<P> The Rhineland (German: Rheinland, French: Rhénanie) is the name used for a loosely defined area of Western Germany along the Rhine River, chiefly its middle section . </P> <P> Historically, the Rhinelands refers (physically speaking) to a loosely defined region embracing the land on the banks of the River Rhine in Central Europe, which were settled by Ripuarian and Salian Franks and became part of Frankish Austrasia . In the High Middle Ages, numerous Imperial States along the river emerged from the former stem duchy of Lotharingia, without developing any common political or cultural identity . </P>

Where is the rhineland located on a map