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|  | MONACO COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Monaco is second only to the Vatican as the smallest independent state in Europe. Set on the Mediterranean coast of France just a few miles from the Italian border, the principality is a constitutional monarchy and relies largely on foreign currency for an economic base. Its principal industry is tourism. The country is a narrow ribbon of coastline backed by the Alpes-Maritimes foothills, creating a natural amphitheatre overlooking the sea, with the population centred in four districts. Monaco-Ville is set on a rocky promontory dominating the coast. The Palace is the home of the Grimaldi family, the oldest ruling house in Europe. Monaco-Ville also boasts a fine Romanesque cathedral among its other attractions. La Condamine is the area around the Port, while Monte-Carlo is the main centre for business and entertainment. Fontvieille has been set aside as an area for new light industrial and residential development. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center. Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In 2001, a major construction project extended the pier used by cruise ships in the main harbor. The principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Monaco forms an enclave into the French Département of the Alpes Maritimes. The narrow ribbon of coastline is backed by the mountains, which form a protective barrier. This area creates a natural amphitheatre. From the heights of the Tête de Chien or Mont Agel, or from lower down from the Moyenne-Corniche at the level of the entrance to the Jardin Exotique, there are a number of panoramic viewpoints looking out over exceptional scenery. The ancestral Rocher and the promontory of Spélugues border the harbour where pleasure boats are moored. The rock of Monaco has a medieval air. It is a city of bright, clean streets which converge on the Prince's Palace Square, where there are museums, boutiques and restaurants.
Monaco is well located for exploring Provence and the French Riviera. For a description of the area of France surrounding Monaco, see Southeast in the France section.
Monaco-Ville
Perched on the famous Rock, the Old Town (Monaco-Ville) juts into the sea on Monaco's western flank and offers excellent views of the harbour and its usual armada of luxury yachts below. The city's architectural history, reflected in its medieval houses, palaces and vaulted passageways, is best experienced on foot - either alone or through one of the many organised tours available (which tend to make the city quite crowded during the summer months). The main tourist attraction is the Prince's Palace and State Apartments (open daily 0930-1830 June to September and 1000-1700 during October). Built around 1215, the palace's focal points are the Throne Room and the Main Courtyard with its horse-shaped marble staircase, adorned with millions of geometric patterns. The Changing of the Palace Guard (admission free) takes place daily, just before noon (1155). For a visit of the palace and apartments, an admission fee is charged. Also worth visiting are the serene and sea-facing Saint-Martin Gardens, which inspired the poet Guillaume Apollinaire between 1887 and 1889.
There are a number of museums of varying degrees of interest located in the Old Town, including the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, whose grandiose façade rises spectacularly out of the sea and houses a world-renowned collection of marine fauna. New, interactive exhibits are being introduced in 2001. Other museums and attractions include the Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collection of the Palace's Historic Archives, which exhibits thousands of objects relating to the First Empire (Napoleon I) and provides a colourful history of Monaco; the Wax Museum of the Princes of Monaco, Monaco's answer to London's Madame Tussaud's; the Monte-Carlo Story, a multivision show about Monaco's history; and the Azur Express Tourist Train, which carries up to 54 visitors and offers commentaries in French, Italian, German and English.
For all tourist attractions and museums (except the Japanese Gardens), an admission fee is charged. Opening hours and prices are seasonal; ask for the relevant brochures from the Direction du Tourisme (see address section).
Monte-Carlo and Monaco
Monaco is perhaps best known for its glittering array of casinos and gaming rooms, the most famous of which is the Grand Casino in Monte-Carlo. The casino is located in Monaco's most famous quartier known as 'the Golden Square', where all the most luxurious and fashionable hotels, restaurants and boutiques can also be found (including the famous Hotel de Paris). The casino was originally built in 1863 and demolished in 1878, but was then replaced six months later by a new structure according to the plans of Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House. The style is distinctively grand and luxurious and the casino is linked to the Salle Garnier Opera House by an impressive atrium lined with 28 Ionic columns made of onyx. The minimum age for entering the casino's gambling rooms is 21 (the same is true for Monte Carlo's other casinos). Public slot machines open daily from 1400, private gambling rooms from 1500. An admission fee is charged.
Other attractions in Monte-Carlo and Monaco include the Japanese Gardens, right next to the sea; the National Museum of Dolls and Clockwork Exhibits of Yesteryear; the Exotic Garden; Observatory Caves and Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology (located in Moneghetti); and the Condamine Market, a covered market next to one of Monaco's best shopping districts (the pedestrianised Rue Princesse Caroline and the Rue Grimaldi).
Monte-Carlo Bord de Mer (Larvotto)
The creation of this new district was made possible by re-routing railway tracks underground. The development has a beach, restaurants, snack bar and shops. This part of Monaco also has extensive sporting facilities at the prestigious Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel where there are restaurants and an olympic-sized swimming pool.
Fontvieille
The main attractions in this area include the Princess Grace Rose Garden, a large park containing more than 150 varieties of rose. The Museum of Stamps and Coins features rare philatelic items from the postal history of the Principality. The permanent exhibition of Prince Rainier III's Private Collection of Classic Cars, with over 100 classic cars, is nearby. The Naval Museum and the Zoological Terraces are also located in Fontvieille. | | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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