Located in the extreme south-east of France, west of the Italian border, the Alpes-Maritimes run along the Mediterranean on 77.6 mi (125 km) of coastline. The specificity of the department lies in its steep landscapes neighboring the coast and giving the impression that the Alps plunge into the sea. In the hinterland, the reliefs quickly become particularly rugged and the roads meander through the hills and mountains overlooking the sea. The Mediterranean vegetation of parasol pines, flowering laurels and aromatic plants recalls the 320 days of sunshine that the department experiences each year.