Bas-Rhin

Département in the Alsace region of France, situated on the Rhine and the German frontier; area 4,787 sq km/1,848 sq mi; population (1999 est) 1,026,100. In the west are the Vosges Mountains, covered with forests of beech and fir trees. The central plains are very fertile, producing cereals, tobacco, hops, beets, and fruit. Livestock is also farmed. Vines are grown on the hill slopes. The département has manufacturing industries such as machinery, textiles, chemicals, and pottery. The administrative centre is Strasbourg, which houses many buildings of the European Union.

Bas-Rhin is formed from part of the former province of Alsace. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Muscat wines are produced, chiefly at Andlau, Barr, Bergbieten, and Eichoffen.