Cottian Alps

Cottian Alps
French: Alpes Cottiennes; Italian: Alpi Cozie
Monte Viso in the Cottian Alps, seen from the Rocciamelone
Highest point
Peak	Monte Viso
Elevation	3,841 m (12,602 ft)
Coordinates	44°40′18″N 7°15′13″E / 44.67167°N 7.25361°E / 44.67167; 7.25361
Geography
Location
Countries	Italy and France
States/Provinces	Piedmont, Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Range coordinates	44°45′N 7°00′E / 44.75°N 7°E / 44.75; 7Coordinates: 44°45′N 7°00′E / 44.75°N 7°E / 44.75; 7
Parent range	Alps
Borders on	List Graian Alps Dauphiné Alps Provence Alps and Prealps Maritime Alps Po plain
Geology
Orogeny	Alpine orogeny

The Cottian Alps (/ˈkɒtiən ˈælps/; French: Alpes Cottiennes [alp kɔtjɛn]; Italian: Alpi Cozie [ˈalpi ˈkɔttsje]); are a mountain range in the southwestern part of the Alps. They form the border between France (Hautes-Alpes and Savoie) and Italy (Piedmont). The Fréjus Road Tunnel and Fréjus Rail Tunnel between Modane and Susa are important transportation arteries between France (Lyon, Grenoble) and Italy (Turin).

The name Cottian comes from Marcus Julius Cottius, a king of the tribes inhabiting that mountainous region in the 1st century BC. These tribes had previously opposed but later made peace with Julius Caesar. Cottius was succeeded by his son, also named Marcus Julius Cottius, who was granted the title of king by the emperor Claudius.