Strasbourg is a city in France, the historical capital of Alsace and the prefecture of the department of the Lower Rhine. It is located on the river Il, near the left (west) bank of the Rhine River, along which crosses the border of France and Germany, opposite the German city of Cologne. The city has been recognized as the "parliamentary capital of Europe" since 1992, as it has been the seat of the Council of Europe since 1949 and the European Parliament since 1992. Borderline, Strasbourg is both a city of French and German cultures. Its event-rich history has left a unique architectural heritage. The entire city center on the island, surrounded by the Ile River, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including sites such as Strasbourg Cathedral and the Little France Quarter. Strasbourg has also become a symbol of reconciliation between France and Germany, the two European Union's founding states.
Strasbourg, not having the status of capital of the state, like Geneva and New York, is also a meeting place for international organizations and holding multinational congresses. The presence of institutions such as the National Theater and National Opera testify to the rich cultural life of the city. The University of Strasbourg is the center of gravity for students from more than hundreds of countries around the world.