Monaco

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Small sovereign state forming an enclave in southern France, with the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Government
Under the 1911 constitution, modified in 1917 and largely rewritten in 1962, Monaco is a hereditary principality, but an earlier concept of endowing the prince with a divine right to rule has been deleted. Legislative power is shared between the prince and a single-chamber national council, with 24 members elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. Executive power is formally vested in the prince but in practice is exercised by a four-member council of government.

France is closely involved in the government of Monaco. It is responsible for Monaco's military defence and provides a civil servant, appointed by the prince from a list of candidates proposed by the French government, to head the council of government as the minister of state. In 2002, a new treaty between France and Monaco states that if there are no heirs to carry on the dynasty, the principality will remain an independent nation and not revert to France, as had previously been the case.

History
Formerly part of the Roman Empire, Monaco became a Genoese possession in the 1228 and has been ruled since 1297 by the Grimaldi family. It was a Spanish protectorate 1542–1641, then came under French protection and during the French revolution was annexed by France in 1793. The ruling family was imprisoned (one was guillotined) but regained power after the 1814 Treaty of Paris. In 1815 Monaco became a protectorate of Sardinia but reverted to French protection in 1861. The princes of Monaco ruled absolutely until 1911, but since 1918 Monaco has agreed to align its policies with French political, military, and economic interests. In 1940 it was occupied by Italy and in 1943 by Germany but was liberated in 1945.

Prince Rainier III came to the throne in 1949, and in 1962 the constitution was changed to abolish capital punishment and allow women to vote, and a supreme court was set up to guarantee human rights. In May 1993 Monaco became a full member of the United Nations, having held observer status since 1955. Prince Rainier died in April 2005 and was succeeded by his son Albert II.

The central band was originally red. It was changed to blue to express solidarity with the Allies during World War I. Effective date: 28 September 1917. >>