Alsace is the smallest of the French regions it is made up of two departments Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin. In the north and east it borders Germany and in the south Switzerland. Alsace is a heavily forested area and enjoys a continental climate with cold dry winters and warm summers.

Although French is the principal and official language a large number of the people speak Alsatian which is a Low Alemannic German dialect. Alsace also lends its name to the German shepherd dog which was originally bred in the region.

Strasbourg the regions capital located in the east of the region is an important manufacturing area, the seat of the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights.

Alsace is also an important wine region and its vineyards grow the Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Muscat varieties of grape. Well known Alsatian cuisine includes Fois Gras which originates from Strasbourg and Choucroute a traditional dish consisting of cooked and sliced cabbage, sausages and other meats.