alpes-maritimes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Geographical, Administrative
Quick answer
What does “alpes-maritimes” mean?
A department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France, encompassing the French Riviera and part of the Southern Alps.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France, encompassing the French Riviera and part of the Southern Alps.
Geographically, it refers to both a coastal Mediterranean area famous for tourism (Nice, Cannes) and an inland alpine region. Administratively, it is one of France's 101 départements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Both varieties use the French name.
Connotations
Evokes the French Riviera, luxury, tourism, and alpine scenery.
Frequency
Low frequency in general English, appearing primarily in travel, geographical, or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alpes-maritimes” in a Sentence
located in + [Alpes-Maritimes]travel to + [Alpes-Maritimes]the prefecture of + [Alpes-Maritimes] is NiceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alpes-maritimes” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Alpes-Maritimes coastline is spectacular.
- An Alpes-Maritimes village.
American English
- The Alpes-Maritimes region offers diverse scenery.
- Alpes-Maritimes tourism data.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In tourism and real estate: 'Investing in property in the Alpes-Maritimes.'
Academic
In geography or European studies: 'The administrative boundaries of the Alpes-Maritimes were set in 1860.'
Everyday
In travel planning: 'We're spending a week in the Alpes-Maritimes.'
Technical
In official or administrative documents: 'The following regulations apply within the Alpes-Maritimes.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alpes-maritimes”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alpes-maritimes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alpes-maritimes”
- Writing 'Alps Maritimes' without the hyphen.
- Pronouncing 'Maritimes' as /məˈraɪtɪmz/ instead of the French approximation.
- Using a lowercase 'a' in 'Alpes'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neither a city nor a traditional region; it is an administrative department of France, roughly equivalent to a county.
The prefecture (capital) is the city of Nice.
In English, it is commonly approximated as /mærɪˈtiːm/ (ma-ri-TEEM), following a anglicised version of the French pronunciation.
Yes, in English texts, the proper noun 'Alpes-Maritimes' is used without translation, similar to 'Côte d'Azur'.
A department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France, encompassing the French Riviera and part of the Southern Alps.
Alpes-maritimes is usually formal, geographical, administrative in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From the Alps to the sea in the Alpes-Maritimes.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALPS' by the 'MARitime' coast = Alpes-Maritimes.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GATEWAY (between the high Alps and the Mediterranean Sea).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Alpes-Maritimes' specifically refer to?