Monaco City is the southcentral ward in the Principality of Monaco. Located on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, it is nicknamed The Rock. The name "Monaco City" is misleading: it is not itself a city, but a historical and statistical district. It holds most of the country's political and judicial institutions: the Prince's Palace, the town hall, the government, the National Council, the Municipal Council, the courts and a prison.
View of Monaco City
Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Monaco City
A street in Monaco City
The Rock of Monaco from Monaco's exotic garden
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486 are Monégasque nationals; it is widely recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of the principality is French. In addition, Monégasque, English and Italian are spoken and understood by many residents.
Rainier I, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco
The Mayor of Monaco announcing concessions, ending the absolute monarchy of Prince Albert I in 1910
The marriage of actress Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III brought media attention to the principality.
View of Monaco in 2016