Gorleben is a little village in Lower Saxony in the North of Germany. It has become a symbol of resistance against the nuclear industry for the last 19 years. Gorleben is a part of Wendland, close to the river Elbe, which was the border river between East and West Germany. Wendland, during the period of division, was situated at the edge of the country, a border region with almost no industry or developed road or rail networks.
Rural structures predominate.
Due to the scarcity of industry, many organic farmers moved into this area who were very ecologically aware. They detoxified and prepared the land for many years for organic farming to produce healthy food. Several of them produce baby food. Another group with a high awareness of ecological and political problems were West Berliners who owned holiday places there. West Berlin at that time was like an island surrounded by the German Democratic Republic.