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Breisgau

Breisgau is the name of a landscape in south-west Germany, placed between the river Rhine and the foothills of the Black Forest near Freiburg im Breisgau in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, which partly consists of the Breisgau, is named after that landscape. Parts of the Breisgau are situated in the politcal districts of Freiburg im Breisgau and of Emmendingen (district).

History

In earlier times, the Breisgau was known as Breisachgau, meaning the shire around the town of Breisach.

The Breigau area was first settled by Celts, and afterwards by Alamanns. In the 12th century, Freiburg was founded by the counts of Zähringen.

Borders and area

The Breisgau includes the flat area around river Rhine, the foothills of the Black Forest and the western faces of the southern Black Forest mountains.

In the south the Breisgau borders onto the Markgräflerland, in the west onto the Sundgau (Alsace, France), in the east onto the Black Forest and in the north onto the Kaiserstuhl area.

Climate

The climate of the Breisgau is warm; in fact, it is the warmest region in Germany. The average temperature per year is 11° celsius, the average rainfall is 900 mm per m².

Agriculture

The Breisgau is known for its wine and used for fruit tree plantages and corn.

Places in the Breisgau

The by far biggest town in the Breisgau region is Freiburg. Other known places are Bad Krozingen, Staufen, Breisach, Endingen, Kenzingen and Neuenburg.

A noted mountain is the Schauinsland with 1200 m.

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