Bas-Rhin is a department which is a part of the
Grand Est region in eastern France. The name means "Lower Rhine", however, it belongs to the Upper Rhine region. It is, along with the Haut-Rhin one of the two departments of the popular and welcoming Alsace region. The prefecture city and the General Council are based in Strasbourg, which is also the official seat of the European Parliament as well as of the Council of Europe. On 1 January 2021, the departments of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin will merge into the European Collectivity of Alsace. The Rhine has always been of great historical and economic importance to the area, and it forms the eastern border of Bas-Rhin. The area is also home to some of the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. To the north lies the Palatinate forest in the German State of Rhineland-Palatinate while the German State of Baden-Württemberg lies to the east. To the south lies the department of Haut-Rhin, the town of Colmar and southern Alsace, and to the west the department of Moselle. On its south-western corner, Bas-Rhin also joins the department of Vosges.
Continental Climate
The Bas-Rhin (department number 67) has a continental-type climate, characterised by cold, dry winters and hot, stormy summers, due to the western protection provided by the Vosges. Tourism activity is intense and creates many indirect jobs. The rate of unemployment is among the lowest in France at 6.5%.
Key Information about Bas-Rhin
- Main City/Prefecture: Strasbourg
- Nearest Airport: Strasbourg Airport
- Population: Around 1.15 million (as of the latest census)
- Area: 4,755 sq. kilometres and 1,836 sq. miles
- Landmark: Strasbourg Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece and symbol of Alsace.
- Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 5 million, captivated by its Christmas markets, wine routes and historic towns.
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