Rhineland is a historic area in what is now western Germany. It lies along the Rhine River and extends west to the borders of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The Rhineland was settled during ancient times. Through the years, it was ruled by the Celts, the Romans, the Huns, and the Franks. About 800, such Rhineland cities as Cologne, Mainz, and Trier began to grow in importance. In time, they became religious and political centers of the Holy Roman Empire. The Rhineland was made part of France during the Napoleonic Wars of the late 1790’s. The region became part of the German state of Prussia in 1815.
The Rhineland’s rich mineral resources and location on the Rhine River led to the growth of important industrial centers there, including the Ruhr coal-mining district. After World War I (1914-1918), Germany signed treaties agreeing not to fortify the region or station troops there. But German troops occupied the Rhineland in 1936 and used it for military purposes during World War II (1939-1945). The area remains one of Germany’s major industrial districts. Tourists visit the Rhineland to see its picturesque towns, historic castles, and extensive vineyards.
See also Rhine River ; Ruhr .
