Submitted by mhabich
on
The Saarland is a small federal state of Germany, located in the west of the country and forming part of the German border with France and Luxembourg. Its name is very literal - the state is formed by the territory of the Saar river basin, although not all of it, as the river starts in France and flows into the larger Moselle river in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Saarland has been heavily industrialised since the 18th century, thanks to its formerly rich coal deposits, but is now often written off as a remote postindustrial periphery. In reality, this compact state holds natural wonders and quite a bit of interesting heritage, and its location at a crossroads of European cultures makes it a worthwhile stop on your trip.