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Mountain range in France and Italy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maritime Alps (French: Alpes Maritimes [alp maʁitim]; Italian: Alpi Marittime [ˈalpi maˈrittime]) are a mountain range in the southwestern part of the Alps. They form the border between the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and the Italian regions of Piedmont and Liguria. They are the southernmost part of the Alps.
Maritime Alps | |
---|---|
French: Alpes Maritimes Italian: Alpi Marittime | |
Highest point | |
Peak | Monte Argentera |
Elevation | 3,297 m (10,817 ft) |
Coordinates | 44°10′45″N 7°18′18″E |
Geography | |
Countries | France, Italy and Monaco |
Regions, Régions | Piedmont, Liguria and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
Rivers | Verdon, Ubaye, Roya, Var and Stura di Demonte |
Range coordinates | 44°13.9′N 7°10.6′E |
Parent range | Alps |
Borders on | Ligurian Alps, Cottian Alps, Provence Alps and Prealps and Mediterranean Sea |
Geology | |
Orogeny | Alpine orogeny |
Administratively the range is divided between the Italian provinces of Cuneo and Imperia (eastern slopes) and the French department of Alpes-Maritimes (western slopes).
The Maritime Alps are drained by the rivers Roya, Var and Verdon and their tributaries on the French side; by the Stura di Demonte and other tributaries of the Tanaro and Po on the Italian side. There are many attractive perched villages, such as Belvédère at the entrance to the spectacular Gordolasque valley, some concealing unexpected architectural riches (for example in the south there are numerous churches decorated with murals and altarpieces by primitive Niçois painters).
The borders of the Maritime Alps are as follows (clockwise):
The main peaks of the Maritime Alps are:
Name | Elevation |
---|---|
Monte Argentera | 3,297 m |
Monte Stella | 3,262 m |
Cima Genova | 3,191 m |
Cime du Gélas | 3,135 m |
Cima di Nasta | 3,108 m |
Monte Matto | 3,097 m |
Cima del Baus | 3,067 m |
Mont Pelat | 3,053 m |
Mont Clapier | 3,046 m |
Mont Ténibre | 3,032 m |
Enciastraia | 2,955 m |
Mont Bégo | 2,872 m |
Mont Mounier | 2,818 m |
Roche de l'Abisse | 2,755 m |
Monte Grammondo | 1,378 m |
The chief passes of the Maritime Alps are:
Name | Location | Type | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|
Col de la Bonette | Tinée Valley to Barcelonnette | Road (minor loop climbs to 2,802 m) | 2715 |
Col de Restefond | Col de la Bonette to Barcelonnette | Road | 2680 |
Bassa di Druos | Tinée Valley to Terme di Valdieri | Bridle path | 2630 |
Colle di Ciriegia | Saint-Martin-Vésubie to Terme di Valdieri | Bridle path | 2551 |
Col des Granges Communes | Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée to Barcelonnette | Bridle path | 2512 |
Col de Pourriac | Tinee Valley to Argentera | Footpath | 2506 |
Colle di Guercia | Tinee Valley to Vinadio | Footpath | 2451 |
Col de la Lombarde | Isola to Vinadio | Road | 2350 |
Col de la Cayolle | Var River valley to Barcelonnette | Road | 2327 |
Col du Sabion | Tende to Valdieri | Bridle path | 2264 |
Col d'Allos | Verdon River valley to Barcelonnette | Road | 2250 |
Maddalena Pass | Barcelonnette to Cuneo | Road | 1995 |
Col de Tende | Tende to Cuneo | Road, road tunnel Railway tunnel | 1873 |
Col de Turini | Vésubie river valley to Sospel | Road | 1607 |
The French Mercantour National Park (central area:68,500 ha + peripheral area:140,000 ha)[1] is part of the Maritime Alps as well as the Maritime Alps Natural Park, an Italian regional nature park of 28,455 ha.[2]
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