 The Principality of Monaco can be a lot of things to different people. American tourists usually stop there to satisfy their gambling needs during a tour of the French Riviera. The local French population thinks of it as a place where decadent aristocrats and billionaire foreigners reside. Formula 1 enthusiasts consider the Monte-Carlo Race in late Spring to be the jewel of the racing season. Oceanographers and marine biologists around the World know of Monaco’s historical contributions to the field of marine sciences during the late 19th century. To me Monaco is the place where I spend over 12 years of my life, growing up, going to school, and having a normal life.
I moved to Monaco when I was only 3 years old, in March 1983, shortly after the death of Grace Kelly. My parents, who were Polish Baptist missionaries at the time, were invited to come to Monaco to conduct radio evangelical broadcasts for an American mission called Trans World Radio. The Cold War was still going strong back then and no country in Western Europe would allow TWR a place to set up its European headquaters. No country except for Monaco that it; every since the marriage of Prince Rainier III and Gracy Kelly the Principality has sought to strengthen its relationship to the United States.
Anyways, before I get too carried away, this page on Monaco Monte-Carlo is primarily for myself. I wanted a place to put some pictures I've taken in my travels to Monaco in 2003 and 2005. This page is also dedicated to my family and friends, especially for those who have not been in the Principality. But finaly this page is also for people who are thinking of visiting Monaco themselves. I'm not a tour guide, nor do I claim to know that much about tourist-related information about Monaco; but some people might find my photographs and descriptions of some help. Following is a "clickable map" of Monaco. Just point and click to the part of the Principality you would like to view in more detail: 
Copyright © 2006
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Regardless of what Monte-Carlo evokes in people it is hard to deny that it is a beautiful place. Monaco is located on the gorgeous French Riviera between the French Alps and the Mediterranean; it is, after the Vatican, the smallest sovereign state in the World with a surface area of under 2 square kilometres and with a population of over 32 thousands. The Principality is governed by a constitutional monarchy with H.S.H. Prince Albert II as the head of the House of Grimaldi and ruler of the state. The Grimaldi’s have ruled over Monaco for over 700 years ever since François Grimaldi (also know as Malizia) took over the fortress in 1297. In 2002 Monaco signed a new treaty with France proclaiming that the Principality is guaranteed its independence; this state of sovereignity would be maintained even if there is a lack of heirs to carry-on the Grimaldy dynasty.
To most tourists Monaco is like a dreamworld: grand casinos, luxury hotels, celebrities in ferraries or lamborghinies driving around, all are quite common in Monte-Carlo. But there are plenty of regular folks living in Monaco too, and when you live there all the fancy stuff just fades in the background. There is your "Billionaire's Club" but there are plenty of cheap dive bars too. You could dine in an exclusive restaurant at the "Hotel de Paris" or just grab a "jambon beurre" at a street kiosque. In the end you could easily not spend any money on your visit of Monaco, if you brought your own meals and walked around all day. This concept was well demonstrated by hordes of Eastern European tourists during the early 90s, to the great dismay of the Monegasque Tourist Bureau.