ALPES-MARITIMES

dpartement, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Cte-d'Azur, southeastern France, bounded northeast by Italy, south by the Mediterranean Sea, and west by the dpartements of Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. It has an area of 1,658 sq mi (4,294 sq km) and is divided into the arrondissements of Nice (the dpartement's capital) and Grasse. It was formed in 1860 out of the county of Nice (until then a possession of the House of Savoy) with the addition of the districts of Grasse (formerly in Var dpartement) and Menton (purchased from the prince of Monaco). Frontier sections ceded by Italy under the terms of the Franco-Italian peace treaty (1947) were also acquired and extended the border northward along the crest of the Maritime Alps. Alpes-Maritimes surrounds the rocky promontory of Monaco, which, with adjoining Monte-Carlo and La Condamine, forms an independent principality. Most of the dpartement consists of limestone mountains (the Maritime Alps east of the Var River and the Provence Alps west of the river), which extend to the coast in rocky headlands, including Cap (cape) Ferrat and Cap d'Antibes. The former shelters the naval base of Villefranche. The coast, from Cannes in the west to the Italian frontier on the east, has developed as the tourist region known as the French Riviera. Resorts include Nice, Cannes, Menton, Antibes, Monte-Carlo (qq.v.), Juan-les-Pins, and many other recently expanded resorts. Grasse, slightly inland, is famous for its perfumes. Agricultural activities, most of which are restricted to the narrow coastal region, include the cultivation of lavender for the perfume industry, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit orchards. Industrialization is poorly developed but includes electronics. Pop. (1982) 881,198.