Monaco's naturally protected harbour has been a favourite anchorage on the Mediterranean since antiquity.  The name Monoikos is said to have stemmed from the Greeks, and the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, loaded his troops here en route to fight Pompeii. According to legend, Hercules founded a route that was secured by many old fortresses, that ran parallel to the coast from Italy to Spain. Therefore the main harbour in Monaco is named after him. The Grimaldis, an aristocratic family that originally stemmed from Genoa, have controlled Monaco since 1297. Due to the many political upheavals that the principality was exposed to during its history, Monaco became impoverished. In order to acquire new sources of income, Prince Charles III founded the "Société des Bains de Mer" in 1861, under which the world famous casino was set up. The luxurious spa, with its mild Mediterranean climate, attracted aristocrats and affluent citizens from all over Europe. The Monte Carlo Opera, one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, opened in 1879. Even the automobile club from Monte Carlo that hosts the renowned rally, is more than 100 years old. Direct taxes were abolished in 1869, thus making Monaco even more attractive. If the tax laws were to be modified in the meantime, they would still be very reasonable compared to the rest of Europe. This could be why the Monegasque have become a minority in their own country. Only about 5,000 of the total approximate population of 30,000 are indigenous. In addition, about one million tourists from all over the world stay here overnight every year. In recent years, Monaco has also increased the development of business tourism: the Grimaldi Forum, scheduled to open in the summer of 2000, will be able to accommodate conventions with as many as 2,000 participants.