The Men Who Built the Bank at Monte Carlo

Whatever the morality and social costs, Monaco impresses the newcomer as a gambling success story, a place to reaffirm one's faith in the power of money. More prosperous in appearance and more densely populated than neighbouring communities along the French and Italian Rivieras, Monaco has become a cultural and economic centre, as well as a place to hear fine music and watch opera, to study oceanography, to attend conventions and to conduct business. Such a force has Monaco become, in fact, that it employs people who live beyond its borders – both those who commute to Monaco and serve on its labour force, and those in the French hospitality industry who cater to people who sample Monaco's delights for only a few hours at a time. Monaco lacks the garish appearance of Nevada, and its government is more reputable than that of the Bahamas.