Saarbrücken

Saarbrücken (French Sarrebruck), city in south-west Germany, on the Saar River, capital of Saarland. The city is the industrial and transport centre of a great coal basin; factories here produce iron and steel, sugar, beer, pottery, optical instruments, machinery, and construction materials. Historic landmarks in the city include the stone bridge across the Saar (1546), the Gothic church of St Arnual, and an 18th-century castle. In 1815 Saarbrücken came under Prussian control, and for two periods in the 20th century (1919-1935 and 1945-1957) it became part of the Saar territory under French administration. The city suffered severe damage in World War II. Parts of Saarbrücken were flooded following record rainstorms in December 1993. Population (1990 estimate) 191,200.