Location: Monaco, on France's Mediterranean coast. The people of Monaco are called Monegasque. Of the estimated population of 30,000, only one fifth are citizens of the principality. Of the entire population, only 22 percent are true Monegasques. The vast majority of Monaco's population, 95 percent, are Roman Catholic.
Language: Monegasque (a dialect derived from both Genoese Italian and Provincial French)
History: The history of the Monegasque is a history of battle, a battle for possession. The Monegasque live in the second smallest country which was founded as a colony of Genoa in 1215. After the Franco-Monegasque Treaty in 1861, the sovereignty of the Monegasques was recognized. Monaco is home to the world's longest-ruling dynasty. In 199, the Grimaldis celebrated their 700th anniversary as sovereigns.
Daily Life: Under their Constitutional monarchy, the Monegasque live in a modern, industrialized, Christian country. Monaco's residents enjoy a high standard of living that includes the greatest per capita income. Monegasque family life is a nuclear family composed of parents and their children. Monegasques wear modern western-style clothing typical of developed countries. Monegasques enjoy a country with practically no unemployment. With a country the size of New York City's Central Park, the Monegasque welcome around 600,000 visitors from abroad every year. Monegasques is known as a gambling Mecca since the opening of the casino at Monte Carlo. Of the total work force, 46 percent are in services. Monegasque industry is composed of tourism, construction, chemicals, food products, plastics, precision instruments, cosmetic, and ceramics. The Monegasque also play host to two of the worlds greatest auto racing events, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Rally. In their country of virtually no crime, the Monegasques is famous for the natural beauty of its beaches and coastline and its pleasant, sunny climate.
References:
Links to other sites on the Monegasque * Background Notes Monaco * Monaco * Monegasque Cultural Activity Resources.
Rajewski, Brian. Countries of the World and Their Leaders Yearbook 2000, Vol. 1 (1999).
Gall, Timothy L. Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, Vol. 4 (1998).
Gall, Timothy & Susan. Worldmark Chronology of the Nations, Vol. 4 Europe (1999).
Written by: Brian Melby