Definition

Proper noun: * A port city in Italy: La Spezia is the name of a specific city in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It is a major seaport on a gulf (an arm) of the Ligurian Sea and is also known as a resort destination.

Usage Notes

• "La Spezia" is a proper noun, the official name of a specific place. It is always capitalized.
• It is used to refer to the city itself, its port, or the surrounding province (Province of La Spezia).

Examples

• As a location:
  • Our cruise ship docked in La Spezia.
  • The naval base in La Spezia is historically significant.
• As a point of origin/destination:
  • We took a train from Pisa to La Spezia.
  • Many tourists use La Spezia as a base to visit the Cinque Terre.

Advanced Usage

• The Gulf of La Spezia: The body of water on which the city is located is often referred to by the city's name.
  • The Gulf of La Spezia is also known as the Bay of Poets.

Variants and Related Words

• Spezzino (adj./n.): The Italian demonym meaning "of or from La Spezia"; a male inhabitant of La Spezia.
  • He is a proud Spezzino.
• Spezzina (n.): A female inhabitant of La Spezia.

Synonyms

• Port city: (a general descriptive term, not a synonym for the name itself).

Noun

1. a port city in Liguria on an arm of the Ligurian Sea; a major seaport and year-round resort