Monaco
In the sixteenth century, Monaco came under a succession of protectorates by European powers which recognized its independence. The powers that helped protect Monaco during this period in its history included Spain (1525 to 1641), France (1641 to 1814), and Sardinia (1814 to 1860).Monaco has been under the control of the House of Grimaldi since 1297. Its present ruler is Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre de Grimaldi, the 27th ruling prince. His father was Prince Rainier, who recently died in 2005, and his mother was the actress Grace Kelly, who died tragically in an automobile accident in 1982. Since 1962, Monaco has had a hereditary and constitutional monarchy. Although it is an independent nation, Monaco has special links with France.Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world, and has the world's highest concentration of inhabitants per square yard. Its 30,539 citizens pay...











