Rhineland-Palatinate lies in the west of Germany, amidst the Rhenish Slate Mountains. The state capital is Mainz. This is a region rich in variety, as interesting and diverse as the people who live here. The contrasts are what give this region its own unique charm: the idyllic river scenery and the unspoilt mountains, the historical towns and picturesque villages, the famous wine regions and the romantic castles.