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FACT ONE
The Principality of Monaco is the second
smallest country in the world. The smallest is Vatican City.
Monaco's total area is only 2 square kilometres (1.24 square miles).
Monaco is bordered by France on the North, South and West with the
Mediterranean Sea to its East.
FACT TWO
Monaco is a constitutional monarchy/principality ruled by a
descendant of Grimaldi family, the ruling family since 1297 and the
oldest ruling house in Europe. Up to
2002, it was understood that if their were no heirs of the Grimaldi
to rule to country, control of the country would be taken up by
France. A treaty between France and Monaco in 2002 meant that should
the Grimaldi family leave no heirs, Monaco would still retain its
status as an independent nation.
FACT THREE
The Monaco Grand Prix is
one of the most famous races in the world. Drivers take to the
streets of Monaco, tackling its tight corners, narrow streets and
famous tunnel. Ayrton Senna holds the record for the most wins on
the track, coming first 6 times. The constructor with the most wins
is Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
FACT FOUR
Monaco Grand Prix also lends its name to a number of video games.
Sega released the arcade game Monaco GP way back in 1979, following
it up in 1989 with Super Monaco GP. Monaco GP was also released for
the SG-1000 while Super Monaco GP was converted to many of the
popular computers and consoles of the time. Ayrton Senna's Super
Monaco GP II was released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Master
System and Game Gear in 1992. Another game called Monaco Grand Prix was
released in 1999 for Nintendo 64 and the Sega Dreamcast. None of the
games were officially licensed by Formula One but show the regard
that the Monaco Grand Prix has in the racing world.
FACT FIVE
People native to Monaco are called Monegasque. A person born in a
foreign country but resident in Monaco is a Monacoian. Monaco is
unusual because the native Monegasques people are actually in the minority
in the country, making up less than a fifth of Monaco's population.
The population is made up mostly of wealthy foreigners.
FACT SIX
Monaco is famous for its casino in Monte Carlo. However, residents
of Monaco are not allowed to gamble or even enter the casino! James
Bond is a particular fan of the casino, having visited it in Never
Say Never Again, GoldenEye and Casino Royale.
FACT SEVEN
In 1956, glamorous American actress Grace Kelly married Rainier
III, Prince of Monaco, thus becoming Her Serene Highness The Princess
of Monaco, or Princess Grace for short.
FACT EIGHT
On the birth of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace's first child, a
national holiday was declared, the people of the principality were
treated to free champagne and gambling stopped for a day in the
casino. Their second child, Albert II, is now ruler of Monaco.
FACT NINE
Monaco's biggest football team is AS Monaco which plays in the top
league of French football, Ligue 1. Over half of the country's
population is able to fit into the team's stadium, Stade Louis II.
FACT TEN
Monaco's flag is the same as the flag of Indonesia. The only
difference is that the Indonesian flag is wider. The red and white
colours of the flag are the heraldic colours of the Grimaldi House.
AS Monaco also play in red and white and are often known as Les
Rouge et Blanc (the red and whites).
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