Nice (IPA: [nis]; Niçard Occitan: Niça [classical norm] or Nissa, Italian: Nizza, Greek:Νίκαια) is a city in southern France located on the Mediterranean coast, between Marseille and Genoa, with 933,080 inhabitants in the metropolitan area at the 1999 census. The city is a major tourist centre and a leading resort on the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur). It is the historical capital city of the County of Nice.
AdministrationLocated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région, Nice is a commune and the préfecture (administrative capital) of the Alpes-Maritimes département.
ClimateNice enjoys mild and sunny weather throughout the year. Its mediterranean climate allows rather warm summers and mild winters, with temperatures rarely reaching the freezing point. Snowfall, although extremely rare, sometimes occurs.
CultureNice has a distinct culture due to its unique history. The local language Niçard (Nissart) is an Occitan dialect, still spoken by a minority. Strong Italian and (less) Corsican influences make it less unintelligible than other non-extinct Provençal dialects that exist around.
Local food culture, which includes pissaladière, a pie with onions and anchovies sauce; socca, a type of pancake made from chickpea flour; bouillabaisse and various fish soups; 'Stockfish' (traditionally pronounced as 'Stoquefiche' (French spelling) with special emphasis on the first 'e'), farcis niçois, vegetables stuffed with breadcrumbs; and salade niçoise, a tomato salad with green peppers of the 'Corne' breed, baked eggs, tuna or anchovies and olives.
In the past Nice welcomed many immigrants from Italy (who continue to make a large proportion of the population), as well as Spanish and Portuguese immigrants. However, in the past few decades immigration has been opened to include immigrants from all over the world particularly immigrants from other parts of the world, mainly former Northern and Western African colonies, as well as southeastern Asia. Traditions are still alive, especially in the folk music and the dances. The most famous is the farandole.
Places of interestNice is home of the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and EDHEC Business School.
TransportThe city is served by Côte d'Azur International Airport and has a railway station. The smaller Gare du Sud is not used any longer. The Chemins de Fer de Provence is a small rail company providing a daily train service between Nice and Digne-les-Bains. The ferry companies SNCM and Corsica Ferries operate from the Nice harbour and sail to several towns on Corsica.
Public transport within the city and to neighbouring areas is provided by the Ligne d'Azur bus company. A tramway, the Tramway de Nice, is currently under construction and is expected to begin operation in 2007.
Miscellaneous BirthsNice was the birthplace of:
Nice's town twins are:
