Rheinland-Pfalz State, Germany

Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states (Bundesländer) of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of 19846km2 and about four million inhabitants. Its state capital and largest city is Mainz. Rhineland-Palatinate is located in western Germany and was formed after World War II by the French military government from parts of regions historically not belonging together. The state has developed its own identity since, built on its natural and cultural heritage of extensive winegrowing, picturesque landscapes and its many castles.HistoryThe state of Rhineland-Palatinate dates from 30 August 1946. It formed from the northern part of the French Occupation Zone, which included: parts of Bavaria (the Rhenish Palatinate) the southern parts of the Prussian Rhine Province (including the District of Birkenfeld, which formerly belonged to Oldenburg) parts of the Prussian Province of Nassau (see Hesse-Nassau) parts of Hesse-Darmstadt, Luxemburg and Belgium (Liège). Within Germany it neighbours Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Northrhine-Westphalia and the Saarland. It is the ninth largest state by area. Rhineland-Palatinate is part of the SaarLorLux euregion.