Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Principauté de Monaco

With little more than 2km² Monaco is the second-smallest independent state worldwide. Only the Vatican is smaller. Sometimes it is claimed, that the "Palazzo Malta" and the "Villa Malta", the headquarters of "Sovereign Military Order of Malta" in Rome, are the smallest state. Though the order has an own currency and issued stamps, these two buildings are not an "independent state" but a "sovereign entity".

With little more than 2km² Monaco is the second-smallest independent state worldwide. Only the Vatican is smaller. In population density Monaco finishes second with a population of around 33.000. Here Macau leads the statistic. I could not find any statistic on horsepower per m². The density of Porsches, Bugattis and Ferraris is extraordenary high. The owners of these cars live here, as Monaco is a tax haven. Income- and inheritance-tax for individuals are just unknown. The number of "tax refugee" residents, who would like to live in Monaco, is growing. As more millionaires need more flats, tower cranes are just everywhere (four on this shot). Thanks to reinforced concrete high-rise blocks of flats are possible even on the very steep slopes. Thanks to reclaiming area from the sea Monaco is even growing. The Principality of Monaco is not very friendly to pedestrians, as sidewalks just need to much space. To reach sea-level I had to use four different elevators. Here to be seen in Monaco-ville, the old, fortified town on the rock and the administrative area. The House of Grimaldi has a palace there (started as a castle 1297). Prince of Monaco and Head of state is Albert II. On the right is the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, built end of the 19th century. On the left a small part of the large yacht-harbour, just behind the big wheel. Actually to reside in Monaco was popular already more than 100 years ago. Emma Forsayth-Coe (aka "Queen Emma"), born in Samoa bought an appartment here, after having sold all her assets in what is now Papua New Guinea. She died after a colourful life in Monaco in 1913. But yes, that is a different story..

Even in December the sky is blue, the climate is mild and the flats have balconies for the summertime. At least the better flats. A good part of the population of 36.000, attracted by the climate and the tax-laws, live in high-rise blocks of flats in La Condamine, the area around the harbour. A high packing density. It reminded me on battery cages for egg-laying chickens. But that is unfair. The millionairs living in these blocks can drive their Porsches out of the air-conditioned, subterranian car parks - leave Monaco via a motorway and take a walk somewhere on the beaches or up in the mountains.