Monte Carlo - City of Monaco

Monte Carlo is one of Monaco's administrative areas,sometimes erroneously believed to be a town or the country's capital. The official capital is Monaco-Ville and covers all quarters of the territory. The old town of Monaco-Ville surrounds the palace on the southwest side of the Monaco harbor. To the west is the new suburb, harbor, and marina of Fontvieille. On the other side of the rock and around the harbor is La Condamine and resort of Larvotto with is on the east.

Monte Carlo, which lies in the French Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea in Monaco in the corner of France and Italy is known internationally as a playground for the rich and famous. It is widely known for its casinos, gambling, glamour, luxurious yachts and for sightings of wealthy businessmen and famous people. Monte Carlo quarter includes not only Monte Carlo proper where the famous Le Grand Casino is located. It also includes the neighborhoods of Saint-Michel, Saint-Roman/Tenao, and the beach community of Larvotto. It borders the French town of Beausoleil.

Founded in 1866, Monte Carlo has a name of Italian origin meaning "Mount Charles". Named in compliment to the prince then reigning, Charles III of Monaco. The specific mountain is the escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps on which the town stands.

In 1911, the Constitution divided the principality of Monaco in 3 municipalities, the municipality of Monte Carlo was created covering the existing neighborhoods of La Rousse / Saint Roman, Larvotto / Bas Moulins and Saint Michel. In 1917, it returned to a single area throughout the principality. Today Monaco however is divided into 11 quarters.

The quarter of Monte Carlo was served by tramways from 1900 to 1953, linking parts of Monaco. In 2003, a new cruise ship pier was completed in the harbor at Monte Carlo.

Due to its lavish buildings and glamorous nature, Monte Carlo has featured in numerous films and television series. The 1930 American film Monte Carlo starring Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald was set in Monte Carlo. The casino featured in the James Bond films Never Say Never Again and Goldeneye which featured Pierce Brosnan going into the casino with a red Ferrari outside in the car park. Monte Carlo was even a location for the late 1960s British London based series Randall and Hopkirk where in the eleventh episode of the series, The Ghost who Saved the Bank at Monte Carlo Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre went to Monte Carlo to accompany a highly talented elderly woman to gamble inside the casino and layway a group of thugs . In 1970 Chevrolet introduced a car called the Chevrolet Monte Carlo which went through six generations of production until 2007.