Ortenau

Ortenau is a region in southwest Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is centered on the Ortenaukreis district and stretches along the Upper Rhine Valley from Kehl in the north to Lahr in the south, reaching into the foothills of the Black Forest in the east. The region lies within the Freiburg administrative region and forms the western side of Baden-Württemberg. The Rhine forms the border with Alsace, France, at several points, notably near Kehl and Strasbourg.

Geography and economy: The Kinzig and other smaller rivers carve out a landscape that mixes Rhine Plain, vineyards, and forested hills. Ortenau is a major wine-producing area within the Baden wine region, with a concentration of vineyards in the Durbach and surrounding valleys. The economy likewise includes manufacturing, commerce, and tourism, with visitors drawn to wine culture, the Black Forest foothills, castles, and cross-border access to Strasbourg.

History and administration: The name derives from the medieval County of Ortenau, a territory of the Holy Roman Empire that later became part of Baden. In modern administration, Ortenaukreis was established in 1973 by merging former districts. The broader Ortenau region is sometimes used to describe adjacent municipalities associated with the district.

Notable towns and features: Offenburg is the administrative center of Ortenaukreis, while Kehl lies on the Rhine opposite Strasbourg. Other important towns include Lahr, Achern, Gengenbach, Bühl, and Rust, the latter home to Europa-Park. The region includes the Kinzig valley, the wine routes of the Durbach area, and the western edge of the Black Forest, all contributing to its tourism and cultural profile.