MonacoTop

Monaco

( Monaco's coat of arms and unique flag-Top left, Overview of the port and skyline-Top right)

Location:

• Absolute: 43 44 N, 7 24 E

• Relative:

          Monaco lies on the south of the French Riviera. The micro-state sits on the Mediterranean Sea, and is near the border of Italy.

(Political Map showing the boundaries, and parts of this micro-state)

Place:

Physical: 

      Monaco is the second smallest, yet most densely populated and one of the richest countries in the world. Monaco is almost entirely urban, and has no agricultural industry. However Monaco does contain multiple ports which are used for fishing and transport. It's climate is warm-summer Mediterranean and has warm summers and very mild winters. 

Human:

1.        The official language is French and the second most popular is Italian, and both are because of geographical reasons. 
2.  The Monegasques (natives) are a minority in their own country (21%), and the French have the majority (28%). The United States nationals make up barely 1% of their entire population of 52,000. 
3. Christians  make up 83% of the religious demographic. 
4. The cuisine is very seafood and fish based because of its geographical location and use of its sea ports. Their food is also influenced by its Italian neighbors, because most dishes consist of olive oil, rice, and fresh vegetables.
5. Since 1911 Monaco has been home to the Monte Carlo automotive rally, and it has been home to the historic Monaco Grand Prix since 1929.
6. Monaco has a very famous club soccer team, AC Monaco that belongs the top French league.

(Monaco Grand Prix which has been held annually on the city streets for almost a century)

(Typical Monaco cuisine)

Movement:

• Monaco being a very small micro-state uses their shipping port to import and export most of their products. They are also connected to the French rail system that carries goods and people. There are many accesses for cars and boats to get into and around the city. There are also helipads scattered around that take you to the nearest airport which is in France. 

(View from the famous Monaco casino which exemplifies luxury)

Human Environment Interaction:

• Almost the entirety of Monaco is very Urban and it has been for a long time. Therefore the environment has obliviously been adapted to by both sides because of the time period this place has existed. Their fishing port is a commuter hub that has altered the sea bed, and its inhabitants living situations. Fishing is about the only true industry that comes from their environment and it is regulated and monitored.

(The famous Monaco port)

Regions:

• Formal: Monaco is a micro state that is governed by a constitutional monarchy. It shares a border with its ally France and has a foothold on the Mediterranean Sea.

• Functional: The most wealthy city on the planet. The hub of the wealth inside continental Europe while being the smallest country of them all. 

• Perceptual: On the French Riviera and Mediterranean Sea. Monaco is the diamond of Europe. The country is rich, exotic, and beautiful. 

Video

This video gives you a true visual experience of Monaco. Monaco is an urban region full of gems and the opportunity to create great memories.

"You gotta go to Mon-a-co!":

• Monaco contains its own very famous and well known casino
• Monaco provides a great home for all sorts of boating and yachting 
• Deep sea fishing is a very popular activity for tourists
• The food is phenomenal and there is a variety of Italian and french cuisine
• Exotic cars are very prevalent because it is known as the playground for the wealthy
• Monaco has many historic buildings with ornate architecture.
• Monaco is called the diamond of Southern Europe because of its breathtaking views and scenery
• Monaco sits on the Mediterranean and contentions many beautiful beaches

(One of the many beaches in Monaco)

From then to Now:

(Monaco of the 1950's)

(Monaco 2014)

• Monaco has not changed at all since the 1950's. The port has expanded because of sea traffic and the buildings have been renovated and upgraded. Monaco is a mainly urban environment that has existed for nearly a century. Therefore not much has been altered or expanded because there is no space to do so.

Bibliography:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monaco
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNuvyHXcz0M
   https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mn.htm