Do you know? Monaco is the second smallest country in the world because it sold 88% of its territory in exchange for a powerful bodyguard. So what happened to Monaco and why did it come to such a seemingly stupid approach?
The entire territory of Monaco is only 2.08 square kilometers, and the permanent population is less than 40,000 people, probably not as large as the population of a county in China. Although Monaco is only a small country, it is a solid developed country, and the average annual asset of the whole country is close to 190,000 US dollars, so it can be said that everyone here is rich.
But in fact, before Monaco's land area was not only 2.08 square kilometers, but more than 20 square kilometers, so why is the current area of Monaco shrinking so much? This is mainly related to the sad history of Monaco, which in primitive times was divided into three different groups of people, namely Ligurians, Phoenicians and Carthaginians. Three different categories of people formed their own tribes, with different habits and ways of life, and also divided the territory, so that the whole territory of Monaco was divided into three.
As time passed, in 1388, the differences between the three communities became more and more obvious, and the contradictions intensified, so they directly established their own principality. Later, due to the endless debate between the three forces, the people's lives were greatly affected. After a war, the more powerful Gorians unified the country, and it was from that time that Monaco became an independent sovereign state.
Why did Monaco achieve reunification, but then it went to division?
Geographically, Monaco can be said to be facing a double attack, surrounded by France and Spain on both sides. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Spain and Portugal carried out colonial expansion, and in order to avoid the possibility of becoming a colony, Monaco negotiated with Spain, and eventually Monaco offered to offer to Spain every year and was willing to become a Spanish protectorate. Later, with the rise of European countries, the glory of Spain and Portugal has become a thing of the past, Monaco quickly took sides, ran to the side of France, became a French protectorate, and took the opportunity to drive out many Spain in Monaco.
At that time, Monaco felt that after that, the world must be too peaceful. However, france has long been careful about Monaco, and they hope that Monaco can directly join France and become part of France. Monaco certainly did not agree, but at that time, France was strong, the two sides were very different in strength, Monaco was not France's opponent at all, and in the end could only accept reality and accept French rule.
Moreover, the French colonial plunder was deepening step by step, and finally the whole of Monaco was completely surrounded by France. In this way, the development of Monaco was greatly restricted, and the import and export of goods had to pass through the territory of France and had to be approved by France, so Monaco had to get out of the predicament of that time on its own.
Morocco had thus come up with a solution in exchange for the independence of the Country in exchange for the land of Monaco. France wants to give him whatever places he wants, and doesn't care about the price. The French were naturally happy to see that Monaco had made such a proposal, and it was really a bargain to buy land close to more than 20 square kilometers at a low price. Moreover, the buyer and seller are legal and reasonable, and France will not be accused of invasion because it owns Monegasque land. So after that, 88% of Monaco's territory was owned by France, which at that time cost almost 4 million francs.
Although Monaco was scolded at that time, many people felt that Monaco was forced to buy and sell land because of weakness, but in fact, this is not the case, this is exactly where Monaco is smart, so what is the truth behind the sale?
Although Monaco did have more than 20 square kilometers of land before, these more than 20 square kilometers can be said to be useless, and because the geographical location of the whole of Monaco was relatively special, facing the Mediterranean Sea, it was also an important transportation hub, and other countries were also eyeing Monaco's territory.
Therefore, these more than 20 kilometers are more of a burden for Monaco and a threat to national security. In this way, it is better to take the initiative to reduce the area of the territory. The territory is small, and Monaco will feel that such a small country will not pose any threat in the eyes of other countries. Therefore, the trade was more beneficial than harmful to Monaco, not only eliminating the covetousness of other countries for Monaco, but also maintaining its own identity as an independent sovereign state. Importantly, the French, who had bought territory, naturally became Monaco's bodyguards.
Monaco, which sold its territory, has only the size of a village and is tightly surrounded by France, and France, as the beneficiary of the sale, will naturally not be embarrassed by Monaco. If you want to enter Monaco, you must go through France, and if someone wants to attack Monaco, you have to ask the French people if they agree. With the full protection of France, the whole of Monaco is like a paradise, there is no dispute with the world, just to develop yourself. Monaco has used its advantages to develop tourism, bearing the name of "the second smallest country in the world", attracting many tourists.
Later, Monaco also directly adopted a tax exemption service, and all goods purchased in Monaco were tax-free. As a result, many companies have been attracted to register here. Moreover, Monaco has a Mediterranean climate, with a humid and warm climate all year round, which is a suitable place to move, so a large number of rich Europeans have immigrated here, which is the main reason why Monaco later became a properly rich area.