Virtually everyone knows where Strasbourg is - in France on the border with Germany. But to be geographically accurate, it stands on the Ile River near the west bank of the Rhine on the opposite side of the Franco-German border opposite the German town of Kehl. Hence the city's culture is a mix of German and French traditions.
Strasbourg is the center of the Alsace region, the prefecture of the Lower Rhine department, and the parliamentary capital of Europe. It is home to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Science Foundation and many other international institutions.
Although the city is French, its name comes from the German Straßburg - a town (or fortress) by the road. It received its present name in the 6th century. Before that, it was called in honor of the Celtic goddess of money, Argentorat. In the period of feudal states, the main transportation and trade routes from east to west passed through it, as the city had a bridge over the river.
It is difficult to say when Strasbourg was founded, but the first people lived in the area since time immemorial, even before Christ. It is known for sure that Celtic tribes settled here in the XIV century BC. Throughout its subsequent history, the city was constantly under the rule of France and Germany. And only on November 23, 1944 this dispute came to an end - Strasbourg was finally secured by France.
Today, the city's economy rests on medical technology, mobile device technology, tourism services, and creative activities. Almost the entire course of Strasbourg's history is linked to the latter. As a result, the entire city center, which is located on the island of the Ile River, is protected by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.
Strasbourg's population of 272,800 is heterogeneous. Here live and work natives of France and Germany. Therefore, on the streets of the city you can hear both French and German speech. But almost everywhere you will be understood if you communicate in English. The euro is used in the city.
