History UsefulNotes / Monaco

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.

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 prevents any true overtaking (meaning most of the time, the person in pole position is essentially doing time trials by Lap 30), the crowd and building's proximity to the track can make even so much a 'scrape' to a car can throw Crew Chief's into panic, 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.

Monaco, officially known as the Prinicipality 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 ''Manga/AxisPowersHetalia'', Monaco's MoeAnthropomorphism is an elegant young woman with glasses and dark blond hair.

Monaco, officially known as the '''Prinicipality 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.

Monaco, officially known as the Prinicipality 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 ''Film/IronMan2'', Tony Stark/Iron Man competes in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix car race, and gets attacked by Ivan Vanko/Whiplash there amidst the race.

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

* Creator/GraceKelly, ''very'' famous Hollywood star, who married Rainier III and became his consort.

'''Famous Monegasque people'''

* The whole [[UsefulNotes/{{TheMonegasqueRoyalFamily}} Grimaldi family]], too.

----
'''In fiction:'''

Monaco, officially known as the Prinicipality 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 the smallest independent nation on Earth, other than the Vatican.

* ''Film/{{GoldenEye}}''

In 1848, two towns (Menton and Roquebrune), angry over the tax money they had to pay the Grimaldis, seceded from Monaco and eventually became part of France. Faced with a loss of revenue (as well as almost 95% of the Principality’s territory), Princess Caroline (a French actress who married into the Grimaldi family) came up with an idea: legalize gambling and build a casino. Opening in 1856, the casino was such a success that by 1861 Monaco was able to negotiate a treaty with France that finally gave it full sovereignty. After the casino permanently relocated to the area of Monte Carlo, Monaco made so much money from it that income taxes were abolished in 1869.

Monaco is a constitutional monarchy. The current Sovereign Prince, Albert II, still has veto power, preventing it from being considered a full democracy. Albert took over upon Rainier's death in 2005. He has been married to South African Charlene Wittstock since June 2011, and has twin children by her (born December 10, 2014)—Princess Gabriella, older by two minutes, and Hereditary Prince Jacques, now his heir apparent. Albert already had two illegitimate children: Jasmine Grace (mother: actress Tamara Rotolo) and Alexandre Coste (mother: Nicole Coste). He has two sisters: [[TheDutifulSon Princess Caroline]], heir presumptive to the Monegasque throne until being superseded by the births of Albert and Charlene's twins, and [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Stéphanie.]] [[UsefulNotes/{{TheMonegasqueRoyalFamily}} Read all about the Princely Family of Monaco here.]]

Monaco is a constitutional monarchy. The current Sovereign Prince, Albert II, still has veto power, preventing it from being considered a full democracy. Albert took over upon Rainier's death in 2005. He has been married to South African Charlene Wittstock since June 2011, and has twin children by her (born December 10, 2014)—Princess Gabriella, older by two minutes, and Hereditary Prince Jacques, now his heir apparent. Albert already had two illegitimate children: Jasmine Grace (mother: actress Tamara Rotolo) and Alexandre Coste (mother: Nicole Coste). He has two sisters: [[TheDutifulSon Princess Caroline]], heir presumptive to the Monegasque throne until being superseded by the births of Albert and Charlene's twins, and [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Stéphanie.]]

* The whole Grimaldi family, too.

Monaco, officially known as the Prinicipality 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). Other than The Vatican, it is the smallest independent nation on Earth.

In 1848, two towns (Menton and Roquebrune), angry over the tax money they had to pay the Grimaldis, seceded from Monaco and eventually became part of France. Faced with a loss of revenue (as well as almost 95% of the Principality’s land area), Princess Caroline (a French actress who married into the Grimaldi family) came up with an idea: legalize gambling and build a casino. Opening in 1856, the casino was such a success that by 1861 Monaco was able to negotiate a treaty with France that finally gave it full sovereignty. After the casino permanently relocated to the area of Monte Carlo, Monaco made so much money from it that income taxes were abolished in 1869.

In 1848, two towns (Menton and Roquebrune), angry over the tax money they had to pay the Grimaldis, seceded from Monaco and eventually became part of France. Facing a loss of revenue (as well as almost 95% of the Principality’s land area) Princess Caroline (a French actress who married into the Grimaldi family) came up with an idea: legalize gambling and build a casino. An immediate success after its 1856 opening, the casino gave Monaco the financial footing to negotiate a treaty with France in 1861 that finally gave it full sovereignty. After the casino permanently relocated to the area of Monte Carlo, Monaco made so much money from it that income taxes were abolished in 1869.

In 1848, two towns (Menton and Roquebrune), angry over the tax money they had to pay the Grimaldis, seceded from Monaco and eventually became part of France. Facing a loss of revenue (as well as almost 95% of its land area) Princess Caroline (a French actress who married into the Grimaldi family) came up with an idea: legalize gambling and build a casino. An immediate success after its 1856 opening, the casino gave Monaco the financial footing to negotiate a treaty with France in 1861 that finally gave it full sovereignty. After the casino permanently relocated to the area of Monte Carlo, Monaco made so much money from it that income taxes were abolished in 1869.

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 in the 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.

In 1848, two towns (Menton and Roquebrune), angry over the tax money they had to pay the Grimaldis, seceded from Monaco and eventually became part of France. Facing a loss of revenue, Princess Caroline (a French actress who married into the Grimaldi family) came up with an idea: legalize gambling and build a casino. An immediate success after its 1856 opening, the casino gave Monaco the financial footing to negotiate a treaty with France in 1861 that finally gave it full sovereignty. After the casino permanently relocated to the area of Monte Carlo, Monaco made so much money from it that income taxes were abolished in 1869.

The casino is one of two big reasons why Monaco has survived as an independent nation. The other happened in 1956, when another actress married into Monaco's royalty: Creator/GraceKelly wed Prince Rainier III and became Princess Grace. The notion of a glamorous movie star leaving Hollywood to be part of a "RealLife FairyTale" was irresistible to the world news media, guaranteeing Monaco constant attention.

Population is about 32,000. Most which are foreigners in the million/billionaire's club, as the country is a notable (or notorious, depends on who you talk to) tax haven. The native Monegasque are actually a minority in their own country, numbering only around 8,000 or so. These "subjects of the Prince" are the shop-workers, administrators, teachers and health care workers of the nation, and are thusly protected by Prince Albert and are allocated, should they need it, with rent-controlled accommodation and employment in a country that most ordinary working people could only dream of living in. Monaco is the most densely populated country in the world, as well as having the highest per capita police force (1 officer per 62 people) and virtually no crime.

Monaco, officially known as the Prinicipality 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. Other than The Vatican, it is the smallest independent nation on Earth.

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 in the at the end of the 12th century. In 1297, Francesco Grimaldi (''il Malizia'', [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "the malicious one"]]) arrived from Genoa 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.

At one time the site of a temple to Hercules, the Monaco area became a colony of Genoa in the early 13th century. In 1297, Francesco Grimaldi (''il Malizia'', [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "the malicious one"]]) arrived from Genoa 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.

In 1848, two towns (Menton and Roquebrune), angry over the tax money they had to pay the Grimaldis, seceded from Monaco and became part of France. Facing a loss of revenue, Princess Caroline (a French actress who married into the Grimaldi family) came up with an idea: legalize gambling and build a casino. An immediate success after its 1856 opening, the casino gave Monaco the financial footing to negotiate a treaty with France in 1861 that finally gave it full sovereignty. After the casino permanently relocated to the area of Monte Carlo, Monaco made so much money from it that income taxes were abolished in 1869.

A constitutional monarchy, the Sovereign Prince, Albert II, still has veto power, preventing it from being considered a full democracy. Albert II, who took over from his father, Rainier III, upon his death in 2005. He has been married to South African Charlene Wittstock since June 2011, and has twin children by her (born December 10, 2014)—Princess Gabriella, older by two minutes, and Hereditary Prince Jacques, now his heir apparent. Albert already had two illegitimate children: Jasmine Grace (mother: actress Tamara Rotolo) and Alexandre Coste (mother: Nicole Coste). He has two sisters: [[TheDutifulSon Princess Caroline]], heir presumptive to the Monegasque throne until being superseded by the births of Albert and Charlene's twins, and [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Stéphanie.]]

At one time the site of a temple to Hercules, the Monaco area became a colony of Genoa in the early 13th century. In 1297, Francesco Grimaldi (''il Malizia'', [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "the malicious one"]]) arrived from Genoa 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 protectorates of their neighbors.

The casino is one of two big reasons why Monaco has survived as an independent nation. The other happened in 1956, when another actress married into Monaco's royalty: Creator/GraceKelly wed Rainier III and became Princess Grace. The notion of a glamorous movie star leaving Hollywood to be part of a "RealLife FairyTale" was irresistible to the world news media, guaranteeing Monaco constant attention.