Alsacen

Alsacen, usually spelled Alsace in French, is a historic region in north-eastern France. The form "Alsacen" appears in some English-language texts as an older or variant spelling. It lies along the Upper Rhine, with the Vosges mountains to the west and the Rhine forming much of the border with Germany and Switzerland. The area encompasses the historic departments of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin and is within the Grand Est region since 2016. Strasbourg, the traditional capital and largest city, anchors the region, with Colmar and Mulhouse as notable centers.

Historically, Alsace has been a borderland between French and Germanic realms. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire, was ceded to France in the 17th century, then annexed by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War, and returned to France after World War I. It was annexed again during World War II and restored to France after 1945. The region retains a strong cultural imprint from both Germanic and French traditions: the Alsatian language, a Alemannic German dialect, is still spoken in some communities alongside French.

Economy and culture: Alsace is renowned for its wine production, especially white varieties grown along the Alsace Wine Route. Its cuisine reflects a blend of German and French influences, with dishes such as tarte flambée and choucroute garnie. Tourism centers on picturesque towns with timber-framed houses, vineyards, and wineries. Notable landmarks include Strasbourg Cathedral and the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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