PDF download - Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar

Nature and Landscape
The two rivers Rhine and Neckar give the Metropolitan region
its name. It would be unnecessary to list the innumerable
famous myths and legends featuring the Rhine in order to
portray it as the most well-known German river. Only should
be mentioned: according to the legend of the hero Siegfried,
the dragon slayer, the Nibelungen treasure vanished in the
Rhine near Worms and has not been found to this day! A
‘must’ for treasure hunters ...
Today the Rhine is the most travelled water way of Europe
and, together with its branch the Neckar, shapes the nature
and landscape of the region. To the east and west of the
pictorial Rhineland valley rise the sloping hills of the Pfalz and
View over Heidelberg and the Neckar river
Odenwald mountains. In good weather conditions you have a wonderful view over the Rhine valley to
the opposite mountain range. Hikers need to reserve extra time when exploring the numerous and
extensive forest- and educational nature paths.
The designated national parks and protected areas as well as the man-made landscape shaped by its
viniculture are the basis for the flourishing tourism attraction of the area. This invites you to a region of
recreation and to the joys of culinary delights.
The Rhine level itself is marked, by the originally course of the Rhine, created Rhine depression, to the
natural flood area of the Rhine. Nevertheless, at the moment of the industrialisation in the 19th century
the Rhine was straightened for the navigation. Today the remained "Altrheinarme" and the resulted
quarry ponds offer many possibilities for leisure activities such as swimming, surfing, canoe go or sailings.
Die oberrheinische Tiefebene, Neustadt an der Weinstraße
The flora and fauna of the region also offer much variety. Just as the cities form their individual profiles,
the forests of the region are much different as well. The Pfälzerwald is considered to be the largest
connected forest surface in Europe and has therefore something to offer for nature lovers of all kinds.
The nature park Odenwald Bergstrasse and parts of the nature park Neckartal Odenwald have been
declared a UNESCO Geo-park. The many information location sites and the trained rangers assist to
investigate this unique landscape. And who knows, perhaps you might meet an Elwetrit, a mythical female
creature, which is at home in the Pfälzer forest.
The Metropolitan region, situated around the urban areas, is always well supplied with fresh air because
of its green spaces and SMOG is almost a foreign word.
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