It owes its name to the Moselle River, a tributary of the Rhine, which flows through its western part and passes through Metz, among other places.
Capital (préfecture): Metz.
Border areas: Borders Germany and Luxembourg (plus the French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle and a small part of the Bas-Rhin).
Characteristics: Strongly influenced by its turbulent history: between 1871-1918 and 1940-1945, (part of) the region was German → dual French-German culture, with traces of its language (French-speaking plus remnants of the Franconian dialect/Moselfränkisch), architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Major cities: Metz (Gothic cathedral), Thionville, Forbach, Sarreguemines, Saint-Avold.
Economy: Industry (formerly steel), logistics (thanks to its location), wine production (especially on the Moselle), tourism (historic forts such as Bitche, nature, Moselle Valley).
Known for: a rich heritage mix (French-German-Lorraine), proximity to the Grande Région (France-Luxembourg-Germany-Saarland), and as a transitional area between Latin and Germanic influences.
In short: a densely populated border department with a unique French-German identity, historical depth, and a strategic location in Europe.
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