Koblenz

Koblenz (German: Koblenz German pronunciation: [ˈkoːblɛnt͡s]), also spelled Coblenz (English and pre-1926 German spelling) or Coblence (French: Coblence), is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) and its monument (Emperor William I on horseback) are situated.

As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the city celebrated its 2000th anniversary in 1992.

The name Koblenz originates from Latin (ad) confluentes, confluence or "(at the) merging of rivers". Subsequently it was Covelenz and Cobelenz. In the local dialect the name is Kowelenz.

After Mainz and Ludwigshafen am Rhein, it is the third largest city in Rhineland-Palatinate, with a population of c. 106,000 (2006). Koblenz lies in the Rhineland.

History

Ancient era

Around 1000 BC, early fortifications were erected on the Festung Ehrenbreitstein hill on the opposite side of the Moselle. In 55 BC, Roman troops commanded by Julius Caesar reached the Rhine and built a bridge between Koblenz and Andernach. About 9 BC, the "Castellum apud Confluentes", was one of the military posts established by Drusus.

Koblenz, Switzerland

Koblenz (or Coblenz) is a town and municipality in the district of Zurzach in the [[canton of Aargau in Switzerland.

History

Koblenz is first mentioned in 10th or 11th Century as Confluentia, for the confluence of the Aare and Rhine rivers. In 1265 it was mentioned as Cobilz. In the Roman era a goods yard and watchtowers existed along the Rhine at this place. The remaining late Roman watchtower is listed as a heritage site of national significance. The town has been settled since the Middle Ages. The Koblenz boatmen had a monopoly over transport of goods from the then important market town of Zurzach downstream along dangerous currents of the Rhine towards Basel. With the arrival of the railway in the 19th century Koblenz and Zurzach lost this important source of income.

Geography

Koblenz has an area, as of 2009, of 4.08 square kilometers (1.58 sq mi). Of this area, 1.69 km² (0.65 sq mi) or 41.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 1.19 km² (0.46 sq mi) or 29.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.8 km² (0.31 sq mi) or 19.6% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.36 km² (0.14 sq mi) or 8.8% is either rivers or lakes and 0.02 km² (4.9 acres) or 0.5% is unproductive land.

Koblenz (disambiguation)

Koblenz is a German city situated on the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle.

Koblenz may also refer to:

See also