Monaco - Principality or country?

[emx384]

Is Monaco a Principality only or is it officially a country?

[Goodsoulette]

I thought it was a country. Only because I remember being taught it was the country with the most people in it, in relation to area.

[emx384]

My understanding is that a Principality id a country ruled by a Prince - I am having a debate with someone who says it means it isnt a country!!!!

[kempie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monaco

[Buenchico]

Monaco is a country recognised by the UN (of which it's been a member since 1991).

Like the United Kingdom, Monaco is a constitutional monarchy but, since the sovereign takes the title 'Prince', rather than 'King', it's a principality rather than a kingdom.

Chris

[legend758duo]

"By charter of the French king Monaco established independence in 1489 (in the absence of an heir belonging to the house of Matignon-Grimaldi the territory shall fall back to France). The Protection Treaty with France of 1918 codified the established relations. France guarantees the independence of the principality while Monaco shall enter into international agreements only if France agrees.

Monaco is member of the United Nations since 28 May 1993 and has received a membership to the Council of Europe on 5 October 2004."


so id say its a pincipality of france from that .

whaddya think?

[legend758duo]

according to the monaco government site its a principality too.

so debate over id say

look if you want .

http://www.monaco.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/19 09!/x2Gb?OpenDocument&2Gb

[Goodsoulette]

A prinicipality just means it is an independant place ruled by a prince or princess. Monaco is a country, second smallest I believe

http://geography.about.com/cs/countries/a/smal lcountries.htm

[archeraddict]

Wales is also a principality and a country. However, I don't think Prince Charles actualy rules Wales(!) so I am confused still about definitions.

[jno]

Wales is a country at the World Cup but not at the Olympics... honestly, it's hard to say. Monaco lets France handle its foreign affairs (presumably because if it had to raise its own army it would contain about three privates, a sergeant and 27 cooks) but handles its own domestic affairs. I think that makes it a country that is also a principality, rather than just an autonomous region of France.

[Goodsoulette]

France provide protection for Monaco under the treaty of Versaille, for this they are politically in step with France. It has its own constitutions..... I'm not sure why people think Prinicipalities cant be countries.

[kettledrum]

Liechtenstein is also a Principality, and Luxemburg is a Grand-Duchy.
They are all countries, but Monaco & Liechtenstein are called Principalities because their Head of State is a Prince.