(former) Americans in Geneva: Monaco and Monte Carlo

While on vacation in the South of France we took a day trip to the neighboring country of Monaco and visited the capital Monte Carlo.

Monaco is a very interesting little country.

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city state, located on the French Riviera. Bordered by France on three sides, with one side bordering the Mediterranean Sea, its center is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy, and is only 15 km (9.3 mi) north east of Nice, France. It has an area of 1.98 km² (0.76 sq mi – PEOPLE!! LESS THAN 1 SQUARE MILE!!), and a population of 35,986, making Monaco the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world. Monaco has a land border of only 4.4 km (2.7 mi), a coastline of 4.1 km (2.5 mi), and a width that varies between 1.7 km (1.1 mi) and 349 metres (382 yards). The highest point in the country is a narrow pathway named Chemin des Révoires on the slopes of Mont Agel, in the Les Révoires district, which is 161 metres (528 feet) above sea level. Monaco's most populated Quartier is Monte Carlo, and the most populated Ward is Larvotto/Bas Moulins. After a recent expansion of Port Hercules, Monaco's total area is 2.05 km² (0.79 sq mi), with new plans to extend the district of Fontvieille (we had lunch there), with land reclaimed from the Mediterranean Sea.

Monaco is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II (son of Prince Rainier and actress Grace Kelly!!!) as head of state. However, even though Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch, he still has immense political power. The House of Grimaldi have ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The official language is French, but Monégasque, Italian, and English are widely spoken and understood. The state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full UN voting member in 1993, after much political debate. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defense is the responsibility of France.

We came to Monte Carlo just as they were wrapping up preparations for the famous Grand Prix of car racing. We walked around and took pictures of the grand stands and the track next to the finish line (it goes right through the middle of the city).

We went up to the Castle Hill and watched the changing of the Royal Guard.

This is the Monte Carlo cathedral where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married.

Then we hopped on a little tourist train/bus thingy which took us all around the tiny country as we listened to the story of its history from the oldest times up to the present day.

One of the cool spots we saw as we rode along was the famous Monte Carlo Casino which is featured in several James Bond movies "Never say never again", "Goldeneye" and "Casino Royale".