The Rock of Monaco was a shelter for primitive populations. Traces of their occupation were discovered in a cave in the Saint-Martin Gardens. The first sedentary inhabitants of the region, the Ligures, are described as a mountain people, accustomed to hard work and an exemplary frugality. The coast and the port of Monaco were probably the sea access for the interior Ligurian population, the Oratelli of Peille.At the end of the 12th century B.C., the Romans occupied the region. Monaco is part of the Province of the Maritime Alps. During their occupation, the Romans erected at La Turbie, the Trophy of Augustus, which celebrates the triumph of their military campaigns. During this same period, Phoenecian and Carthaginian sailors brought prosperity to the region. After the fall of the Roman Empire (5th century A.D.), the region was regularly sacked by different barbarian populations. It was only at the end of the X century, after the expulsion of the Sarrasins by the Count of Provence, that the coast slowly became repopulated. greece rhodes rhodos kos
Monaco came under French protection in 1861. Until 1911, when the first constitution was promulgated, the prince was an absolute ruler.

Monaco's practice of providing a tax shelter for French businessmen resulted in a 1962 dispute between the countries. A compromise was reached by which French citizens with less than five years residence in Monaco were taxed at French rates, and taxes were imposed on Monegasque companies doing more than 25% of their business outside the principality.rhodes rhodos kos greece
The country was admitted to the U.N. in May 1993, making it the smallest country represented there. The country celebrated the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi reign during 1997.

With more than 300 days a year of sunshine, residents in Monaco can take advantage of the Mediterranean, and all of its seaside activities.For centuries, the mere mention of Monaco has inspired images of luxury, glamour, excitement and leisure. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world are drawn to Monaco’s Mediterranean climate, her luxurious beaches, lively casinos and world-renown events.
Moreover, Monaco's close proximity to the Southern Alps, which are only 1 hour away by car, allows for easy access to the ski slopes.
Monaco has a tourist business that runs as high as 1.5 million visitors a year and is famous for its beaches and casinos.rhodes rhodos greece greek kos
In 1967, Rainier took control of the Société des Bains de Mer, operator of the famous Monte Carlo gambling casino, in a program to increase hotel and convention space.
Diverse lodging possibilities (3.500 hotel rooms of which 2.500 are 4-star), the presence of efficient and organized tourism infrastructures (2 conference centres and numerous reception halls) and the fact that the hotels, conference centers, halls, ect. are all located with in a single area of the Principality make it an ideal destination for the organization of a conference or trade show.

Monte-Carlo Opera

Since 1892 the Monte Carlo Opera has occupied the Salle Garnier hall, named after the architect who also designed the Paris Opera House. It is a magnificent hall with a wonderful past. Many works were produced here for the first time, such as Richard Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde," in 1893, and Maurice Ravel's "The Child and the Spells" in 1925. In all, 45 lyrical works were first produced in Monte-Carlo by some of the world's greatest singers including Melba, Caruso, Chaliapin, Tito Schipa, Georges Thil and the more contemporary Ruggero Raimondi, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Every year John Mordler, the current Director of the Monte Carlo Opera, presents a season of quality works, many of which are often new productions. Since the 2001 opening of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, Monte-Carlo's state-of-the-art cultural center, the Monte-Carlo Opera also frequently performs in the forum's Salle des Princes and Salle Prince Pierre auditoriums. The company tours the world when not performing in Monaco. The opera season runs from January through March. Tickets go on sale in November. greek greece rhodes rhodos rodos kos

Every spring, sports car fans from around the globe descend on the Principality of Monaco to witness the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, the only race in the world that is held on city streets. Spectators delight in the raucous noise of the roaring engines as they speed along the Boulevard Albert 1er up toward the Casino and dare the hairpin turn in front of the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Organized by the Automobile Club of Monaco, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the world's most popular international sporting events and takes place each year during the last weekend in May greece
greek rhodes rhodos rhodes kos