Alsace

I

Introduction

Alsace administrative region and former province in north-eastern France, bordered by Germany on the north and east, by Switzerland on the south, and by the French regions of Franche-Comté and Lorraine on the west. The smallest of France’s mainland administrative regions, Alsace has a total land area of 8,280 sq km (3,197 sq mi) and comprises the departments of Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin.

II

Physical Geography

Alsace is separated from Germany on the east by the River Rhine and drained by the Mosel (known as the Moselle in France). Other waterways that flow through the region include the Ill, Lauch, and Savoureuse rivers and the Rhône-Rhine Canal. The Vosges mountains are in the east, and include the region’s highest peak, Grand Ballon (also know as Ballon de Guebwiller), which rises to a height of 1,424 m (4,672 ft). Much of the region is densely forested.

III

Population

In 2005 Alsace had around 1,817,000 inhabitants. The population density of the region is higher than the national average, with around 217 people per sq km (562 per sq mi). Strasbourg (population, 2005 estimate, 272,700) is the regional capital and largest city; Mulhouse (2005 estimate, 111,700) and Colmar (2005 estimate, 65,300) are important centres of population. Smaller towns include Haguenau (2005 estimate, 35,000); Schiltigheim (2005 estimate, 31,400); and Illkirch-Graffenstaden (2005 estimate, 25,100).

As well as being the administrative capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is also the educational and cultural centre of the region. The University of Strasbourg was founded in 1538 and reorganized as the Universities of Strasbourg I, II, and III in 1970. The European Parliament, Council of Europe, and European Court of Human Rights are all located there. The historic centre of the city, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Strasbourg (1015), was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Colmar was the birthplace of French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, and his former home has been converted into a museum dedicated to his life and work. Each Christmas, markets selling traditional local specialities—including pastries and gingerbread biscuits—are held throughout the region and the accompanying festivities attract thousands of visitors.

The official—and most widely spoken—language in Alsace is Standard French. Alsatian, an Alemannic dialect of Upper German similar to Swiss German, is the traditional language of the region and is predominantly spoken in rural areas.

IV

Economy

After Bordeaux and Burgundy, Alsace is France’s third most important winemaking region. Kirsch, a notable cherry brandy, is produced in the region. The brewing industry also makes a significant economic contribution—around half of the beer produced in France originates in Alsace. The famous brewery at Kronenbourg, on the outskirts of Strasbourg, was founded in 1664 and is the country’s leading beer producer.

Two international airports are located in Alsace. The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, which lies 20 km (12 mi) to the south of Mulhouse, is jointly operated by France, Germany, and Switzerland and handles more than 2.5 million passengers each year; Strasbourg International Airport operates flights to more than 30 destinations and handles more than 1.9 million passengers each year. A high-speed rail link between Strasbourg and Paris is under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2007. An electric tram network opened in Strasbourg in the 1990s.