Chủ Nhật, 24 tháng 4, 2011

Monaco - World's Second Smallest Country

Short Note: This is my 2008 Europe trip, which happens almost 3 years ago. Please bear with me and hope you like it. Thank you for reading it.

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea along the French Riviera, which is the southern coast of France. Monaco is 18 kilometers east of the French city of Nice and near the border with Italy. (OK! A little brief of geography to understand where is the location of Monaco)

The name "Monaco" means "of the old town" which was derived from the ancient Greek Monoikos and it is usually associated with Hercules, the mythical hero.

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Port of Hercules, La Condamine - Well known for its distinctive wide harbour and moored expensive yachts.


French is Monaco's official language but not too worry, as English are also widely spoken and understood. Along our way to the casino, we came across a cathedral by the name of "Saint Nicholas Cathedral". This church is well-known where the wedding of the late Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly who was American actress married to Prince of Monaco was held there.
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Saint Nicholas Cathedral


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Monaco famous for its casino, one of Monaco's main sources of income. This is also the place of wealthy people lived where there is no tax being levied on them. According to my tour guide, to become Monaco residents, all you have to do is you need to pay 1 million Euro as deposits and this is non-refundable. Gosh!!! 1 million Euro is equal to RM5 million. They are really rich and wealthy people over here. The funny fact of Monaco is Monaco's own citizen are not allowed to gamble in the casino. Luckily our Malaysia government doesn't implement any rules that Malaysian citizen are not allowed to gambling in Genting Highland.

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Monte Carlo Casino, one of most notable buildings in Monaco.


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Out of most of the Casino, this is the only Casino we afford to enter as it doesn't require any entrance fee.


So, now you know that although Monaco is the second smallest country but never thought it is occupied with lots of rich and wealthy people. In my upcoming post, I will post what we saw the most during our visit in Monte Carlo, Monaco. So, please stay tune.

[Credits to Vincent, Nicole and Felicia for the photos. I brought a lousy camera to UK that time. Too bad :(]

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