History UsefulNotes / Monaco

Monaco's history is very much a case of RealityIsUnrealistic. The site of a temple to [[Characters/ClassicalMythologyOlympians Hercules]] in ancient times, the area became a colony of Genoa at the end of the 12th century. In 1297, Francesco Grimaldi (''il Malizia'', [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/TheAdjectiveOne "the malicious one"]]) arrived from Genoa [[BadHabits dressed like a monk]], with a group of men also wearing monk outfits. Welcomed to the local fortress as guests, Grimaldi and his "monks" instead seized the fortress. He was kicked out a few years later, leading to an almost century-long struggle between the Grimaldi family and the Genoese, which played out among larger battles between Genoa and other Mediterranean alliances. Finally the Grimaldis purchased the land in 1419 and set up the current state, though the next few centuries saw Monaco bounce between independence and being a protectorate of its neighbors.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European [[LandOfOneCity city-state]] located in southeastern UsefulNotes/{{France}} (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the [[UsefulNotes/TheSevenSeas Mediterranean Sea]] to the south. UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than UsefulNotes/VaticanCity.

Monaco uses the euro as its currency. What, you thought it had a choice?

Monaco is particularly well known for its role in the UsefulNotes/FormulaOne Grand Prix series, with the Monaco Grand Prix actually occurring on the streets of the city. Despite the rich history of the race, the prestige of having the trophy presented by the Prince himself, and the challenge it presents for drivers as they let loose on a tight, twisting, intimate track, the race also has its fair share of negatives. The ''extremely'' narrow track makes any true overtaking quite difficult (meaning most of the time, the driver in pole position is essentially doing time trials by Lap 30), the crowd and buildings' proximity to the track can make even so much a 'scrape' to a car throw Engineers into panic mode, and the addition of several newer street circuits to the calendar such as Baku and Singapore--with layouts that are more suitable to modern F1 cars--have somewhat diluted Monaco's appeal. Nonetheless, the Grand Prix continues to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the principality each year.

Per an agreement with France, Monaco cannot extend its borders into French territory in order to expand, but as compensation, their defense is fully provided by the French Armed Forces if war ever comes to the Principality. In terms of expansion, this has been achieved over the years by creating new, artificial areas through land reclamation out into the sea, and the tiny nation has grown in size by approximately one third in the last hundred years by doing so. The entire district of Fontvieille was constructed on land reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s, for example.

Monaco's history is very much a case of RealityIsUnrealistic. The site of a temple to Hercules in ancient times, the area became a colony of Genoa at the end of the 12th century. In 1297, Francesco Grimaldi (''il Malizia'', [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/TheAdjectiveOne "the malicious one"]]) arrived from Genoa [[BadHabits dressed like a monk]], with a group of men also wearing monk outfits. Welcomed to the local fortress as guests, Grimaldi and his "monks" instead seized the fortress. He was kicked out a few years later, leading to an almost century-long struggle between the Grimaldi family and the Genoese, which played out among larger battles between Genoa and other Mediterranean alliances. Finally the Grimaldis purchased the land in 1419 and set up the current state, though the next few centuries saw Monaco bounce between independence and being a protectorate of its neighbors.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European [[LandOfOneCity city-state]] located in southeastern UsefulNotes/{{France}} (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the [[UsefulNotes/TheSevenSeas Mediterranean Sea]] to the south. UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than the Vatican.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European [[LandOfOneCity city-state]] located in southeastern UsefulNotes/{{France}} (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the [[UsefulNotes/TheSevenSeas Mediterranean Sea]] to the south. UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in New York, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than the Vatican.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European [[LandOfOneCity city-state]] located in southeastern UsefulNotes/{{France}} (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the south. UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in New York, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than the Vatican.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European [[LandOfOneCity city-state]] located in southeastern UsefulNotes/{{France}} (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Italy isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in New York, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than the Vatican.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European [[LandOfOneCity city-state]] located in southeastern France (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Italy isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in New York, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than the Vatican.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Principality of Monaco''' ('''French:''' ''Principauté de Monaco''; '''Monégasque:''' ''Principatu de Múnegu''; '''Italian:''' ''Principato di Monaco''; '''Occitan:''' ''Principat de Mónegue''), is a 500-acre Western European city-state located in southeastern France (which borders it in three sides) and bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Italy isn't far away (and in fact Monaco bordered Italy until the 1848 secession mentioned below). Slightly smaller than Central Park in New York, it's [[MicroMonarchy the smallest independent nation on Earth]], other than the Vatican.

** In the ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' series, there is Blair Dame, another extremely wealthy socialite who debuted in the EX games and like Lili, she shares an unusual passion for combat.
* ''Videogame/TheKingOfFighters'' 1997 iteration features a stage set on the famous Fairmont hairpin in Monaco during the grand prix, complete with stands of cheering crowds, the elaborately-carved steps up to the casino district, and a yacht-filled ''Port Hercule'' in the background.

** In the ''StreetFighter'' series, there is Blair Dame, another extremely wealthy socialite who debuted in the EX games and like Lili, she shares an unusual passion for combat.

Monaco is particularly well known for its role in the UsefulNotes/FormulaOne Grand Prix series, with the Monaco Grand Prix actually occurring on the streets of the city. Despite the rich history of the race, the prestige of having the trophy presented by the Prince himself, and the challenge it presents for drivers as they let loose on a tight, twisting, intimate track, the race also has its fair share of negatives. The 'extremely' narrow track makes any true overtaking extremely difficult (meaning most of the time, the person in pole position is essentially doing time trials by Lap 30), the crowd and buildings' proximity to the track can make even so much a 'scrape' to a car throw Engineers into panic mode, and with the addition of several new street circuits in the US, Asia, and Europe itself have made both Monaco lose its distinction and Formula One contemplate keeping it on the calendar.

* Creator/GraceKelly, ''very'' famous Hollywood star, who married Rainier III and became his consort. She met Rainier right after ''Film/ToCatchAThief'' was filmed there.

* ''Film/{{GoldenEye}}'': Bond has a night at Monte Carlo where he first meets [[DarkActionGirl Xenia Onatopp]].

* '''Highest point:''' Chemin des Révoires (161 m/528 ft) (202nd)

* '''Highest point:''' Chemin des Révoires (161 m/528 ft) (187th)

* '''Country calling code:''' 377

[[AC:The Monegasque flag]]

* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' MC

Monaco is particularly well known for its role in the UsefulNotes/FormulaOne Grand Prix series, with the Monaco Grand Prix actually occurring on the streets of the city. Despite the rich history of the race, the prestige of having the trophy presented by the Prince himself, and the challenge it presents for drivers as they let loose on a tight, twisting, intimate track, the race also has its fair share of negatives. The 'extremely' narrow track makes any true overtaking extremely difficult (meaning most of the time, the person in pole position is essentially doing time trials by Lap 30), the crowd and buildings' proximity to the track can make even so much a 'scrape' to a car can throw Engineers into panic mode, and with the addition of several new street circuits in the US, Asia, and Europe itself have made both Monaco lose its distinction and Formula One contemplate keeping it on the calendar.

->Red and white are the heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi, Monaco's royal family. It is pretty similar to that of UsefulNotes/{{Indonesia}}, except shorter.

!!Famous Monegasque people: