The department is geographically organized around the Moselle valley. The region was long considered a march between Alsace and the north, remaining relatively poor until the 19th century, and was consequently less urbanized and populous than other regions at the time.
The department is geographically organized around the Moselle valley The region was long considered a march between Alsace and the north remaining relatively poor until the 19th century and was consequently less urbanized and populous than other regions at the time