Situated in the triangle of land near Germany's borders with France and Luxembourg is Saarland, the smallest of Germany's 16 states and the bridge to its European neighbours. The regional capital, Saarbrücken, lies on the banks of the Saar, directly on the French border. The town itself and the countryside that surrounds it have a chequered and interesting past. The fascinating contrasts are what give this region its own unique charm. The River Saar is the lifeblood that runs through the region and to which it owes its name.