Its built-up area has a population of about , , [ 3 ] while the greater Freiburg metropolitan area "Einzugsgebiet" has about , Freiburg is located at the southwestern foothills of the Black Forest , on the Dreisam River, a tributary of the Elz. It is Germany's southwestern- and southernmost city with a population exceeding , Its city limits reach from the Schauinsland summit 1, metres 4, ft in the Black Forest to 3 kilometres 1. The city is situated in the major wine-growing region of Baden and, together with Offenburg , serves as a tourist entry-point to the scenic Black Forest.
According to meteorological statistics, Freiburg held the all-time German temperature record of An old university town and archiepiscopal seat, it was incorporated in the early 12th century and soon became a commercial, intellectual and ecclesiastical center for the Upper Rhine region. Freiburg has a high standard of living , and is known for its advanced environmental practices, which is embodied by local housing projects such as the creation of the sustainable district of Vauban. Frei means "free", and Burg , like the modern English word " borough ", was used in those days for an incorporated city or town, usually one with some degree of autonomy.
Thus, it is likely that the name of this place means a "fortified town of free citizens". This town was strategically located at a junction of trade routes between the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea regions, and the Rhine and Danube rivers. In , Freiburg's population numbered approximately 6, people.
At the end of the thirteenth century there was a feud between the citizens of Freiburg and their lord, Count Egino II of Freiburg. The furious count called on his brother-in-law the Prince-Bishopric of Strasbourg , Conrad of Lichtenberg , for help. The bishop responded by marching with his army to Freiburg. According to an old Freiburg legend, a butcher named Hauri stabbed the Bishop of Strasbourg to death on 29 July It was a Pyrrhic victory , since henceforth the citizens of Freiburg had to pay an annual expiation of marks in silver to the count of Freiburg until In the counts of Freiburg made another failed attempt to occupy the city during a night raid.
Eventually the citizens were fed up with their lords, and in Freiburg purchased its independence from them. The city turned itself over to the protection of the Habsburgs , who allowed the city to retain a large measure of freedom. Most of the nobles of the city died in the battle of Sempach The patrician family Schnewlin took control of the city until the guildsmen revolted. The guilds became more powerful than the patricians by The silver mines in Mount Schauinsland provided an important source of capital for Freiburg.
