Munich | Bavaria, Germany | Britannica.com Bavaria, Germany Bavaria Munich, German München , city, capital of Bavaria Land (state), southern Germany . It is Bavaria’s largest city and the third largest city in Germany (after Berlin and Hamburg ). Munich, by far the largest city in southern Germany, lies about 30 miles (50 km) north of the edge of the Alps and along the Isar River , which flows through the middle of the city. Pop. (2003 est.), 1,247,873; (2011) 1,348,335. Munich, Germany. iStockphoto/Thinkstock The twin towers of the Church of Our Lady (left) and the New Town Hall (right), Munich, Germany. iStockphoto/Thinkstock Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz History Munich, or München (“Home of the Monks”), traces its origins to the Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee, which was probably founded in 750 ce.

In 1157 Henry the Lion , duke of Bavaria, granted the monks the right to establish a market where the road from Salzburg met the Isar River. A bridge was built across the Isar the following year, and the marketplace was fortified. In 1255 Munich became the home of the Wittelsbach family, which had succeeded to the duchy of Bavaria in 1180. For more than 700 years the Wittelsbachs would be closely connected with the town’s destiny. In the early 14th century the first of the Wittelsbach line of Holy Roman emperors, Louis IV (Louis the Bavarian), expanded the town to the size at which it remained up to the end of the 18th century. Under the Bavarian elector Maximilian I (1597–1651), a powerful and effective ruler, Munich increased in wealth and size and prospered until the Thirty Years’ War .

It was occupied by the Swedes under Gustav II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus) in 1632, and in 1634 a plague epidemic resulted in the death of about one-third of its population. The third Wittelsbach who left his mark on the community was Louis I , king of Bavaria from 1825 to 1848. Louis planned and created modern Munich, and his architects established the city’s characteristic appearance in the public buildings they designed. The 19th century was Munich’s greatest period of growth and development. Protestants became citizens for the first time in what had been until then a purely Roman Catholic town. The city’s population of 100,000 in 1854 grew to 500,000 by 1900. Munich’s cultural importance in Europe was enhanced when Louis II , by his championing of the composer Richard Wagner , revived its fame as a city of music and the stage.

Similar Topics Hamburg The rule of the Wittelsbach dynasty finally ended with the abdication of Louis III in November 1918, and, in the aftermath of World War I , Munich became a hotbed of right-wing political ferment. It was in Munich that Adolf Hitler joined the Nazi Party and became its leader. The beer cellar where he held meetings that led to the Putsch (“rising”) against the Bavarian authorities in November 1923 can still be seen (see Beer Hall Putsch ). In World War II Munich suffered heavily from Allied bombing raids, which destroyed more than 40 percent of its buildings. The contemporary city In the past Munich suffered economically because of its distance from seaports and from the coal mines of the Ruhr region. But this situation improved when fuels other than coal came into general use. Munich shifted from heavy to light industry, to the manufacture, for example, of precision instruments, optical and electrical appliances, and aerospace and other high-technology products, as well as to the production of food, cosmetics, and clothing. The city has several of the largest breweries in Germany and is famous for its beer and its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Munich is a major tourist destination and a convention centre.

Book publishing and printing and television production are also important. The city is a centre of the banking and financial industry, and it has one of the largest wholesale markets in Europe for fruit, vegetables, and animal produce. Capitals & Cities: Fact or Fiction? Munich is connected by rail to all the main cities of Germany and Austria , and it is a major hub for the German and European high-speed passenger rail system. Autobahnen (expressways) from Stuttgart , Nürnberg , and Salzburg converge on the city. Franz Josef Strauss Airport, located 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Munich, opened in 1992. A modern subway has been built in the city. Watch a subway tunnel being dug for the Munich underground rail system, 2009 film. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Britannica Stories Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent The old town, clustered around the ancient crossroads of the marketplace in the Marienplatz, has increasingly become a business centre and has lost much of its ancient character.

Among the old buildings that still stand are three of the seven town gates—Karls, Sendlinger, and Isar, all dating from the 14th century. Other medieval buildings include Munich’s cathedral, the Frauenkirche ( Church of Our Lady; built 1468–88), whose massive cupola-capped towers are conspicuous landmarks; and the Old Town Hall (1470–80) in the Marienplatz. Nearby is Peterskirche (1169), Munich’s oldest church, which was completely destroyed in World War II but subsequently rebuilt in its original form. The former arsenal of the town at Jakobsplatz is now the municipal museum. The oldest of the Wittelsbach residences, the Old Court, has retained its medieval appearance. The present Residence dates from the 16th century, but the style of every period up to the 19th century was tried out on it with superb effect; the building was destroyed in World War II but has been reconstructed. Another survival from this early period is Michaelskirche (1583–97), which is considered to be the most important Renaissance church in Germany and one of the most beautiful in central Europe.

Despite these older buildings, the old town is predominantly Baroque and Rococo. Italian models inspired the late 17th-century Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church), the early 18th-century Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), and an 18th-century Marianist church, the Bürgersaal. Michaelskirche at Berg am Laim, the Asamkirche (also called St. John of Nepomuk Church), and the Cuvilliés Theatre at the Residence were completed between 1746 and 1777. The last-named structure, a magnificent Rococo theatre built for the Wittelsbach court, was destroyed in World War II, but much of its interior decoration was saved, and the theatre was reconstructed. Among the summer castles built outside the town walls are Schleissheim and Nymphenburg . The latter’s hunting lodge, the Amalienburg Pavilion, is a Rococo masterpiece. Several palaces built by the Bavarian landed gentry and court nobility at the same time also survive.

The New Town Hall (built 1867–74) was enlarged at the beginning of the 20th century. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Munich received the first great impetus to expand beyond the old town from the magnificent building program undertaken by Louis I in the 19th century. Between the Victory Gate and the Hall of Generals, he had the monumental Ludwigstrasse built, along which he constructed the state library, the Ludwigskirche, and the University of Munich . Other projects commissioned by Louis were the Königsplatz with the Glyptothek (“Sculpture Gallery”), a museum that houses a collection of ancient and modern sculpture; the Propyläen, a magnificent gateway in the style of the Propylaea at Athens; and the Alte (Old) Pinakothek , which contains one of Europe’s great collections of paintings. Louis’s son Maximilian II (reigned 1848–64) built the broad Maximilienstrasse and the Maximilianeum, which now houses the Bavarian parliament (Landtag). The Maximilianeum, Munich.

© Photos.com/Jupiterimages The University of Munich was moved from Landshut to Munich in 1826 by Louis I. Among the city’s other important educational establishments are the Technical University of Munich (founded 1868) and academies of art, music, philosophy, military studies, and film and television. Munich has long been a centre for the arts. Music, especially opera, has flourished. In addition to the Bavarian State Opera Company and the Munich Philharmonic and other orchestras, there are the Bavarian State Dramatic Company and numerous private theatres. Important libraries include the Bavarian State Library and the University Library. Munich has some outstanding museums and art galleries. The Alte Pinakothek, part of the Bavarian State Picture Galleries , houses the art treasures accumulated by the Wittelsbach family since the 16th century. Its collections of Renaissance-era German and Dutch paintings and Flemish Baroque paintings are especially strong, with many masterpieces by Albrecht Dürer , Peter Paul Rubens , and Anthony Van Dyck.

In addition to the Alte Pinakothek and the Glyptothek, there are the Neue (New) Pinakothek , which houses Munich’s main collection of 19th- and 20th-century art; the Bavarian National Museum, which contains German art and applied art since the Middle Ages; and the Residence Museum, which has paintings, sculpture, furniture, and ceramics. The Deutsches Museum , on an island in the Isar River, is a huge and comprehensive museum of science, engineering, and technology with a notable library. There are also the State Gallery of Modern Art and numerous small art galleries. In 1972 the city hosted the Olympic Summer Games. Watch surfers take to the waves in Munich’s man-made Eisbach River. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Additional Media Google Map of Munich, Bavaria, Germany - Nations Online Project Image: Thomas Wolf Satellite view is showing Munich (in German: München), Germany's third largest city and the capital of Bavaria (one of the 16 German Federal States) in Germany . The city is located in south east Germany on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps.

It is the largest city in Bavaria with a population of 1,4 million people. Predominantly spoken language is Bavarian (a German dialect). Munich is the economic and cultural center in south east Germany, it is home to the headquarters of BMW and Siemens, two giants in Germany's industry. Other household names based in Munich are Allianz (insurance), Bavaria Film (film production), Dallmayr (coffee), Lodenfrey (traditional Bavarian dress), MAN (trucks), Messe München (trade fairs organizer), Rodenstock (spectacles glasses), Roland Berger (consulting), Süddeutsche Zeitung (daily newspaper). Munich is home to Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1472. Munich points of interest: Image: Luidger The city is world famous for its Oktoberfest, a 16-day festival all about the consumption of beer, that attracts every year millions of people visiting the beer tents (In German: Bierzelte) and fairground attractions.

Other points of interest are: Hofbräuhaus am Platzl (the 3-floor beer hall is dating back to the 16th century), Nymphenburg Palace (Baroque palace), Frauenkirche (Bavarian cathedral and iconic symbol of the Bavarian capital), Bavarian National Museum (museum of art and cultural history), Alte/Neue Pinakothek (modern art museums), Museum Brandhorst (modern art collection), Ludwigstrasse (royal avenue), Deutsches Museum (the world's largest museum of science and technology). Palaces: Munich Residenz (Münchner Residenz), former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs of the House of Wittelsbach, Schloss Nymphenburg, 17th century Baroque palace used as summer residence by Bavarian monarchs. Shopping: Viktualienmarkt (farmer's market), Parks: Englischer Garten, large public park Sports: Olympiapark and Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. FC Bayern München, one of Germany's most famous football clubs is based in Munich.

Incidents: Munich gained international attentions in September 1972 with the attack by the Palestinian terrorist group 'Black September' on the Israeli Olympic team members during the 1972 Summer Olympics. The incident coined later the 'Munich massacre' took place in the Olympic Village in Munich, where Israeli athletes were taken hostage by members of the 'Palestine Liberation Organization'. One German police officer was killed during a failed rescue attempt by German authorities. In the end 17 people were dead, six Israeli coaches, five Israeli athletes, five Black September members and one West German police officer. The Olympic competition was suspended eventually, for the first time in modern Olympic history. On 22 July 2016 Ali David Sonboly, an Iranian German (18) killed 9 people at a shopping mall near Olympiapark. The Map shows a city map of Munich with expressways, main roads and streets, zoom out to find the location of Munich International Airport ( IATA code : MUC) located 35 km (22 mi) by road (via A9), northeast of Munich.

Just zoom in (+), to see Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady) at Marienplatz, Munich's famous landmark. To find a location use the form below. To view just the map, click on the "Map" button. To find a location type: street or place, city, optional: state, country. Local Time Munich: Wednsday-January-18 21:08 Standard Time Zone (CET) : UTC / GMT +1 hour CEST (Daylight Saving Time) in use from end of March until end of October. Time zone offset: UTC/GMT +2 hours φ Latitude, λ Longitude (of Map center; move the map to see coordinates): , Google Earth: Searchable map/satellite view of Munich (München). City Coordinates: 48°8′0″N 11°34′0″E Map Help [ show ] to pan the map click on the respective arrow on the pan button or click on the map and move your mouse/pointer to drag the map around (pan). to Zoom in +, or Zoom out – use the zoom buttons; or double click on the map to zoom in.

Map Type Control Buttons; To switch between various map types click on this buttons: Click the Map button for a street map, this button holds the option for Terrain, it displays a physical map with topographical details. Click the Satellite for a satellite image; with the option to switch Labels (names, borders, roads, business, etc.) on and off, for a combination of satellite image and street map. The "Pegman" symbol offers the switch to Google's street view, the 360-degree, panoramic street-level imagery. To enjoy street views, grab pegman with your cursor and hoover over the map, when street view is available parts of the map will change to blue, drop pegman there and you might have a lot of fun within unimaginable boring landscapes. One World - Nations Online .:. let's care for this planet Made to improve cross-cultural understanding, global awareness, and cultivating a cosmopolitan consciousness. Munich, Glockenspiel at Marienplatz Square, Hofbrauhaus, Germany - YouTube Munich, Glockenspiel at Marienplatz Square, Hofbrauhaus, Germany Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video?

Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jul 22, 2012 Munich, München, is the capital and the largest city of the German state of Bavaria. It is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is the third largest city in Germany, behind Berlin and Hamburg. About 1.42 million people live within the city limits. Munich was the host city of the 1972 Summer Olympics. The city's motto is "München mag Dich" (Munich likes you). Category Map of Germany, Germany Map Map of Germany Get Custom Mapping Quote +1 408 637 0064 | sales@mapsofworld.com Disclaimer × Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. Germany Map: The largest national economy in Europe, Germany is a federal parliamentary republic located in western-central part of the continent.

It is officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany and has a population of 80.9million. Airports in Germany About Map of Germany : The Federal Republic of Germany spans over 137,847 square miles of an area and is a home to almost 80,996,685 people. This Map of Germany points out the best attractions of this beautiful country - such as Frankfurt , where the world's largest book fair is held, Munich where Oktoberfest is a prime attraction, the Neuschwanstein Castle, the Cologne Cathedral, and the Dresden Frauenkirche. Germany is one of the most urbanized countries of the world. Among the important cities on the map Bonn, Frankfurt , Nurnberg, Stuttgart , Hanover, Hamburg , Bremen, and Dusseldorf stand out. The map also clearly marks out the rivers that crisscross Germany - Rhine, Ems, Wesser, Danube, Elbe, Inn, and Lech among others. This map also gives you an overview of the major road network and the important airports of the country. Know More...

History The Germanic people go all the way back to the Nordic Bronze Age or the Pre-Roman Iron Age, located in the far north of modern-day Germany and Scandinavia. In 843, Germany emerged as a separate entity from the Frankish empire. German Territories became the central part of the Holy Roman Empire in 962, and King Otto I of Germany became Roman emperor. In 1250, Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen died and the empire began to collapse, turning into independent territories rather than one central government. Later in 1438, the Habsburg dynasty was formed. The Thirty-Year's War, a war opposing Protestant princes, began in 1618 and lasted until 1648. In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished by Francis II, who then became emperor of Austria. Germany was reunified with the leadership of Otto von Bismarck in 1871. The government had an elected national parliament, the Reichstag, and a Kaiser, or emperor, who was very powerful. In 1888, when William II became emperor, Germany began its colonial expansion and military strengthening.

From 1914 to 1918, Germany played a major role in World War I, signing an armistice after their defeat in 1918, and Emperor William II was exiled. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 forced Germany to give back its colonies and pay reparations from the war. The same year, the Weimar Republic was formed with a new constitution, and during its first years, the country struggled economically. In 1923, Germany saw the rise of Adolf Hitler, who headed the National Socialist German Workers Party. After years of unemployment and depression in Germany in the late 1920s and early 1930s, Hitler became chancellor in 1933, soon proclaiming the Third Reich in 1934. During this time, the persecution of Jews began, sometimes depriving them of citizenship. From 1939 to 1945, Germany played a central role in World War II.

The genocide of millions of people (especially targeted groups like Jews, Gypsies, Slavs, homosexuals, and the disabled) occurred from 1942 to 1945, now known as the Holocaust. Germany was defeated in 1945, and the Allied Nations then divided and occupied the country. The US, French, and British divided West Germany among themselves into thirds, along with West Berlin. The western half of Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany, while the Soviets controlled the east, which they turned into the communist German Democratic Republic. The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961, physically dividing the two halves of the city. The Berlin Wall was finally torn down in 1989, and Germany began to reunify for the second time in 1990, with Berlin as the capital. The Allied and Russian forces remained in Germany until 1994. In 2002, Germany adopted the Euro as their currency, replacing the Deutsche Mark (DM). Like much of the rest of the world, Germany faced an economic recession from around 2008 to 2010. Know More...

Geography Germany (German: Deutschlandkarte ) is located in western and central Europe, and is bordered by nine countries: Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The North Sea and Baltic Sea border Germany in the north. With a total area of 357,021 square kilometers, Germany is the seventh largest country in Europe by area. Major geographic features of Germany include the Alps, where glaciers can be found, forested uplands in areas like central Germany, the Bavarian Forest and Black Forest of southern Germany, and the low-lands of northern Germany. The major rivers in Germany include the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe. Know More... Polities Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, with the president as the head of state, at the highest level of government . The second highest official is the President of the Bundestag, or parliament, who is elected by the Bundestag. The next level official is the chancellor, whose role is similar to that of a prime minister. Germany is divided into sixteen states, or lands, each with its own constitution. These states are fairly autonomous, and are subdivided in different ways because of their variations in size.

Berlin and Hamburg are city-states that are further divided into boroughs, while Bremen is a city-state that is split into two districts. The subdivisions of the states can be either area associations, government districts, administrative districts, offices, or municipalities. In all, Germany has 403 districts on the municipal level: 301 rural districts and 102 urban districts. Travel There are many places for tourists to visit throughout Germany, and options for every type of traveler. From the big cities, like Berlin and Hamburg, which have both modern and historical landmarks for sightseeing, to the many castles, the Black Forest, which is the setting for most of the fairy tales we know today, Germany offers a variety of travel options. With such a long, storied history, there are many historical monuments and destinations within Germany, like the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gates in Berlin. Munich offers great cultural experiences, beautiful architecture, natural beauty, and the world famous Oktoberfest event in the fall. Dresden, situated along the Elbe River, offers great landscapes and cathedrals and other historical buildings.

Aside from the many famous landmarks and monuments that are available in Germany, vibrant, unique cultures with their own culinary and musical specialties are found in each of the regions. Known for their liberal drinking laws and love for beer, Germany has a strong nightlife in several of its major cities like Berlin and Hamburg. Education Education in Germany is handled at the state level, thus each state has its own system. The school system begins with Kindergarten, which is optional, and is provided for children aged three to six. This is followed by Grundschule, or primary school from six to either ten or twelve. Germany has a few types of secondary schools which vary according to state. Gymnasium is a college-preparatory high school, which ends after grades twelve or thirteen. Realschule is for intermediate students, and finishes after tenth grade. Hauptschule prepares students for a vocational education, finishing after ninth or tenth grade. One path for Hauptschule can be a path leading to Realschule. Another type of school is Gesamtschule, which is a comprehensive school that uses a combination of approaches.

A reform movement in the 1960s sought to unify secondary education to make them all Gesamtschule. Know More... Those on the university-track, who have finished Gymnasium, are eligible for higher education. The universities in Germany are usually public schools with free or low-cost tuition. The university system is well regarded, with international recognition. Students on the other tracks can move on to an apprenticeship or vocational school. Dual education programs are available, which are vocational training courses alongside general education. Trivia Beer is the national alcoholic drink of Germany - German beer consumption was about 143 liters per person in 2014. There are about 1,300 beer breweries in Germany. Germany is the most populous member state in the EU. Germany has the largest economy in the EU and the fourth largest economy in the world In 1957, Germany was a founding member of the European Community, the precursor to the EU. The most common surname in Germany is Muller. Oktoberfest actually begins in September. The first printed book was in German.

ACOD~20120810 Last Updated on: September 25, 2016 Top 10 in Germany Bavarian Mint | Currency Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia The Bavarian Mint ( German : Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt) is a currently operating German mint located in Munich , the capital of Bavaria . It is currently one of several institutions throughout the eurozone permitted to produce euro coinage . History Edit The mint's mark on a 1911 coin. The Bavarian Mint, founded in 1158 , is currently considered the oldest company in Munich, having existed for over 850 years. It was initially built at the Schrannenplaz (now the Marienplaz ) and coins were authorized to be minted the year of its establishment. During the 1290s , Bavarian coins became greatly devalued due to their low silver content. In protest, a number of Bavarian citizens destroyed the coin forges at the Munich Mint and killed then-current Münzmeister , Schmiechen . Subsequently the forges were reconstructed at the Münzstraße in Berlin .

Between 1705 and 1714 , the Electorate of Bavaria became occupied by Austria as a result of the War of the Spanish Succession . During the occupation, both Austrian and Bavarian coinage was produced at the mint in Munich. In 1809 , the Bavarian Mint was moved to the Old Mint Yard at the Hofgraben and Pfisterbach. The German Empire was established in 1871 , comprising of 25 states of the former German Confederation , including the Kingdom of Bavaria . In 1873 , two years following the Second Reich's founding, all state currencies were removed from circulation and replaced by a single currency, the gold mark . The Bavarian Mint, as well as mints in Berlin , Dresden , Frankfurt , Hamburg , Hannover , Karlsruhe , Muldenhütten , and Stuttgart , were permitted to issue coinage of the mark, and to identify the location each coin was minted at, each mint was assigned its own mint mark . The mint mark assigned to the Bavarian Mint, a D, has been present on all coins produced at the facility from 1873 to the present.

During World War II , the mint was damaged multiple times as a result of a number of allied air raids between 1939 and 1945 . The allied forces occupied Germany after the Second World War had ended and took control of its mints in the process, issuing Reichsmark coins until 1949. During that year, Germany was split into the German Democratic Republic ( East Germany ) and the Federal Republic of Germany ( West Germany ), controlled respectively by the Western and Eastern allies of World War II. The Free State of Bavaria became part of Western Germany, and its mint subsequently began issuing coins for the currency reform . The mint was moved to the Zamdorf district of Munich on July 16 , 1986 , which is where it currently stands today. Germany was reunified in 1990, and the mints located in areas controlled by the Eastern allies began producing the coinage struck by the German Democratic Republic since 1949. The Bavarian Mint currently issues German euro coins, and has been doing so since 1997 . Coins and medals Edit Commemorative 2 euro coin struck at Munich.

The Bavarian Mint in Munich is currently one of the entities, along with the Berlin, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, and Stuttgart Mints, responsible for the production of general issue and commemorative German euro coins. It also currently issues coins of the Andorran Eagle bullion coin series. From the time of the mint's establishment to 1873, it was responsible for producing Bavarian coins . The Bavarian Mint then commenced striking gold mark coins in 1873, Papiermark coinage in 1915 , Rentenmark specie in 1922 , Reichsmark coins in late 1923 , and Deutsche Mark in 1949. The mint in Munich has also produced coins for Austria, Belgium , Denmark , France , Greece , Ireland , Israel , Italy , Japan , Luxembourg , Portugal , the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen , and Spain . Besides coins, medals and official seal plates have been manufactured at the Bavarian Mint. The facility was responsible for the production of the Olympic medals for the 1972 Summer Olympics , which were held in Munich that year.

Medals were subsequently made at the Bavarian Mint to commemorate the Kingdom of Bavaria, the porcelain factory at Nymphenburg Palace , and the mint itself. German States - Basic facts, photos & map of the states of Germany German States Recent History - The States of Germany post WWII The modern German states were built after World War II during the allied occupation. The states in West Germany joined and formed the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) in 1949. Only 7 of the 16 new states existed before: Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Baden and Saarland in the west, Saxony and Thuringia in Eastern Germany. All other states were amalgamations of formerly much smaller states and Prussian provinces. In 1952 three south-western states (Baden, Württemberg-Hohenzollern and Württemberg-Baden) merged to form Baden-Württemberg. Five years later, France returned the Saarland to Germany. Berlin was not a state until the German reunification on 3rd October 1990.

Berlin was under the sovereignty of the allies, USA, Great Britain, France and the Soviet-Union. There are 13 area states in Germany (Flächenländer), and 3 city states (Stadtstaaten), Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen. The latter actually consists of Bremen and Bremerhaven. Head of a state is the Ministerpräsident in the area states, and the Bürgermeister in the city states. Overview of the 16 States This is a long page, so click on a link below for a quick jump to the state you are interested in. You can always come back here using the orange arrow . Enjoy the information about the states in Germany. Size: 70,551 km² - Population: 12,494,781 - Capital: Munich Bavaria is the largest state in Germany, and one of the oldest as well. After WW II Bavaria rehabilitated from an agrarian to an industrial state. Audi, BMW, Siemens and some major insurance companies are based in Bavaria. Alpine scenery on the way to Berchtesgaden The culture of Bavaria is distinct, and Bavarians love to be different.

They are proud of their traditions, wear their Tracht (Lederhosen and Dirndl) and perform their folk music (Volksmusik) on special occasions. The most famous Volksfest in Germany, you know it, is the Octoberfest in Munich . The Catholic religion is also an important part of Bavarian culture. Bavarians are extremely proud that the former pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Alois Ratzinger) was born in their state. There are a lot of jokes about the German-Bavarian relations, some are even rather nasty. Nevertheless, Bavaria is another favourite holiday destination for Germans and international travellers around the year. After all, Bavaria has a small portion of the Alps within its territory, most enjoyed among ski enthusiasts, hikers and mountaineers. Apart from the alpine region, other favourite Bavarian tourist attractions include Munich, of course, the capital of Bavaria attracts thousands of visitors every year. Picturesque towns along the romantic road like Würzburg, Dinkelsbühl and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Franconia - the region covers most of the northern & central parts of Bavaria.

Bamberg, Nuremberg & Bayreuth are well-loved destinations, along with the above mentioned towns on the northern section of the Romantic Road. The most famous castle in Bavaria is definitely Neuschwanstein, but there are many more! Baden-Württemberg Size: 35,751 km² - Population: 10,744,383 - Capital: Stuttgart Winter in the black forest Baden-Württemberg is one of the most prosperous German states and considered one of the Four Motors of Europe. Despite world concerns like Daimler AG, SAP and Robert Bosch AG, mid-sized companies are the backbone of the economy. Citizens of Baden-Württemberg are known for being inventive and industrious. "Wir können alles, ausser Hochdeutsch" is a famous slogan to describe their unique dialect. It means we can do everything except (speaking) Standard German (of course they can). This reflects the hard-working people and their distinctive language. Swabian is my favourite dialect in Germany, although sometimes hard to understand.

Baden-Württemberg is also a popular holiday destination, attractions are Freiburg, Baden-Baden and the black forest Lake Constance The Swabian Alb Heidelberg, with the oldest university in Germany, and the famous castle is well worth a visit Tübingen and Schwäbisch Hall are beautiful old towns Hessen - Hesse Size: 21,114 km² - Population: 6,060,841 - Capital: Wiesbaden Hessen is one of the smaller German states, but a fine one. What else can I say, Hessen is where I was born and have been living all my life. It is home of the Grimm Brothers, and Hanau is the start of the German fairy tale road that goes north to Bremen. Obermarkt in Gelnhausen The Rhine-Main-area is the second-largest metropolitan region in Germany. Frankfurt is the largest city in Hesse, and the only German city with a "world city" status. Germany's busiest airport, railway station and motorway intersections are also located in Frankfurt.

Economy in Hessen is healthy, the main fields are chemical & pharmaceutical industries, and the financial centre in Frankfurt is the most important in Germany. Want to get away from the hustle and bustle? You don't have to go far. Hesse is the most wooded state in Germany. It has placid spa towns, lovely rivers & lakes, and romantic villages. Frankfurt has a picturesque old town around the Römerberg, although it is reconstructed because most parts of the city centre were destroyed during WW II Taunus, Odenwald and Spessart are beautiful mountainous areas in central Hesse, and easy to reach from Frankfurt Kassel is the major centre in north Hessen, famous for the "Documenta", an exhibition of modern art. The Documenta takes place every 5 years. North Hessen is the fairy-tale country. It was in Kassel where the Brothers Grimm collected many of their tales. Visit the Sababurg in the Reinhardswald forest, it is the home of Sleeping Beauty. If you've got some time, you can discover the country following the Grimm Trail in the Kasseler land. Gelnhausen, Büdingen, Seligenstadt are beautiful villages, to name only a few.

Here is more info to discover the best holiday regions in the southern German states. Sachsen - Saxony Size: 18,418 km² - Population: 4,183,404 - Capital: Dresden Saxony is the economical leader of the five "new" states of Germany. Silicon Saxony is not just a nickname, it is an association of nearly 300 companies in the electronics and microsystems industry, including science and consulting organisations. Bertholdsburg palace in Schleusingen, Thuringia Dresden has been known as Elb-Florenz (Florence on the river Elbe) because of its baroque architecture and art collections The Erzgebirge (Ore mountains) is famous for its wooden Christmas ornaments Saxony Switzerland is known for its rugged mountains and rock formations Thüringen - Thuringia Size: 16,172 km² - Population: 2,261,236 - Capital: Erfurt Thuringia is a state where you can delve into German culture and history. Discover towns where famous German people were born, or lived for many years.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Erfurt, Jena, Weimar), Friedrich Schiller (Weimar, Meiningen, Jena), Johann Sebastian Bach (Eisenach) and Martin Luther (Wartburg, Erfurt, Eisenach) have left their traces in Thuringia. The Rennsteig is a famous ridge walk in the Thuringian forest. At the end of the day a hearty Thuringian Bratwurst is waiting for you. Nordrhein-Westfalen - North-Rhine Westphalia Monschau in the northern Eifel region Size: 34,086 km² - Population: 17,904,653 - Capital: Düsseldorf Germany's westernmost and most populous state also includes the largest metropolitan area, the Rhine-Ruhr region. The subdivision Ruhr (Ruhrgebiet) is also known as the Ruhrpott and the Revier. Since the 19th century, coal mining and the steel industry have been the major industries for more than a century. Coal mining declined in the 1960s. Many of the industrial sites are now home to museums and event locations.

Actually, Ruhr was the European Capital of Culture 2010. Apart from industrial cities, which also have their flair and lovely surrounding, North-Rhine Wesphalia has beautiful regions to spend a holiday at. Cologne invites with its famous cathedral and unique hospitality Düsseldorf is the place if you want to go shopping Nordrhein-Westfalen shares the stunning Eifel mountains with Rhineland-Palatinate Aachen was the place of coronation of German kings during the middle ages Monschau is a picturesque village in the Eifel The Münsterland is a cycling paradise, and the Sauerland is a favourite holiday region all around the year. Rheinland-Pfalz - Rhineland-Palatinate The Mosel near Piesport Size: 19,853 km² - Population: 4,020,917 - Capital: Mainz Rhineland-Palatinate is Germany's wine state. 80 to 90 % of Germany's wine exports are grown along the rivers Rhine, Mosel and Ahr.

In the industry sector Rhineland-Palatinate is home of the largest chemical company in the world (BASF), one of the largest breweries, and car manufacturers. The most beautiful part of the middle Rhine valley is situated in Rheinland-Pfalz. Explore medieval castles overlooking the river, enjoy a wine sample tour in small villages with beautiful half-timbered houses. There is a lot to see... The Rhine Gorge between Bingen and Koblenz is an UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002 Famous castles like the Marksburg and Ehrenbreitstein Cochem, Beilstein, Bernkastel-Kues and many other villages along the Mosel Valley Eltz Castle and the Eifel mountains with the unique Maare Trier, Germany's oldest city, has fantastic buildings dating back to Roman era, more UNESCO listed site to visit Saarland Size: 2,568 km² - Population: 1,027,700 - Capital: Saarbrücken The Saarland is the smallest German state, both in area and population. The area consisted of several territories, ruled by different sovreigns for centuries.

The region became part of France during the French revolution, but only until Napoleon's defeat. 1870 the French invaded the Saar region again, this was the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War 1870/71. The back and forth continued until Saarland joined the Federal Republik of Germany in 1957. With its history, and the fact of being close to France, many people in Saarland speak French fairly good. Back to overview Holsten Tor in Lübeck Size: 15,799 km² - Population: 2,830,889 - Capital: Kiel Schleswig-Holstein is the land between the seas and the northernmost state in Germany. Bordered by the North Sea in the west, and the Baltic Sea in the east, it is the ideal holiday destination for everyone who loves to sail and surf. Agriculture, wind energy & tourismn are the main sections of the economy. Even if the weather is not perfect for a day on the beach, you can explore beautiful towns and cities like Kiel, Flensburg, Schleswig and Lübeck.

The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is a highlight on the west coast and a delight for bird watchers. The North Frisian Islands (Sylt, Amrum, Pellworm and Föhr) are favourite holiday destinations Büsum, St. Peter-Ording and Husum are lovely villages on the west coast Helgoland is a small island in the Northern Sea, about 46km off the mainland The Kiel Canal, in German known as the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, links the Northern Sea and the Baltic Sea. Here you can see really big ships floating through the landscape Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Brick gothic facade of the city hall in Stralsund Size: 23,185 km² - Population: 1,659,023 - Capital: Schwerin Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the sixth-largest state with the least population density. Economy suffered a lot after the breakdown of the former German Democratic Republic. In the past 15 years economy recovered. Biotechnology, life science, maritime industry and tourism are growing sectors.

The "land of thousand lakes" offers great holiday resorts and unspoiled nature. Favourite destinations are The old Hanseatic cities of Rostock, Schwerin, Greifswald & Stralsund with fantastic buildings in the brick gothic style. In German this is called Backsteingotik Rügen and Usedom are both beautiful islands in the Baltic Sea Kühlungsborn, Heiligendamm and Warnemünde are seaside resorts where visitors can relax and enjoy health & beauty treatment The Mecklenburg lake district with the Müritz national park is wonderful for nature enthusiasts, as well as the biosphere reserve Spree Forest. Sachsen-Anhalt - Saxony-Anhalt Castle hill & collegiate church in Quedlinburg Size: 20,447 km² - Population: 2,373,485 - Capital: Magdeburg The chemical industry plays a major role in the industrial sector, the area around Halle, Merseburg and Bitterfeld is known as the chemical triangle. The food industry counts on the best soil in Germany around Magdeburg. The oldest German chocolate factory is in Halle. The state is also famous for its Baumkuchen.

Sachsen-Anhalt shares the Harz mountains with Niedersachsen. The Harz is Germany's northernmost Mittelgebirge (low mountain range), which comprises lots of sagas and legends. Must see places include Pretty cities and towns like Wernigerode, Halberstadt and Quedlinburg Discover Dessau, the Bauhaus style & the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm Martin Luther memorial places in Wittenberg and Eisleben The Brocken, with 1141 m it is the highest mountain in the Harz Naumburg with its famous cathedral Niedersachsen - Lower Saxony Frisian coast and the islands offshore Bremen Size: 404 km² - Population: 661,166 - Capital: Bremen Although Bremen is considered a city state, it actually consists of two enclaves, Bremen and Bremerhaven. Both cities are surrounded by the state of Lower Saxony, both are located on the river Weser. Bremerhaven is an important container port and home of the German Maritime Museum. The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Freie Hansestadt Bremen) is a very old city with a long history in trading.

The Old Town (Altstadt) is the main attraction for visitors with the impressive Town Hall and the Cathedral St. Petri lining the market place. The statues of "Roland" and the "Bremer Stadtmusikanten" (from Grimm's fairy-tales) can be seen on the market square. Hamburg Hamburg Harbour Size: 755 km² - Population: 1,775,333 Hamburg's official name, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg) refers to Hamburg's status in history. The city was a member of the Hanse, and a free imperial city during the Holy Roman Empire. The port of Hamburg is the second-largest port in Europe and a major tourist attraction. The harbour area with the old warehouse district (Speicherstadt) is fascinating, the church St. Michaelis (Michel) is a famous landmark, and sure everyone knows the red-light district Reeperbahn. Berlin Size: 891 km² - Population: 3,429,525 Berlin is the capital city of Germany, and one of the 3 city states in Germany as well.

Located in the north-east, only 70 km from the Polish border, it is also Germany's largest city. Politics, culture, sports, recreation and a vibrant nightlife - you can get all that in our thriving capital. Don't miss...

Question: Munich is located in what German state?
Answer: Bavaria