Alsace 26.2.1977

Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area (8,280.2 km²), and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 224 inhabitants per km² (total population in 2006: 1,815,488; 1 January 2011 estimate: 1,852,325). On 1 January 2016, the region will join Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne to create a new region, tentatively known as Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine (a name will be adopted before 1 July 2016).

Alsace is located on France's eastern border and on the west bank of the upper Rhine adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. The political status of Alsace has been heavily influenced by historical decisions, wars, and strategic politics. The political, economic and cultural capital as well as largest city of Alsace is Strasbourg. The city is the seat of several international organizations and bodies.

The historical language of Alsace is Alsatian, a Germanic (mainly Alemannic) dialect also spoken in part of Lorraine and across the Rhine, but today most Alsatians primarily speak French, the official language of France. 43% of the adult population, and 3% of those 3–17 years old, stated in 2012 that they speak Alsatian.

Thank you Merja.