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Monaco Becomes Monegasque
| Article
# : |
15970 |
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Section : |
CULTURE
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| Issue
Date : |
7 / 1989 |
4,976 Words |
| Author
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Paul Robert Magocsi
Paul Robert Magocsi is professor of history and political
science at the University of Toronto, where he holds the chair
of Ukrainian Studies. His numerous publications deal with the
history of nationalism in Eastern Europe, cartography,
language, bibliography, and ethnic groups in the United
States. |
Monaco, Monte Carlo, Princess Grace (nee Kelly)--for most people these names will immediately conjure up images of wealth, luxury, pleasure, and decadence. All are connected with a small rectangular chunk of land along the coast of the French Riviera, a mere snippet of coastline, concrete, and cliffs that, at most, equals the length of only a few blocks in any large city. Yet it seems that everyone has at least heard of Monaco, and some--even among those who have not been there--will know that it is an independent country.
However, hardly anyone--even among specialists--will know about one aspect of this country, and when told about that aspect, they would at first glance be hard-pressed to believe that the Principality of Monaco (in French, Principaute de Monaco: in Monegasque, Principatu de Munegu) is going through a kind of national renaissance. Yes, there is talk of a distinct Monegasque people and culture and of a Monegasque language (a lenga Munegasca) which is already standardized and being taught in schools. And all this in a country that covers no more than 0.73 square mile (1.9 square kilometers) and has fewer than 4,500 citizens of Monegasque descent.
Despite its small size, the Principality of Monaco is actually divided into four distinct sections: Monaco city, La Condamine, Monte Carlo, and Fontvieille. Monaco city (Monaco-Ville) is the oldest part of the principality and is perched on a high, rocky cliff, known simply as "the Rock" (in Monegasque, a Roca). One end of the cliff is the prince's castle; the other end forms a picturesque peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea. Just below the eastern side of Monaco's cliff is La Condamine, a lowland coastal strip facing a natural harbor. Farther east is Monte
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