Monaco City

Monaco City
Ward of Monaco

View of Monaco City
Nickname(s): The Rock

Location in Monaco
Monaco City

Location in relation to France

Coordinates: 43°43′51.24″N 7°25′26.76″E / 43.7309000°N 7.4241000°E / 43.7309000; 7.4241000Coordinates: 43°43′51.24″N 7°25′26.76″E / 43.7309000°N 7.4241000°E / 43.7309000; 7.4241000
Country  Monaco
Area
 • Land 0.196491 km2 (0.075866 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Total 975
 • Density 4,962/km2 (12,850/sq mi)

Monaco City (French: Monaco-Ville) is the southcentral Ward in the Principality of Monaco. Located on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco City is nicknamed The Rock (French: Le Rocher). The name "Monaco City" (French: Monaco-Ville) is misleading, Monaco City is a historical and statistical district, not a city.[1][2]

Geography

Monaco City is one of the four traditional quarters (French: quartiers) of Monaco, the others are La Condamine, Monte Carlo, and Fontvieille.

Monaco-Ville is located at 43°44′15″N 7°24′55″E / 43.73750°N 7.41528°E / 43.73750; 7.41528 and has an estimated population of 975.

History

Main article: History of Monaco

Monaco City was originally called Monoikos, after the temple of Hercules Monoikos, located in a Phocaean Greeks colony of the 6th century BCE. During its history, Monoikos passed hands numerous times. It became Monaco in the Middle Ages. Some of the city walls and original structures still remain.

In 1297, the Rock was seized by François Grimaldi, a member of the House of Grimaldi. The Grimaldis made the old fortress their residence. The fortress evolved into the Palais Princier, which is the official residence of Albert II, Prince of Monaco.

Landmarks

Despite being located in the middle of the City of Monaco, the world's most densely populated urban center, Monaco City remains a medieval village at heart, made up almost entirely of quiet pedestrian streets and marked by virtual silence after sundown. Though innumerable people visit Monaco City, and the palace square, only local vehicles are allowed up to the Rock, and gasoline-powered motorcycles are prohibited after 10 pm.

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. ↑ "United-Nations data, country profile". Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "Constitution of Monaco (art. 78): The territory of the Principality forms a single commune.". Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Fort Antoine". Visit Monaco - Fort Antoine. Visit Monaco. Retrieved 27 June 2014.

Media related to Monaco-Ville at Wikimedia Commons

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