Monaco

Monaco - Is officially known as the Principality of Monaco. Monaco is a European Country and shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea and is completely enclosed by France. Monaco's economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center for many Americans, Asians, and Europeans. Monaco is often regarded as a tax haven, and many of its inhabitants are wealthy and from foreign countries making up a majority of the population. Monaco retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.

According to an ancient myth, Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods. As a result a temple was constructed there, the temple of Hercules Monoikos. Because the only temple of this area was the "House" of Hercules, the city was called Monoikos