Wildlife
A great marine fauna
Sandy and rocky bottoms and posidonia meadows welcome their share of aquatic species near the Monegasque coast. The Larvotto district and the Hercules port are home to underwater reserves of 33 and 2 hectares respectively! In these clear waters you can observe algae, mollusks, sponges, conger eels, sea breams, groupers and mullets. But don't take out your fishing rod: it is forbidden!
Mareterra: nature at the heart of the project
While this new 6-hectare extension to the sea will allow the Monegasque territory to grow by 3%, there is no question for the Principality that this will be done at the expense of the surrounding nature. This new district will have a curved shape, to respect the marine current. 510 square meters of Posidonia Oceanica, a protected marine grass, will be saved. The project also includes the creation of artificial reefs to encourage the colonization of species
Monaco's birds
According to the latest data, there are 88 different species of birds in the Principality, ten of which are protected and four exotic. But the one you will see the most is without doubt the gull, which will not hesitate to steal your food directly from the plate, if you eat outside. According to the local press, these unafraid birds have even stolen wallets or sunglasses directly from bags left open! In general, the Principality takes care of its birds with the regular installation of nesting boxes
Flora
Monaco, land of gardens
With 20% of its territory devoted to green spaces, Monaco benefits from a particularly diversified flora. The carob tree (Monaco's national tree) is found here, of course, but also citrus trees, cypresses, thymes, oaks, magnolias, pines, cycads, palms and other plane trees. Of the many, many species of trees in the Principality, 92 were selected in 2013 to be part of the Heritage Tree Trail in the districts of Monte-Carlo, Monaco-Ville and Fontvieille, where you can admire the rarest, oldest and most indispensable trees in the Principality
The Exotic Garden
This garden, often considered one of the most beautiful in the world, is located on the heights of Monaco. One and a half hectares, on the side of a rock, created by Albert I in 1933, which offers a unique view of the Mediterranean. 1,200 varieties of plants from America, Africa and Asia, most of them succulent, such as cacti, are carefully preserved. Some of them are threatened in their country of origin. The vocation of this garden is not only tourist but also scientific. The Exotic Garden is located above a huge cave, which goes into the depths of Monaco, fifty meters below the ground, where we find stalactites and stalagmites
