STRASBOURG

Strasbourg (German: Straßburg) is a city in northeastern France, situated about 400 km (250 mi) east of Paris and to the west of the Rhine River. The population is 248,712 (1982). The city, a strategic river port, is located on the east-west routes into France just north of the Vosges as well as on the north-south routes of the Rhine Valley. The traditional capital of the province of Alsace, Strasbourg was a German city for significant portions of its history.

The center of the old city has branches of the Ill River on either side. Several canals serve parts of the city and link it with the Rhine, Rhone, and Marne rivers. The eastern part of the city, with its port connections to the Rhine, is heavily industrialized. Petroleum, coal, and potash are major products shipped through the port. Beer, books, metal goods, machinery, and food are among the leading products. Germanic customs and food are common, and the city is famous for pate de foie gras.

Strasbourg's notable buildings include the famous Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, begun in the 12th century, and the Chateau des Rohans (18th century), a former palace. The University of Strasbourg was founded in 1538.

Strasbourg was originally a Celtic village and later a Roman fortification called Argentoratum. The Franks, who captured it in the 5th century, called it Strateburgum. In the 13th century it became a free imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire. Louis XIV of France seized Strasbourg in 1681.

The city was renowned in the mid-18th century for its fine porcelain and earthenware, and during the French Revolution the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise" was composed there (1792) by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle. After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) Strasbourg was ceded to Germany. The city, returned to France in 1919, was again controlled by the Germans during World War II. It has had a vulnerable location in the wars between France and Germany and was damaged considerably during World War II. Strasbourg is the seat of the Council of Europe.