Lower Saxony | state, Germany | Britannica.com Lower Saxony Germany Lower Saxony, German Niedersachsen, Land (state) of Germany . The country’s second largest state in size, Lower Saxony occupies an important band of territory across the northwestern part of the country. It is bordered by the North Sea and the German states of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg to the north and by the states of Mecklenburg–West Pomerania to the northeast, Saxony-Anhalt to the east, Thuringia and Hessen to the south, and North Rhine–Westphalia to the southwest. The Netherlands borders Lower Saxony to the west. The state of Bremen , formed by the cities of Bremerhaven (at the mouth of the Weser) and Bremen (40 miles [64 km] up the river), is an enclave within Lower Saxony. Lower Saxony was established on November 1, 1946, by the British military government, which merged the former Prussian province of Hanover with the states of Braunschweig, Oldenburg , and Schaumburg-Lippe . Its capital is Hannover . New Town Hall, Hannover, Ger.

© Bundesbildstelle/Press and Information Office of the Federal Government of Germany Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Physical features With the exception of a small highland area to the south, the landscape of the state is dominated by the great North German Plain . Much of the state’s northern half consists of sandy lowlands of heath, bog, and polder, interspersed with scattered forests. In the northwest the East Frisian Islands —12 islands in the North Sea —and about 325 square miles (840 square km) of coastal land are actually below sea level and are protected from inundation by dikes similar to those nearby in the Netherlands . More than half of Lower Saxony is drained by the Weser River and its tributaries, the Fulda and the Werra. At the mouths of the Weser and other rivers flowing into the North Sea, fertile marshes are found, mostly supporting a pasture economy. In the state’s northeastern region, there is a less-fertile area of land partly covered with forests.

This contains the Lüneburg Heath (Lüneburger Heide), which is noted for its old-fashioned red farmhouses and the ancient megalithic structures known as “graves of giants.” In the south-central part of the state are two sizable lakes: Steinhuder Lake (about 12 square miles [30 square km]) and Dümmer Lake (about 6 square miles [15 square km]). The highland area occupies the southern portions of the state and contains the Weser, Deister, and Harz mountains. The important Mittelland Canal runs east-west across the south-central part of Lower Saxony. Similar Topics Schleswig-Holstein The sandy lowlands of the north are sparsely populated in comparison with the south-central belt. The troughlike valleys of the forested southern uplands provide good-quality agricultural land, as do the foothills farther north. The latter form part of a treeless belt of rich loess soils known as the Börde , which runs in a narrow east-west zone across the state.

Lower Saxony’s climate offers mild winters, moderately warm summers, and a steady year-round rainfall ranging from 24 to 35 inches (600 to 900 mm). People The population of Lower Saxony regards itself as Low German, linked by a common ancient Saxon origin and the use of the Low German dialect known as Plattdeutsch . The latter, a dialect closely related to Dutch, Frisian, and English, is quite distinct from the official High German (see also German language ). Some regional literature is still written in this dialect, and it remains the language of the home in much of the state. About four-fifths of the population is Protestant, with a Roman Catholic minority in the state’s western part. In 1939 the population of Lower Saxony as presently defined stood at about 4.5 million. By 1946 the influx of refugees from other areas of war-torn Europe had caused an increase to about 6.2 million, despite wartime losses. By 1950 the population had reached 6.7 million.

During the 1950s more than 340,000 refugees were transferred to states of the Federal Republic of Germany that were able to offer better living conditions. Nevertheless, by the late 1990s the population was close to eight million. Recent growth is largely attributable to immigration. The major cities of Lower Saxony are Hannover , Braunschweig , Osnabrück , Oldenburg , Salzgitter , Göttingen , and Wilhelmshaven . Bronze Lion Monument on the Burgplatz, in Braunschweig, Ger. H. Krause-Willemberg/ZEFA Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent Agriculture, the traditional mainstay of the local economy, remains more important in Lower Saxony than in most other German states, with farms producing wheat , rye , oats , potatoes , sugar beets , and dairy and beef cattle . The Emsland region has endured a long struggle to drain its peat bogs. Farmers there and farther west have created new farmland by mixing the peat with underlying sand , artificial fertilizers , and manure from livestock raised on technologically advanced, capital-intensive farms.

These practices, however, have come under scrutiny because of the conditions under which the animals are raised and the impact on groundwater . World Tour Manufacturing and services now form the base of the economy, however, and Hannover and Braunschweig are major centres of diversified industries. The state’s chief manufactures include trucks and other motor vehicles, heavy machinery, rubber goods, chemicals, radio and other electronics equipment, and dyes and inks . Lower Saxony also produces small amounts of coal and oil. Lower Saxony has excellent transport facilities, and Hannover is the most important road and rail junction in northwestern Germany . The state’s importance in the regional economy of Germany was enhanced by the building of such inland waterways as the Mittelland Canal , the Dortmund-Ems Canal , and a host of others. In addition, the major rivers, notably the Weser and the Elbe , are navigable for considerable distances. Many tens of millions of tons of goods pass through the ports of Wilhelmshaven , Emden , Nordenham, and Brake each year, an indication of Lower Saxony’s importance in regional and world trade. The state’s main airport is Hannover-Langenhagen.

Mittelland Canal, west of Braunschweig, Germany A.G.E. FotoStock The governmental structure of Lower Saxony includes a prime minister , the Landtag (state parliament), a state chancellory, and several ministries. Justice is administered by means of a constitutional court, courts of appeal, regional courts, and local courts. National parks and cultural life Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The beautiful Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve attracts a considerable number of tourists. The Lower Saxony Wattenmeer (Wadden Sea) and Harz national parks also protect some of the state’s fragile ecosystems and provide recreational opportunities. In 2009 UNESCO designated the Wadden Sea tidal-flat region—which includes Lower Saxony’s Wattenmeer National Park, the Wattenmeer National Park of Schleswig-Holstein, and the Waddenzee conservation area in the Netherlands —a World Heritage site . Also of interest to visitors to Lower Saxony are the winter sports centres of the Oberharz, the most famous of which are Bad Harzburg , Hahnenklee, and Braunlage. Goslar is a picturesque old-world imperial city situated on the northern fringe of the Harz range.

In 1992 its medieval city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site , along with the nearby mines of Rammelsberg, which were the source of the city’s wealth and historical importance. In summer the extensive sand beaches and dunes along the coast are the basis of a thriving summer resort industry. In common with other German states, Lower Saxony has a lively and well-subsidized cultural life. There are state theatres at Hannover , Oldenburg , and Braunschweig . Hannover, the state’s cultural capital, boasts three other theatres , among them the Landesbühne, which gives performances in dozens of towns in the region. Other notable theatres are, in Wilhelmshaven , the Landesbühne Niedersachsen Nord; in Göttingen, the Deutsches Theater; in Hildesheim , the Stadttheater; and in Celle , the Schlosstheater, whose plays are performed in a fine Baroque building dating from 1674. In recognition of their Romanesque architecture and art, St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church in Hildesheim were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1985.

Higher education is offered by the University of Göttingen (1737), the institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science , and universities in Hannover , Braunschweig , Osnabrück, Lüneburg , Oldenburg , and Clausthal. Area 18,394 square miles (47,641 square km). Pop. (2008 est.) 7,947,244. External Links Lower Saxony travel guide - Wikitravel Population 7,987,161 Lower Saxony [1] (German: Niedersachsen [ˈniːdərˌzaksən]) is a federal state (Bundesland, plural Bundesländer) in northwestern Germany. It is the second largest state by area (47,618 km²) and fourth largest by population (nearly eight million) among the country's sixteen states. It was created after the Second World War by the occupying forces of the British; most of its territory had been the Kingdom, later Province, of Hanover.

The remaining historical portions of Lower Saxony constitute the formerly independent regions of Brunswick, Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe making the federal-state's borders a post-war creation. The name derives from the Old Saxons which inhabited the area circa 1000 AD. Historic "Upper" Saxony on the other-hand, lies further down the River Elbe in eastern Germany with Dresden as its modern day capital and should not be confused. Language[ edit ] The predominant spoken form of German taught and spoken Lower Saxony is High German or hochdeutsch. Although there are different accents in several regions and some grammatical variations are regionally widespread, the language closely follows written German and is thus easy to understand. In the north, Low German or plattdeutsch is widespread and even spoken alongside hochdeutsch, but it is not an official language. In some areas there are even different forms of plattdeutsch albeit very locally. In the north and northeast, variants of the Frisian dialects are still officially recognised and spoken by a few thousands of people. Whilst English is a compulsory foreign language for schoolchildren, many adults only have a basic knowledge of the language or are not confident enough to speak it.

In tourist areas, many of the signs are in two or more languages. The German national railway, Deutsche Bahn, use two languages on all their signs and, in long-distance trains, even the announcements are also made in English. Each state in Germany can set its own public holidays. For Lower Saxony they are: Date By air[ edit ] The most important airports are Hanover, Hamburg, Bremen and Münster/Osnabrück (FMO) in Greven (in the neighbouring state of North Rhine-Westphalia ). By rail[ edit ] The largest station in Lower Saxony is Hanover Central (Hauptbahnhof Hannover), which has hourly connexions to Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich as well as other long-distance destinations. It is on the high speed lines from Hanover to Würzburg and Hanover to Berlin ; travel times to Hamburg are also attractive. Other large regional hubs are Brunswick (regional services to East Germany and the Harz) and Göttingen (regional services to the South Harz). The two largest transport associations are GVH (Großraumverkehr Hannover) in Hanover and VRB (Verbundtarif Region Braunschweig) in Brunswick.

It should be noted that tickets for journeys within those transport association zones must be purchase before travelling as they are not available on the trains. By road[ edit ] The largest motorways (autobahnen) are the A2 running from east to west and the A2 running from north to south. The A1 in the north is also an important link. The A2 has three lanes throughout, the A1 and A7 on those sections where traffic levels are highest. In spite of that all three motorways, especially the A2, are very busy, prone to accidents and thus traffic jams. Large cities like Hanover and Brunswick have their own networks of city motorways. Important federal roads (Bundesstraßen) are the B1, B3, B4 (Harz) and B6 (Buxtehude - Celle - Hanover). Several have also been upgraded to near-motorway standard, in that they have dual carriageways each with two lanes. The density of fixed safety cameras varies from region to region, but they are especially common in the Harz even on steep section of road.

In wooded areas the risk of accidents involving wildlife is very high; wild boar in particular can cause a lot of damage to vehicles and danger to life if struck. In rural areas, straight roads with avenues of trees are also dangerous and frequently claim lives as a result of speeding or reckless overtaking. By boat[ edit ] The largest port is Hamburg which, although not part of Lower Saxony, is embedded entirely within it on the Elbe river. Get around[ edit ] There is a special ticket called the "Niedersachsen Ticket" [2] which offers unlimited travel by regional trains inside Lower Saxony area, up to Bremen and Hamburg in one day. This ticket is not valid in high speed trains (D, EC, IC, ICE) so make sure you board the right trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn, Metronom) when using this ticket. It is valid from 9am to 3am the following day during weekdays and the whole day on weekends. There are many types of tickets, the group ticket (up to 5 people, €37) and the single ticket (€21).

These tickets are also valid inside public transport network in some of the cities ( Hanover , Hamburg , Bremen , Brunswick ). Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Grünkohlessen, a typical regional dish: kale served with Pinkel, Kochwurst, Kassler and bacon Lower Saxony has a number of traditions when it comes to cuisine that are often widespread, but with local regional variations. Many of the recipes are based on local food and tend to be basic, hearty and flavoursome, rather than haute cuisine. An exception, perhaps, is Welf Pudding, a layered pudding made from milk, eggs, wine and vanilla, that was created by one of the chefs to the royal household in Hanover. Unsurprisingly fish dishes using, for example plaice, flounder and mackerel, feature strongly in the coastal region. Herring is served in various guises, popular ones being Matjeshering (soused), Brathering (fried) or Rollmops (pickled). Inland, trout (Forelle) and eels (Aale) are popular. As elsewhere in Germany, pork is the most form of popular meat, with beef a poor second and lamb rarely seen.

There are the inevitable regional types of pre-cooked sausage (Kochwurst) which is very popular in the Lüneburg Heath, the Bremen area and Schaumburg Land; local varieties include Bregenwurst, Kohlwurst, Pinkelwurst. Other meat dishes from that area are Knipp a kind of smoked sausage, venison, wild boar and hare. Another heath speciality are Heidschnucken dishes created using mutton from the local moorland sheep. Two specialities from the Hanover region are Schlachteplatte, a dish of assorted meat, and the Calenberger Pfannenschlag (also known as Rinderwurst, a beef sausage). The internationally known Braunschweiger sausage presumably originates from Brunswick. Around Gifhorn and Wolfsburg a form of black pudding called Pottwurst, served with Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage), is popular in the autumn. The most common accompaniment is the humble potato, boiled potatoes (Salzkartoffeln) being by far the most common. Another popular vegetable, very typical of the area, is Grünkohl (kale), sometimes known as Braunkohl especially in Bremen and Brunswick Land.

Asparagus (Spargel) is eaten as a great delicacy in Lower Saxony. It is grown mainly around the towns of Burgdorf, Nienburg, Brunswick and in the Oldenburg Münsterland as well as the southern part of the Lüneburg Heath and on the Stade Geest. Soup is a common form of starter. Particularly popular is Hochzeitssuppe ("wedding soup"), a meat broth. On the North Sea coast there a plant called arrowgrass, known locally as Stranddreizack or Röhrkohl, grows in salt meadows immediately by the coast and is prepared, like Grünkohl, as a thick stew. Other country dishes in the coastal region are Steckrübeneintopf and Birnen, Bohnen und Speck, both types of stew. The Germans are great cake eaters, popular regional varieties being butter cakes (Butterkuchen) and, around the Lüneburg Heath, Buchweizentorte (buckwheat cake) which is like a gateau and very tasty.

Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] East Frisian tea Lower Saxony is home to many breweries, for example in Jever , Einbeck , Celle , Lüneburg , Brunswick , Allersheim (part of Holzminden ), Hanover , Wittingen , Peine and Göttingen . Two of the oldest beers, brewed since the Middle Ages, are Braunschweiger Mumme and Goslarer Gose. In general the Lower Saxons prefer coffee to tea, except in the regions of East Frisia and Friesland where tea is popular and often drunk with Kluntjes (rock candy) and cream. Lower Saxony - Germanfoods.org for german speaking exporters Lower Saxony Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is Germany’s second largest state, stretching from the North Sea to the Harz Mountains. Close to 8 million Germans call this state their home, and every year millions of tourists flock to the beaches and islands along the state’s North Sea coast to seek rest and recreation. The seven inhabited East Frisian islands (Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeook, Spiekeroog, Wangerooge) are the main tourist destinations.

Other popular locations in Lower Saxony include the Wattenmeer, which is the vast coastal area of wetlands, salt marshes and dunes, as well as Germany’s oldest nature park, Lüneburger Heide, a serene heathland and dotted with herds of an old breed of sheep called Heidschnucken. The Steinhude Lake Nature Reserve offers great scenic diversity and a wide range of water sports on the largest lake in northwest Germany. The idyllic forests of the Harz Mountains also enjoy great popularity among nature lovers and hikers. Lower Saxony’s capital Hanover looks back on a long history as a city of international importance. The sphere of influence of the Royal House of Hanover was greatest between 1714 and 1837 when Hanover’s rulers also acted as kings of England. Today the city enjoys a great reputation as one of the major trade fair hubs. In 2000, Hanover Fair hosted the World Exposition EXPO2000. Each year in spring, Hanover Fair hosts CeBIT, the largest annual IT trade show.

Another modern tourist attraction and a must-see for the serious German car enthusiast is “Autostadt.” This combination of museum, theme park and customer service center is conveniently located near the Volkswagen manufacturing plant near the city of Wolfsburg. The city of Göttingen is Lower Saxony’s academic center and home to Georgia Augusta University which was founded in 1734. This prestigious university counts more than 40 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and faculty. Lower Saxony’s meat industry is an important sector of the state’s economy, with businesses from smaller family-owned companies to large meat processing facilities. Some of the brands available in the US originate in Lower Saxony, such as Abraham hams and Meica sausages. Farmers in Lower Saxony grow a wide variety of crops, chief among them sugar beets and various grains in the state’s Southern part. The sandy ground of the Lüneburg heathlands provides perfect soil for asparagus and potatoes and the coastal area is one of Germany’s prime cattle-raising regions but is also known for its fruit orchards. The quintessential crop of Germany’s Northeast, however, remains kale (Grünkohl or Braunkohl).

Lower Saxon Lore and Legends As is true for many German states and regions, Lower Saxony boasts of a great wealth of local lore and legends, some of which have become known all over the world. The following is but a glimpse into this fascinating world where history, folklore and storytelling meet. Walpurgis Night The night of April 30, May Day eve, is known as Walpurgisnacht (or Hexennacht, meaning Witches Night) in Germany. It is said to be the night when witches greet the arrival of spring by holding a large gathering on the Brocken Mountain (Blocksberg ), the highest elevation in the Harz Mountains. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe pays tribute to this legendary celebration in his tragic play “Faust.” In parts of northern coastal regions of Germany, the custom of lighting huge bonfires is still kept alive, to celebrate the coming of May, while most parts of Germany have a derived Christianized custom around Easter called “Easter fires.” The Pied Piper of Hamelin The story of the Pied Piper is known the world over and is said to have taken place in the year 1284 in the town of Hamelin (Hameln in German).

This picturesque city situated along the river Weser had become prosperous thanks to the grain trade but had fallen prey to a plague of rats. When a strange man appeared one day who promised to get rid of the rodents, the townsmen quickly struck a deal with him. Using his pipe-playing skills the stranger lured away the rats and caused them to drown in the river. The deal went sour, however, when the town refused to honor their promise. To teach the people of Hamelin a lesson the Pied Piper took with him the town’s most precious resource, the children and thus its future. While there is evidence that parts of the story of the Pied Piper are rooted in historical events, the character itself seems to be legend. Hamelin is most likely the only place where you will be able to find “rat tails” local restaurant menus. Not to worry, though, the ingredients are strictly conventional and the recipe does not require any rodent parts… Baron Münchhausen The tall tales surrounding a character named Baron Münchausen are based on a real person who was born in Lower Saxony (Bodenwerde) in 1720. Hieronymus Karl Friedrich von Münchhausen was a self-declared adventurer and daredevil.

After reportedly fighting in several wars, he retired at the young age of 30 and resorted to storytelling and hunting. The 1780s saw the publication of increasingly exaggerated stories and anecdotes about his life in both English and German. Wilhelm Busch Another famous Lower Saxon is the German poet, artist and satirist Wilhelm Busch (1832-1908) whose widely popular illustrated stories make him one of the founding fathers of the genre of satirical comic strips and cartoons. Max & Moritz, one of his first illustrated stories, was published in 1865, became a huge success and is still popular today. These severely moralistic tales about two trouble-making boys had a direct influence on the American comic strip. Food and drink played a significant role in Wilhelm Busch’s life as well as in his work. Busch was the eldest of seven children born into a family of modest means. Their father was a grocer in the village of Wiedensahl near Hanover. A life-long bachelor, Wilhelm Busch usually lived on simple fair, bread and sausages mostly, but was very appreciative of cooking skills and culinary specialties.

He dedicated rhymes or even entire poems to food and its preparation. Culinary Lower Saxony Lower Saxony is well-known for its gourmet food and culinary delicacies. The culinary range of Niedersachsen’s regions offers something to please every palate – from traditional rustic dishes like roast mutton from the heath region, hearty cheese from the Harz mountains or kale with Pinkel sausage to delicious fresh asparagus or a vast variety of prawns, shellfish and fresh fish along the coast. Every region has its own characteristic specialties and flavors. Following is only a small sample of the culinary treasures Lower Saxony offers. Bahlsen: How a Cookie from Lower Saxony Conquered the World A product presented at the 1893 World Exhibition in Chicago was to become one of Germany’s most well-known branded food products — the Leibniz Keks. The entrepreneurial muse took hold of Hermann Bahlsen when he was working in the sugar trade in Great Britain. He returned to Germany, more precisely to Hanover and, in 1889, founded the “Hannoversche Cakesfabrik H.

Bahlsen.” Two years later, he came up with a new type of butter cookie which he christened “Leibniz cakes” in 1892 in honor of Hanover’s best-known son, the brilliant philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716). From the outset Bahlsen was thinking globally and granted licenses in North America and Moscow early on. He proved to be a pioneer for the food industry in many other ways. Whereas his competitors were still selling their products unwrapped, in 1898 Hermann Bahlsen started packaging his product in airtight bags and from 1904 onward the company used a box to protect its popular cookie product from moisture and other detrimental factors. This innovation allowed the rectangular Leibniz cookie with its distinctive jagged edge to remain neat, crisp and easy to carry. The product soon became commonly known as “Reisekeks” (travel cookie). In 1905 Bahlsen’s pioneering spirit again got the better of him when Bahlsen was among the first manufacturers in Europe to use conveyor belts to expedite the packaging of his baked goods.

Hermann Bahlsen’s creative business idea to use the English word ‘cakes’ to describe his cookies quickly became part of everyday language. Over time the word was Germanized to “Keks” which was officially adopted into standard German when the word made it into the 1911 edition of the prestigious DUDEN dictionary. Though many companies have tried to imitate Bahlsen’s butter cookie, the Leibniz cookie remains virtually unchallenged as the quintessential cookie in its category. The cookie owes its unrivaled fame to the quality of the original recipe and the company’s masterful marketing. Today the company exports its baked goods to more than 80 countries all over the world. Leibniz cookies are a main ingredient in a classic German party recipe known as “Kalter Hund” (cold dog) or “Kalte Schnauze” (cold snout). Let two students of German show you how to make this dish which looks like a cake but does not require any baking in their lighthearted video .

Tea Time in East Frisia (Ostfriesland) While coffee is the number one hot beverage of choice in most of Germany, tea reigns supreme in East Frisia, the country’s extreme Northwestern corner. The inhabitants of this sparsely populated corner (Ostfriesen) consume a whopping quarter of all German tea imports, and rival the per capita consumption in the tea nation Britain. In fact, historically, East Frisian tea culture precedes the British custom of tea time by some decades. Following the arrival of the first shipment of tea to Europe in 1610, it took some time for the new drink to gain some ground since beer was consumed with any and all meals, even breakfast. The arrival of tea and coffee changed this, with poorer people preferring the more economical beverage of tea over coffee. Black tea was usually chosen over the more pricey green tea for the same reason. Tea soon became the preferred beverage to be consumed at all times of day, usually served with plenty of sugar which provided the necessary calories. Black tea also had the advantage that the leaves could be used to brew several pots of tea, again in an effort to get the most out of it.

Exception has always been made for guests, of course, who always should be served the first pouring of freshly made tea. To this day, strong black tea is served to visitors of an East Frisian home or gathering. The traditional preparation of East Frisian tea is a well-defined ritual: First a piece of rock candy sugar called Kluntjes is placed in typically small cups made from delicate China (the traditional East Frisian decoration is a specific rose design). The freshly brewed hot tea (steeped for at least three minutes) is then poured on top of the sugar which produces a distinct crackling sound. The rock sugar will melt slowly which allows multiple cups to be sweetened with the same piece. In a last step spoon of heavy cream is added by letting it drip slowly from the spoon to the wall o the cup. The cream then sinks to the bottom of the cup only to form a cloud on the surface. The most important rule is to never stir the tea which produces three layers of flavor. First you will predominantly taste the cream, then the tea will unfold its flavor and with the Kluntje at the bottom of the cup providing a sweet finish.

Tea in East Frisia is usually served with small cookies or slices of cake as a special treat on weekends or special occasions. Kale Stew with Pinkel Sausage (Grünkohl mit Pinkel) Grünkohl mit Pinkel , sometimes also called Braunkohl mit Pinkel (especially in the area around Bremen) is a beloved dish among Northern Germans. It is a hearty stew made from kale, smoked sausages called Pinkel and other pork products. Kale made its way to Northern Germany from the Mediterranean and has since become a staple few Northerners could do without. Kale is best harvested after some days of frost which helps turn the plant’s starch to sugar, giving the dish a subtle sweet flavor. This robust stew requires a slow cooking process with several hours of simmering time. People in the region between the rivers Ems and Elbe long for kale season which lasts roughly from November to March. During this season it is a much-observed custom among friends, family and work mates to go on kale outings which usually involve a long, brisk walk to the local restaurant of choice.

The oddly sounding Pinkel is a smoked sausage made with pork, groats (oats and barley), suet, onions, salt, pepper, pork fat, bacon and other spices. The casing is traditionally taken from the end of a cow’s large intestine, which is also referred to as Pinkel. The exact recipe differs from sausage maker to sausage maker, who keep their individual recipes secret! The German stew recipe also usually calls for a type of scalded sausage (Kochmettwurst) and a specific kind of cured smoked pork (Kassler). Since it is hard to find the exact equivalent meat products in North America, we have adapted the recipe to reflect ingredients which are more commonly available in supermarkets and gourmet grocery stores. In our store generator you may be able to find local delis which might carry some of these special German meat products. Smoked Fish While smoking meat and fish has been used for ages as a form of conservation, today this curing method is mostly used for the sake of flavor. The freshly caught fish are gutted, washed and cleaned. In a next step the fish is salted thoroughly, spices and herbs are sometimes used at this stage.

After rinsing them again the first step in the smoking process involves high heat for a brief period to ensure that any parasites are destroyed and to start the curing process. The next step establishes two basic methods of smoking used in Germany for curing fish or meat. Cold smoking is the older and bz far more time-consuming process which takes two to four days and uses temperatures not to exceed 30° C (86° F). The method of hot smoking is much more widespread and takes temperatures of over 60° C (140° F) and a curing tie anywhere from several minutes to two hours. The area best-known for its smoked eel is the region around Lower Saxony’s biggest lakes, Steinhuder Meer and Zwischenahner Meer. Freshly smoked eels are best enjoyed with a small glass of Korn. Cheese from the Harz region (Harzer Käse) Cheese from the mountainous Harz region (Harzer Käse, Harzer Roller) is one of the oldest types of cheese. It is made from sour milk and the majority is left plain, producing a golden yellow cheese strong in odor and pungent in flavor.

Other popular varieties of this local cheese specialty involve treatment with mold cultures (Schimmelkäse with its characteristic white coating) or the addition of caraway (Kümmel) to the cheese’s outer layer. Traditionally, Harzer cheese was made at home in small batches and shaped by hand, hence the names Bauernhandkäse (farmer’s hand cheese) or simply Handkäse (hand cheese). Harzer cheese is naturally low in fat (below 1%), high in protein (about 30 %) and contains important minerals and vitamins. Traditionally the cheese is served with dark wholegrain bread or “mit Musik” (with music) which in the Harz region means in a dressing of oil, vinegar, onions and pepper. Schnaps, Korn The distillation of grain-based spirits began in the 15th century, with the first written record of this tradition dating from 1507. The popularity of this powerful beverage spread so quickly that it became necessary to contain the distillation of grains in times of famine. A comparatively young purity law from 1909 decrees that Korn only be made from pure wheat, buckwheat, rye, barley or oats.

The only other ingredients used in the production are malt and yeast for the fermentation process. By distilling it twice the result is a refined spirit, which is then diluted with water to the desired strength — 32 vol. % for regular-strength Korn, 38% for Doppelkorn. Grain spirits which have been allowed to mature in wooden casks for six months or longer may be called Edelkorn or Altkorn. The ideal way of enjoying Korn is at a temperature slighltly above freezing and the preferred drinking method among grain spirit aficionados is to sip it slowly. Lüttje Lage is the name of a drink that involves Korn and a small glass of beer which are supposed to be consumed simultaneously by holding both glasses in the same hand and by pouring their contents into one’s mouth in one single movement. The Beer Town of Einbeck Even though beer is commonly associated with Bavaria and its iconic Hofbräuhaus in Munich, the ubiquitous German beverage originated in Lower Saxony. The small town of Einbeck in the Southern part of the state is proud of its long tradition of beer brewing which goes back over 600 years.

A treasured document from these early days of the brewing tradition is the oldest surviving receipt for beer which records the purchase of two tons of beer by the Duke of Saxony and Lüneburg and is dated 1378. As early as the end of the 15th century, the town’s beer brewing fame had spread far and the brewers started exporting their celebrated beverage via the Hanseatic port cities of Lübeck and Hamburg to Amsterdam and Utrecht and as far as Riga and Stockholml. In the mid-1500s the dukes in Munich started enjoying the alcoholic beverage brought in from the North. In 1612 the newly constructed Hofbräuhaus recruited a master brewer from Einbeck who brought with him the Lower Saxon recipe for beer. Lower Saxony, Hamburg & Bremen Travel Guide - Germany - Eupedia Eupedia Home > Germany Travel Guide > Lower Saxony, Hamburg & Bremen Lower Saxony, Hamburg & Bremen Travel Guide Illuminated Statue of Roland in Bremen.

Introduction The modern state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen in German) was formed out of the historic Kingdom of Hanover, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Duchy of Brunswick and Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe. It is second largest and fourth most populous of the sixteen states of Germany. It is also the least densely populated state in West Germany. The city states of Hamburg and Bremen, in contrast, are the two smallest states. Bremen is by far the least populous, with only 547,000 inhabitants, a bit more than Luxembourg. Hamburg, Germany's second biggest city after Berlin, has 1.8 million people. Hamburg and Bremen are respectively the two richest German Länder in terms of GDP per capita. Altogether, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Bremen have a population of 10,260,000 (similar to Belgium or the Czech Republic) and a land area of 48,700,000 km² (comparable to Slovakia).

Famous people from Lower Saxony include (chronologically): the astronomer William Herschel, the poet Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel, the mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, the chemist Robert Bunsen, the inventor and industrialist Werner von Siemens, the caricaturist and painter Wilhelm Busch, the entrepreneur Dr. August Oetker, and the model and actress Diane Kruger. Famous people from Hamburg include: the composer Felix Mendelssohn, the composer Johannes Brahms, the physicist Heinrich Hertz, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Gustav Ludwig Hertz, the physicist and inventor Manfred von Ardenne, Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, the fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, and Chancellor Angela Merkel. Attractions Attractions are listed geographically, from west to east (left to right) and north to south (top to bottom). West Travel Destination Lower Saxony Germany Economic power house East Frisia A mesmerizing region that draws visitors into its ban is found in East Frisia or Ostfriesland. A vast flat plain stretches in the northeast. Primarily used as farmland eyes catch lazy grazing cows as far as they can see. Small picturesque villages and farmhouses add to the scene.

A view, that familiarizes with the main economic source cattle farming. Soon the plain extends into Frisian coastal scenery at the North Sea. Separated by mudflats, seven islands follow the coastline. The Frisian Islands Juist, Norderney, Langeoog, Baltrum, Borkum, Spiekeroog, Wangerooge are recognized health resorts and are part of the protected Wattenmeer National Park between the Ems river and Elbe river. Lüneburg Heath Nature Park, Nature Park South Heath A very own attraction presents the Lüneburg Heath Nature Pak or Naturschutzpark Lüneburger Heide. Common heather covers the largest German heathland are. In late summer the blooming shrubs colour the hills in mauve. The Heidschnucken, a breed of sheep, manage the grazing resistant shrub. Together their captivate charm appeals to holiday-maker. Once, in medieval times the area around Lüneburg was covered in forests and swamps. Mining salt and trading salt brought wealth. Side effects were extensive tree logging to lit fires for salt production and overgrazing through farm animals. Over time the appearance around Lüneburg changed and heather replaced the forest.

Harz National Park in the south west of Lower Saxony Germany The Harz Mountain is part of German’s central highlands. Thuringia borders to the south. To the east the Harz extends to Saxony-Anhalt. Historic significance followed silver findings. Recognition by UNESCO as one of the World Cultural Heritages received the Rammelsberg Mine in Goslar. Upper Harz and Lower Harz make up the Harz. Distinct to the Upper Harz are fir forests on a higher altitude than the Lower Harz. There meadows alternate with deciduous forests. The Harz National Park offers a walking and cross country paradise with 8.000 km paths and 500 km trails on more than 2,200 square kilometres. Economic Power House of Lower Saxony Germany Five cities north of the Harz Mountain hold the highest concentration of economic power in Lower Saxony Germany: Hannover hosts internationally to the largest trade fairs Salzgitter with its steel centre Brunswick or Braunschweig, is the heart of science and research Hildesheim trade and religion shaped the city; The UNESCO World Heritage list included the city’s St.

Michaels Church Buy This Allposters.com Wolfsburg, the largest privately owned automobile manufacturer of Volkswagen A state filled with natural protected gems in varying settings from coast, plains, heathland to highlands, mixed with a wealth of legends and history have many reasons to further explore the state of Lower Saxony Germany. Are you travelling German Cities? Share your City travel experiences! Personalize your page within German-Cities.com with up to four photos! Your Title Niedersachsen - Profile of the German Federal State Niedersachsen Calenberger Land, view from Deister (hill). - Image: Uckermaerker A virtual guide to the German Federal State of Lower-Saxony (in German: Niedersachsen). Beside a state profile, this page offers links to sources that provide you with information about this "Bundesland", e.g.: official web sites, local news, culture, history, education, city- and country guides with travel and visitors information, tourist attractions, events and much more.

Niedersachsen, Lower-Saxony Flag of the State of Niedersachsen Time zone: Central European Time (CET); Central European Summer Time (CEST) (UTC+1/+2) Capital City: Hannover (pop. 500.000) Other Cities: Braunschweig (Brunswick), Cuxhaven, Emden, Göttingen, Hildesheim, Lüneburg, Osnabrück, Oldenburg, Salzgitter, Wilhelmshaven, Wolfsburg. Geography: Location: north-western Germany bordering the North Sea in north and The Netherlands in west. Area : 47 618 km² (18 388 sq mi) Climate: Maritime - continental. Religions: 46.8% Protestants, 28.1% Roman Catholic. Languages : Sater Frisian, Low German (Plattdeutsch) Natural resources: Lignite, natural gas, crude oil, marine products, peat. Agriculture products: Dairy products, livestock, horses, grain, potatoes. Industries: Vehicle construction, carbon fibre reinforced plastics, shipbuilding, wind power.

biotechnology Lower-Saxony is located in north-western Germany and is the second largest federal state in area. It borders (starting north and clockwise) the North Sea, the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein , Hamburg , Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , Brandenburg , Saxony-Anhalt , Thuringia , Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia , and shares an international border with the Kingdom of the Netherlands . The federal state of Bremen forms two enclaves (Bremen and Bremerhaven) within Lower Saxony. Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of Niedersachsen Countryside Lower Saxony Nature Germany - YouTube Countryside Lower Saxony Nature 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 Aug 16, 2014 Countryside Lower Saxony Nature Germany Lower Saxony (German: Niedersachsen [ˈniːdɐzaksən], Low German: Neddersassen) is a German state (Bundesland) situated in northwestern Germany and is second in area, with 47,624 square kilometres (18,388 sq mi), and fourth in population (8 million) among the sixteen Länder of Germany. In rural areas Northern Low Saxon, a dialect of Low German, and Saterland Frisian, a variety of East Frisian, are still spoken, but the number of speakers is declining. Lower Saxony borders on (from north and clockwise) the North Sea, the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Netherlands. Furthermore, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen forms two enclaves within Lower Saxony, one being the city of Bremen, the other, its seaport city of Bremerhaven.

In fact, Lower Saxony borders more neighbours than any other single Bundesland. The state's principal cities include the state capital Hanover, Brunswick, Lüneburg, Osnabrück, Oldenburg, Hildesheim, Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg and Göttingen. The northwestern area of Lower Saxony, which lies on the coast of the North Sea, is called East Frisia and the seven East Frisian Islands offshore are popular with tourists. In the extreme west of Lower Saxony is the Emsland, a traditionally poor and sparsely populated area, once dominated by inaccessible swamps. The northern half of Lower Saxony, also known as the North German Plains, is almost invariably flat except for the gentle hills around the Bremen geestland. Towards the south and southwest lie the northern parts of the German Central Uplands: the Weser Uplands and the Harz mountains. Between these two lie the Lower Saxon Hills, a range of low ridges. Thus, Lower Saxony is the only Bundesland that encompasses both maritime and mountainous areas.

Lower Saxony's major cities and economic centres are mainly situated in its central and southern parts, namely Hanover, Brunswick, Osnabrück, Wolfsburg, Salzgitter, Hildesheim and Göttingen. Oldenburg, near the northwestern coastline, is another economic centre. The region in the northeast is called the Lüneburg Heath (Lüneburger Heide), the largest heathland area of Germany and in medieval times wealthy due to salt mining and salt trade, as well as to a lesser degree the exploitation of its peat bogs up until about the 1960s. To the north, the Elbe river separates Lower Saxony from Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg. The banks just south of the Elbe are known as Altes Land (Old Country). Due to its gentle local climate and fertile soil it is the state's largest area of fruit farming, its chief produce being apples. Most of the state's territory was part of the historic Kingdom of Hanover; the state of Lower Saxony has adopted the coat of arms and other symbols of the former kingdom.

It was created by the merger of the State of Hanover with several smaller states in 1946. Hannover | Germany | Britannica.com Hannover Hannover, English Hanover, city , capital of Lower Saxony Land (state), northwestern Germany . It lies on the Leine River and the Mittelland Canal , where the spurs of the Harz Mountains meet the wide North German Plain . Train station and Christmas market, Hannover, Ger. Courtesy, Hannover Tourismus GmbH First mentioned in documents in 1100, Hannover was chartered in 1241 and joined the Hanseatic League in 1386. From 1495 it belonged to the Calenberg-Celle line of the house of Welf , whose seat it was from 1636. In 1714 George Louis of that house became George I of Great Britain. From 1815 to 1866 the city was capital of the kingdom of Hanover , but in 1866 it was annexed by Prussia; it later became the capital of Hanover province and, in 1946, of Lower Saxony.

During World War II about three-fifths of Hannover was destroyed, but on the ruins arose a planned, modern, and highly industrialized city. Hannover is one of the most important traffic junctions in northern Germany and is linked to Berlin by rail, expressway , and air. It is a financial, administrative, and commercial centre with highly diversified industries, including the manufacture of motor vehicles, machinery, synthetic rubber, electrical engineering equipment, electronics products, chemicals, and foodstuffs. The German Industries Fair (first held in Hannover in 1947), now called Hannover Fair, has had great influence on the city’s postwar development. In 2000 the city hosted the world’s fair (Expo 2000).

Despite Hannover’s reputation as a highly industrialized city, post-World War II planning preserved parks, public gardens, and woods, earning Hannover a reputation as the “garden city”; notable are the Great Garden (laid out in the 17th century in geometric fashion), the great Hannover woods (Eilenriede), the Maschsee (an artificial lake), the Hermann-Löns Park, the Stadtpark, and the zoological gardens . Most of the city’s historic buildings were destroyed or severely damaged in World War II; those that could not be rebuilt include the old palace (1752) and the old chancellery (1550).

Reconstructed buildings include the old town hall (1435–80), the Leibniz House (1652), where the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz lived from 1676 to 1716, the opera house (1842–52), the Marktkirche (Market Church; 1349–59), the Neustädter Church (which contains the tomb of Leibniz), and the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross; 1333). The ruined Sankt Giles’s (or Aegidienkirche) Church (1347) remains as a memorial to war victims. New government offices have been built around the old Leine Palace (1636–40, rebuilt 1817–42), the former residence of the Hanoverian court, which was restored and is now the home of the Diet (Legislature) of Lower Saxony.

Rebuilt museums include the Lower Saxony State Museum, with natural-history, prehistory, and ethnology departments and an extensive picture gallery; and the Kestner-Museum, with Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Cypriot, and Etruscan antiquities and medieval ecclesiastical art. The Wilhelm Busch Museum specializes in caricatures . The city is the seat of the University of Hannover (established in 1831), a school of veterinary medicine, and other colleges. Pop. (2003 est.) city, 516,160; (2000 est.) urban aggl., 1,283,000. Aerial view of Hannover, Ger., showing the old town hall (1435–80). Courtesy, Hannover Tourismus GmbH Street scene of Hannover, Ger., with the opera house (1842–52) and other buildings in the … Courtesy, Hannover Tourismus GmbH Hannover - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The capital of the German state of Lower Saxony is the historic city of Hannover. Its name is also spelled Hanover in English.

The city is located on the Leine River and the Mittelland Canal in northwestern Germany. Hannover has an irregularly built old town with many quaint stucco-front houses and a highly industrialized modern city. There are many parks, gardens, and woods, as well as museums and galleries to house a rich collection of art. The city is the site of the University of Hannover, a veterinary college, and several other colleges. For years the city has attracted foreign students eager to study Hannover’s reputedly pure form of the German language. Article History Hanover Travel Guide and Tourist Information: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany Hanover Tourist Information and Tourism (Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany) The medieval city of Hanover (Hannover in German), capital of the Lower Saxony state, stands around the River Leine and close to the expansive Eilenreide, which borders the city to the east. Central Hanover is fairly compact and despite serious bombing in the Second World War, still retains a true historic character, with many reconstructions of period buildings and renovated architecture.

The Hanover Fairground is amongst the city's top draw cards and hosts some enormous trade fairs and expos, when hoards of visitors descend on the area. Hanover is also known for its universities and educational institutions, its huge zoological gardens, and its tourism in general. Tourist brochures are in good supply at both the Hanover Tourist Information Centre (Hannover Tourismus) on Ernst-August-Platz, and also at the eye-catching Neues Rathas tower, which also boasts observation platforms and cityscape views. Hanover Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights A great way to explore Hanover is to take a walking tour of Old Town, where you will learn a host of information about Hanover's historic Old Town district and its many important buildings.

Other top tourist attractions in the city include Hanover Congress Centrum - hosting many of the city's premier events and concerts; Sea Life Grossaquarium - the city's 'Big Aquarium' complete with glass tunnel and rain forest areas; Hanover Zoo - full of animals, housed within naturalistic enclosures and themed areas; Eilenriede Park - a vast public space, combining both woodlands and expanses of grassland; and Herrenhauser Gardens - offering landscaping on a grand scale, with a grottos and famed Grosser Garden (Large Garden). More information about Hanover Tourist Attractions . Landmarks in Hanover are both old and new, natural and man-made.

Particularly notable is the Aegidienkirche - extremely picturesque remains of a 10th-century church; Kropcke Square - central to city life and located within the heart of Old Town Hanover; Maschsee Lake - an enormous water playground where you are able to enjoy boating, together with waterfront restaurants and beer gardens; Hanover Town Halls (Rathaus) - with both an Old Town built in the middle ages, and a contrasting New Town Hall nearby; and Waterlooplatz / Waterloo Memorial - a grand column commemorating the Battle of Waterloo. More information about Hanover Landmarks . Cultural attractions within Hanover include many interesting museums and noteworthy galleries.

Look out for the Lower Saxony State Museum - with a wealth of information about the region's ancient past; Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) - featuring portraits, local 17th-century artefacts and a collection of medals; Hanover State Museum (Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum) - boasting ethnological relics and displays about the city's past; Sprengel Museum - an impressive art gallery, with paintings by leading artists, such as Picasso and Klee; and the Wilhelm Busch Museum - an unusual collection of cartoons, graphics and similarly styled German art works. More information about Hanover Museums and Hanover Art Galleries . Close to Hanover are many further tourist sights and attractions, located in neighbouring cities, towns and villages. Hamburg is within reach of Hanover, a true city of culture, being home to around 80 museums and approximately 25 theatres, while nearby Marienburg is best known for its spectacular castle, the Schloss Marienburg. Also worth a visit is the old market place and its historic architecture within Gottingen, the official Pied Piper trail in Hamelin, and the huge number of timber-framed buildings within the medieval town of Celle.

More information about Hanover Attractions Nearby . More Hanover Information / Fast Facts and Orientation Country: Germany Location: Federal State of Lower Saxony Status: city, state capital Area: approximately 79 square miles / 205 square kilometres Population: approximately 525,000 Currency: Euro (EUR) Time zone: GMT + 1 hour Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz - flat two-pin plugs or third round pin are used, adaptors may be necessary in Germany Country dialling code: +49 Religion: large number of Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Protestant churches Average daily Hanover January temperature: 3°C / 37°F Average daily Hanover July temperature: 22°C / 72°F

Question: Which German city is the capital of Lower Saxony?
Answer: Hanover