Introduction:
I picked the Lower Saxony because my great great grandmother was born in Hannover. Also because of the Hannover Fair is the largest technology event in the world, boasting 6000 vendors and 200,000+ visitors. This led to a spinoff fair CEBIT the largest computing fair in the world. As an electrical engineer I deal with IEEE files and databases often, and a great deal of them come out of Hannover.
Geography:
The state is in Northwest Germany surrounded by the North Sea, The Netherlands, and German states Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia. No other state has so many borders.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Deutschland_Lage_von_Niedersachsen.svg
History:
Culture:
http://www.germany.travel
The state is in Northwest Germany surrounded by the North Sea, The Netherlands, and German states Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia. No other state has so many borders.
The northern half is primarily plains or flat lands except for few rolling hills. While in the southern half of the state there are two mountain ranges, Weserbergland and Harz mountains. Most major cities and
economic centers are within the central and southern parts of the state. Almost 20% of the state is National parks primarily the Wadden Sea National Park, one of the largest parks in Germany.
The climate here changes from west to east from maritme to continental. This change can be seen dramatically across the state. The average temperature is 8.5 celsius. Used to refer to where the tribal germanic saxons lived. Sense the 7th century has been settled by the saxons. Became a state after WWII in 1946. Formed from Hanover, Oldenberg, Brunswick and Schemburg-Lippe. Hannover was the largest land contributor and used to be a standing empire would be the capitol.
Most of the state's land was originally part of the historic Kingdom of Hanover. The state has thus adopted the coat of arms and other symbols of the former kingdom.
World War II left the region in dramatic ruin. Throughout the rebuilding process and until today efforts to down size manufacturing continue and refocus on agriculture. However Volkswagon is still the single biggest private employer within the state and has 5 operating plants.
Statistics:
- 2nd in area-47,624 km2
- 4th in population-7,918,293
- Only ~5.7% of Germany GDP 188 Billion / 3.3 Trillion
- ~20% of the land area is designated toward nature parks
- Primarily agriculture economically: wheat, potatoes, rye, oats, sugar beets, beef, pork, poultry.
- Mining: silver, iron, salt, lignite, crude oil
- Manufacturing: another large part to the regional economy: Volkswagen, aviation, shipbuilding, biotechnology, steel are large manufacturing sectors of the economy
- 2 political parties: Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic Party
- Large Cites: Brunswick, Hanover, Luneburg, Gottingen, Oldenburg,
- Current Governor: David McAllister
- Four large rivers running northward: Ems, Weser, Aller, Elbe.
Politics:
Politically the state is very torn as predominently the most right and left parties prevail of Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic Party. Surprisingly ~51% of the population religion is the Evangellical Church of Germany. The state is the origins of environmental movement within Germany and
founding state of the Green Party.
*From Wikipedia:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Landkreise_Niedersachsen-en.svg
The 38 districts:
The 38 districts:
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Furthermore there are ten urban districts:
- Brunswick
- Delmenhorst
- Emden
- Göttingen ¹
- Hanover ²
- Oldenburg
- Osnabrück
- Salzgitter
- Wilhelmshaven
- Wolfsburg
Culture:
Some still speak a lower dialect of German in rural outskirts. Primarily agricultural community based as a state of bulk production farming, primarily apples and sugar beets. There are 7 islands off the coast in the North Sea that are without cars or much technology, the East Frisian Islands (Ostfriesische Inseln). No cars or electricity just horses and bicycles. A tourist destination as a 'get away' and also a look at the culture of the state. It is not surprising to find bicycling is very popular throughout the state, many tourists visit primarily for cycling trails.
Conclusion:
Overall (Lower Saxony) is a pretty cool place. The fishing is pretty good and the countryside is dense with cycling trails. If your looking to get away; a trip out to the East Frisian Islands(Ostfriesische Inseln) doesn't sound to bad. The idea I got from these people is that they are very down to earth, productive and steady going.
Conclusion:
Overall (Lower Saxony) is a pretty cool place. The fishing is pretty good and the countryside is dense with cycling trails. If your looking to get away; a trip out to the East Frisian Islands(Ostfriesische Inseln) doesn't sound to bad. The idea I got from these people is that they are very down to earth, productive and steady going.
Sources
