Geography of Riviera
Riviera, a coastal strip along the Mediterranean Sea in France, Monaco, and Italy. It is backed by ranges of the Alps and Apennines and extends some 230 miles (370 km) from Hyères, France, to La Spezia, Italy. The Riviera is one of Europe's major tourist centers. Among its many distinguishing features are magnificent sea and mountain scenery; a mild, sunny climate; and fashionable resorts, hotels, and casinos. Quaint old towns and fishing villages, a profusion of flowers, and scenic roads cut into mountainsides add to the Riviera's charm.
The French Riviera occupies the Côte d'Azur (Azure Coast), named for its blue sky and water. Cannes and Nice and the tiny country of Monaco are situated here. The Italian Riviera is divided into two parts: Riviera di Ponente (Western Riviera), west of Genoa, and Riviera di Levante (Eastern Riviera), east of Genoa. San Remo, Portofino, and Rapallo are among the many prominent resorts.