Dear Jeanette, Alsace-Lorraine: a region of NE France, bounded by Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany (N and E). Alsace lies to the east of Lorraine. STRASBOURG is Alsace's leading industrial center. Most of the population speaks French, but German is also spoken, especially around Metz. Both Alsace and Lorraine were included in the HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE. Lorraine emerged as a duchy, and Alsace was divided into many fiefs and free cities by the 13th cent. France gradually acquired both regions in the 17th and 18th cent. As a result of the FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR (1870-71) much of the area was annexed to Germany and formed the imperial land of Alsace-Lorraine. After WORLD WAR I Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France, but it was again annexed (1940-45) to Germany during WORLD WAR II.