Monaco people are the French and the Italian way of life and the Catholic Church (90 percent of the total population is Catholic).  Native Monegasques are a minority in their own country, outnumbered by French nationals. Sea food is an important diet for country’s inhabitants in addition to  French wines and food. When in Monaco, casual wear is ideal at daytime and formal attire is ideal for venues like clubs, dining rooms, and the casino's private rooms.