Common term broadly for the German lands on the west bank of the river Rhine plus adjacent areas, presently divided between the two German states North-Rhine Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. Historically, it is (in)famous for being annexed by the French during the Napoleonic Wars, then becoming a province of Prussia (this is where the expression “Watch on the Rhine” stems from), and later being de-militarized in the aftermath of WWI. It is also home to an (in)famous dish called sauerbraten.

See also:

rhineland_a_darker_world_war_ii