Land reclamation in Monaco

[1][2] The entire district of Fontvieille was constructed on land reclaimed from the sea in the western part of Monaco in the 1970s.

It is the newest of the four traditional quartiers (districts) in the principality of Monaco, and one of ten wards for modern administrative purposes.

More recently, Port Hercules has been extended to welcome larger cruise ships on one side, and to provide land for a new Yacht Club on the other.

Monaco's leaders have approached the prospect of further land reclamation with caution and have stated that new projects would have to meet strict environmental standards to limit damage to flora and wildlife.

Due to the concerns that land reclamation could potentially damage local marine ecosystems, Prince Albert II has insisted the entire expansion be placed on stilts, like an oil rig, in order to disturb the sea floor as little as possible.