The ancient city of Nice lies nestled between the Mercantour Mountains and the Bay of Angels. Located directly on the Mediterranean Sea, the city is surrounded by the spectacular scenery typical of the Côte d’Azur region. Nice is the capital of the Riviera province and with a population of more than 340,000, is the fifth-largest city in France. In addition to picturesque landscapes, Nice enjoys a particularly mild climate and the city’s residents often boast that there are more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
Nice was originally built in the fifth century BC as a trading post for the Greek. The name Nice comes from the town’s Greek name, Nikaia, meaning victory. By the nineteenth century, Nice had been turned over to the French and soon gained prominence as a glamorous tourist resort. It became a favorite vacation spot for a number of prominent artists and writers, including Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Although no longer the busiest city in the region, Nice still boasts a vibrant urban life. In the month of February, Nice hosts the world-famous Carnival and quickly becomes overrun with giant floats, grosses têtes or large papier-mâché figures and lively outdoor parties.
Houston’s business ties to France are strong. There are 350 Houston companies with subsidiaries in France, and 87 French-owned companies in Houston. Total trade between Houston and France was valued at almost $3.1 billion in 2009.
Fast Facts:
Population: 350,000
Country: France
Continent: Europe
Latitude and Longitude: 43˚39’ N, 7˚12’E
GMT Time Difference: +1 hour
Time Difference from Houston, TX: + 7:00 hours
Distance from Houston, TX: 5400 miles/ 8690 km
Climate: Mediterranean climate. Temperatures reach up to 104˚ F during the summer months and down to 41˚F during the winter months.
Language: French
Governmental Structure: Regional assemblies with limited local power
Current Mayor: The Honorable Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice
Other Sister Cities: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laval, Canada; Hangzhou, China; Cartagena, Colombia; Libreville, Gabon; Nuremburg, Germany; Thessaloniki, Greece; Szeged, Hungary; Netanya, Israel; Cuneo, Italy; Sorrento, Italy; Kamakura, Japan; Antananarivo, Madagascar; Manila, Philippines; Gdansk, Poland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Alicante, Spain; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Cape Town, South Africa; Phuket, Thailand; Yalta, Ukraine; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Miami, Florida, USA
Additional Information:
City of Nice Website
Consulate General of France in Houston
Nice Tourism