Nearly all the visitors to southeast France pay a visit a Monaco, too. Lying near the French-Italian border, Monaco is not part of France, but a separate principality (大公国)—though it is surrounded by its great neighbour.
Monaco became a principality in the 16th century after being owned by a family member of a certain Italian king. The French and Italian, however, soon came to protect it one after another until 1861, when it became its own master again.
Facing the blue Mediterranean (地中海), Monaco is mainly made up of two cities, Monaco, where the palace for the Prince stands, and Monte Carlo, which is a wonderful place for visitors. Every year, about half a million people come to Monaco, nearly 25 times as much as its population.
Believe it or not, Monaco has no soldiers or policemen of its own. Law and order is kept by the French police, and the French stand for it in its foreign affairs, even the money used in Monaco is the franc, too.
1. Which of the following maps shows the right position of Monaco and its neighbouring countries? (Mc="Monaco," Fr="=France," I="Italy," Md=Mediterranean)
2. Monaco has a population of ____.
A. nearly 25 thousand B. no more than 20 thousand
C. about 12,500 thousand D. a little over 20 thousand
3. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. The national income of Monaco must be very little.
B. Monaco isn’t a completely independent country.
C. A principality is a country ruled by foreigners.
D. Monaco belongs to France since law and order is kept by the French police.
4. Now the head of the government of Monaco is ____.
A. an Italian B. a French C. a prince D. a president
