Lorraine is the only French region to have borders with three other countries: Belgium (Wallonia), Luxembourg, and Germany (Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate). It also borders the French regions of Franche-Comté, Champagne-Ardenne, which were at times part of historical Lorraine Lotharingia, and Alsace, which, while still part of Lorraine's identity, is now a separate administrative region. The location of Lorraine led to it being a paramount strategic asset as the crossroads of four nations. This, along with its political alliances, marriage alliances, and the ability over the centuries to choose sides between East and West, gave it a tremendously powerful and important role in transforming all of European history, and indeed breed with royal families over all of Europe, play kingmaker, and seat rulers on the thrones of the Holy-Roman Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire Austria-Hungary, and others.

 

Most of the region forms part of the Paris Basin, with a plateau relief cut by river valleys presenting cuestas in the north-south direction. The eastern part is sharper with the Vosges Mountains. Many rivers run through Lorraine, including Moselle, Meurthe, and Meuse. Most of them are on the Rhine drainage basin.

 

The extensive iron ore and coal deposits of Lorraine led to rapid industrialization in the latter part of the 19th century, which in turn provoked strong population growth, largely through immigration. This expansion was not sustained during the first half of the 20th century, partly the consequence of the losses and expulsions of population resulting from the two world wars. Following a period of renewed growth in the early postwar years, the subsequent demise of Lorraine’s basic industries led to demographic stagnation and a large outflow of population. These trends have been only partially alleviated by attempts to reindustrialize and diversify the economy. The population is heavily concentrated along the Moselle River between Nancy and Thionville. Vosges, western Meuse, and southern Meurthe-et-Moselle départements remain largely rural.

 

Agriculture is dominated by beef and dairy cattle rising. Cereals are also cultivated (particularly wheat and barley), and rapeseed has become an increasingly important crop. Viticulture is largely limited to the area around Toul.

Although Lorraine is one of the most heavily industrialized areas of France, certain traditional activities have lost their former importance. Indeed, until the late twentieth century, Lorraine was known as an industrial region, part of a large European industrial heartland stretching over north-east France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the west of Germany. The region was home to a lot of heavy industry, notably coal, iron and steel, concentrated in particular in the departments of Meurthe et Moselle and Moselle. Cities such as Pont-à-Mousson, Thionville or Forbach were major centres in the industrial age. With the decline of rustbelt industries in France, Lorraine went through major economic and social upheavals.

 

The area of Vosges was once known for its production of textiles, but this activity, too, has declined spectacularly. However, other industries with long traditions, even if smaller in scale, have adapted better to a changed economic environment. These include glassware and crystal, food and beverage products, faience (earthenware), paper, and furniture. Industrial conversion has brought many new industries to Lorraine, including mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing, and, above all, the vehicle assembly and components industry. Much of this investment has originated from outside France (notably in Germany) and has been partly encouraged by grants from the French authorities and the European Union. Restructuring of the economy has also occurred with the development of science parks at Nancy and Metz, the two major cities of the region.

 

Service employment has increased substantially in these urban areas. Tourism is also expanding, in part as a result of the establishment of a theme park in the Moselle valley. Spas, including Contrexéville and Plombières, draw tourists as well. Domrémy-la-Pucelle is the birthplace of St. Joan of Arc and a pilgrimage site. The Vosges Mountains attract visitors interested in outdoor pursuits such as hiking and skiing.

 

Until the late twentieth century, Lorraine was known as an industrial region, part of a large European industrial heartland stretching over north-east France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the west of Germany. The region was home to a lot of heavy industry, notably coal, iron and steel, concentrated in particular in the departments of Meurthe et Moselle and Moselle. Cities such as Pont-à-Mousson, Thionville or Forbach were major centers in the industrial age. With the decline of rustbelt industries in France, Lorraine went through major economic and social upheavals. While the iron and steel industry remains the region’s biggest industrial employer, most  of the old smokestack industries have been modernized or replaced by high-tech plants, such as the Mercedes-owned Smart production line in Hambach, opened in 1997.

 

The Moselle River is canalized for large-capacity barges as far as Neuves-Maisons, and the région is well integrated in the French and European rail and motorway networks. A regional airport has been built to the south of Metz.