From: Gene McAloon 

On Thu, 3 Jul 2003 19:45:18 +0100, "Paul Ranson"
 wrote:

>I don't see Monaco as part of France (or Italy).

In a sense it is a part of France, although independently governed. For example,
by law the man who actually runs the place must be a French citizen and
more to the point, if the Grimaldi dynasty should die out Monaco would
remain independent but under French protection.  And why not?  Most of the
population has French citizenship with only about 15% claiming Monaco
citizenship by right of descent.

Looked at another way, Monaco remains independent only as a sort of
courtesy by the French to the Grimaldi family whose reign began in 1297. 
Even then the relationship has always been contentious.

Gene

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