Brief information
The Grimaldi family has ruled the Principality of Monaco since 1297. During this time, Monaco experienced many historical events, eventually becoming one of the most popular tourist centers in Europe. Hundreds of millions of euros are invested in the local tourism industry every year, and this brings noticeable results. Now Monaco is famous for its casinos in Monte Carlo, the holding of the Forum 1 races, as well as its beaches.
Geography of Monaco
The Principality of Monaco is located in Western Europe on the Mediterranean coast. On three sides, Monaco borders on France (13 km to Nice). The territory of this country is only 2.02 square meters. km. Land border – 4.4 km. The authorities of Monaco plan to slightly expand their territory in the future by draining sections of the Mediterranean Sea.
Capital
According to itypejob.com, the capital of the Principality of Monaco is the city of Monaco, which is now home to more than 1.3 thousand people. The city of Monaco was founded in 1215 by Italians from the Republic of Genoa.
Official language
The official language in Monaco is French. Traditional Monegasque (a dialect of Ligurian spoken in Genoa) is now spoken by a minority of Monegasques. The Italian language is also widely spoken in this Principality.
Religion
More than 83% of the population of Monaco are Catholics belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.
State structure of Monaco
Since 1911, the Principality of Monaco has been a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the Prince of Monaco.
According to cancermatters.net, legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament – the National Council, consisting of 24 deputies elected for 5 years.
Under the Constitution of 1911, the Principality of Monaco was divided into three municipalities:
- Monaco-Ville – the old city;
- Monte-Carlo to the east and northeast;
- Condamine in the southwest, including Port Hercules.
Now the Principality already has 5 municipalities (for example, the Fontvieille region is an area drained by the Mediterranean Sea).
Climate and weather
The climate in Monaco is Mediterranean with elements of an oceanic and subtropical climate. Summers are warm and dry, while winters are mild and rainy. The average annual air temperature in Monaco is +16.4C.
Sea in Monaco
The coastline in Monaco is 4.1 km. Due to the rapidly growing population, the authorities of Monaco are draining part of the Mediterranean Sea, then building houses and resorts in these places.
Average Mediterranean temperature near Monte Carlo:
- January – +13С
- February – +13С
- March – +13С
- April – +14С
- May – +17С
- June – +20С
- July – +23С
- August – +23C
- september – +22С
- October – +20С
- November – +17С
- December – +15С
Story
The first settlements on the territory of the modern Principality of Monaco were founded by the Phoenicians around the 10th century BC. The name “Monaco” comes from the ancient Greek word “monoikos” (people living separately from their fellow tribesmen).
According to ancient Greek myth, the legendary Hercules (Hercules) once visited the territory of modern Monaco. That is why the temple of Hercules Monoikos was formed there, around which several settlements were formed. The city of Monaco itself was founded in 1215 by immigrants from the Republic of Genoa.
Since 1297, Monaco has been under the control of the Grimaldi family (the current Prince of Monaco is also from this family).
In the 17th century, the princes of Monaco fall under French influence – they live in Paris, and not in their ancestral patrimony.
In 1797, the troops of revolutionary France captured Monaco, and the Grimaldi family temporarily lost power over this principality. However, in 1814, after the defeat of the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, Grimaldi regain control of Monaco, but are under the protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
In 1860, Monaco again fell under the protectorate of France. In the mid-1860s, the first casino appeared in Monaco.
In 1911, the first Constitution was adopted in Monaco, which somewhat limited the power of the Grimaldi princes. In 1918, the Monaco-French Treaty was concluded, according to which the interests of the Principality of Monaco in the international arena are represented by France.
In 1962, the Constitution of Monaco was amended to give women the right to vote.
In 1993, the Principality of Monaco was admitted to the UN. In 2002, a new treaty was concluded between France and Monaco. According to this treaty, if the Grimaldi dynasty had no heirs, the Principality would still remain an independent state.
Culture
In the Principality of Monaco, religious and cultural traditions have been successfully maintained for many centuries, which are often already intertwined.
Every year the inhabitants of Monaco celebrate the feast of Saint Devota, who is considered the patroness of this Principality. Every year on January 27, street festivities, religious ceremonies and torchlight processions take place throughout the Principality. In the evening, a grandiose fireworks flashes in the sky over the harbor of Monaco.
On June 23-24 Monaco celebrates Saint Jean’s Day. On this day, many young people dressed in the national costumes of the Monegasques take to the streets. In Monte Carlo, on June 24, festivities are held in the open air until late in the evening.
Monaco hosts numerous carnivals every year. The tradition of carnivals in the Principality began in the 15th century.
Cuisine of Monaco
The cuisine of Monaco has been shaped by Italian and French influences. This alone guarantees that the food in Monaco is delicious. Tourists in Monaco, we advise you to definitely try:
- “Barbagiuan” – pies with rice, pumpkin, spinach and cheese;
- “Fougasse” – bread cake with cheese and onions;
- “Stocafi” – dried cod in a thick tomato sauce;
- “Socca” – pancakes made from pea flour with chicken.
Sights of Monaco
Tourists come to Monaco in order to relax in the beautiful local resorts. However, sunbathing on the beach is also sometimes annoying, and therefore we recommend that tourists in Monaco see the following attractions:
- Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Monaco
- Palace of the Prince of Monaco
- Oceanographic Museum in Monaco
- Fort Antoine on the rock of La Rocher
- Grotto of the Observatory
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Monaco are Monaco-Ville (the city of Monaco proper), Monte Carlo, La Condamine and Fontvieille. True, they are “large” only by local standards. Thus, more than 1.3 thousand people now live in the city of Monaco.
Monaco is a wonderful, though expensive, place for a beach holiday. Monaco’s main beach is Larvotto in Monte Carlo.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists from Monaco are advised to bring miniatures of local historical and architectural monuments. In Monaco, there are boutiques of the most famous designers, so if you have money, tourists can visit there too.
Office Hours
Banks are open:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-16:00 (17:00)
Some of the banks are open on Saturday mornings.
Shops open:
Mon-Sat: 09:00-19:00
Visa
Ukrainians need to obtain a visa to enter Monaco.
Monaco currency
On the territory of the Principality of Monaco, the euro is used as currency. Credit cards are widely accepted (even some taxis accept them).
Customs restrictions
The import and export of currency in Monaco is not limited, but if you want to import or export more than 10 thousand euros, the money must be entered in the declaration. Customs regulations in the Principality are the same as in other Western European countries.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
The interests of the Principality of Monaco in Ukraine are represented by the French Embassy in Ukraine:
Index – 01034, Kiev, st. Reitarskaya, 39
Т: (044) 590-36-00
F: (044) 590-36-24
Email. address: [email protected]
The interests of Ukraine in Monaco are represented by the Embassy of Ukraine in France:
France, Paris 75007, avenue de Saxe, 21 T: ( 10-331
) 43 06 07 37
F: (10-331) 43 06 02 94
address: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
17 – Police
18 – Fire and ambulance services
112 – All emergencies
Time in Monaco
The difference with time in Kyiv is -1 hour. Those. if in Monaco, for example, in the summer it is 09:00 am, then in Kyiv it is 10:00 am.
Tips
In hotels and restaurants in Monaco, tips are already included in the bill. However, customers can tip 10-15% for excellent service. In hotels, porters and porters usually expect 1-2 euros for “tea”.
The medicine
No special vaccinations are required to enter Monaco, but medical insurance for 30,000 euros is required.
Security
Violent crime in Monaco is a very rare occurrence. Tourists should be wary of pickpocketing, especially where there are a lot of people (at stations, on trains, in hotels, on beaches, in museums).
