Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is a state in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine River. It is the third-largest state in Germany, with over 11 million people living there. The capital city is Stuttgart. Other important cities include Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Freiburg im Breisgau, Heidelberg, and Ulm.

The state was formed in 1952 from the merger of three areas: South Baden, Württemberg-Baden, and Württemberg-Hohenzollern. These areas were created after World War II.

Baden-Württemberg has a strong economy. It is known for industries such as car manufacturing, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Large German companies like Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, Bosch, and SAP have their headquarters there. The state is often called “Ländle,” a friendly nickname from local dialects.

History

Main article: History of Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg was formed from the lands of Württemberg, Baden, and Prussian Hohenzollern. Baden is along the right side of the Rhine river, reaching down to Lake Constance. Württemberg and Hohenzollern are more inland and hilly, including the Swabian Jura mountains. The Black Forest was the border between Baden and Württemberg.

Long ago, the Roman Empire entered Württemberg and built a wall called a limes along its northern edge. Later, the Alemanni pushed the Romans back. In 496 AD, the Alemanni were defeated by the Franks led by Clovis I.

Most people in this area stayed Roman Catholic, even after the Protestant Reformation changed religion in northern Germany.

After World War I, the rulers of Baden, Württemberg, and Prussia were removed, and these areas became democratic republics. Later, during Adolf Hitler's rule, these democratic systems were abolished.

After World War II, the Allies created three new states in this area: (South) Baden, Württemberg-Baden, and Württemberg-Hohenzollern. Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern were controlled by France, while Württemberg-Baden was controlled by the United States.

In 1952, these three states joined together to form Baden-Württemberg. There was a vote where most people agreed to this merger. Later votes also supported joining Baden and Württemberg together.

Geography

Baden-Württemberg is a state in southwest Germany. It borders Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Bavaria. It also touches France, especially the area called Alsace, and Switzerland, including places like Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Aargau, Zürich, Schaffhausen, and Thurgau.

Many important cities in Baden-Württemberg are along the Neckar River. This river starts in Villingen-Schwenningen and flows through Tübingen, Stuttgart, Heilbronn, Heidelberg, and Mannheim. The Rhine River forms the western and part of the southern border of the state. The Black Forest is a big mountain area east of the Rhine. Another important area is the Swabian Alb, a high plateau between the Neckar River, the Black Forest, and the Danube River. Baden-Württemberg also shares Lake Constance with Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria. The Danube River begins near Donaueschingen where two small streams, the Brigach and Breg, meet.

Climate

Baden-Württemberg is in the south of Germany, near Bavaria. The weather changes a lot because of its mountains and high lands. In western areas like Baden, which are lower than 500–800 metres, the weather is mild most of the year. Eastern areas, such as Ulm, have colder winters than places farther north like Berlin.

Some warm places rarely see snow in winter, but areas like the Black Forest, Swabian Alb, and the Alps often have snow, especially at higher elevations. Summer rain is more common in these mountain areas, while the valleys get more sunny days in winter. Temperatures can range from about 5 °C in cooler spots like the Black Forest and Allgäu to around 13 °C in warmer valleys such as the Upper Rhine Valley.

Government

See also: List of cities in Baden-Württemberg by population

Baden-Württemberg is divided into thirty-five districts (Landkreise) and nine cities that are not part of any district. These are grouped into four areas: Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, and Tübingen.

Baden-Württemberg has nine cities that are not part of any district.

Other state institutions

The Baden-Württemberg General Auditing Office checks that public money is used properly.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Baden-Württemberg

The state parliament of Baden-Württemberg is called the Landtag, and it meets in Stuttgart. The current government is led by Winfried Kretschmann as the Minister-President. It is made up of members from the Greens and CDU.

Politics in Baden-Württemberg have often been led by the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). In 2011, voters chose a team from the Greens and Social Democrats (SPD) for the Landtag. In 2016, the Greens became the top party for the first time and worked with the CDU. In 2021, they continued to work together.

Most recent election results

Main article: 2021 Baden-Württemberg state election

Economy

Baden-Württemberg is one of the richest parts of Europe. It has good roads and trains, making travel easy. Even without many natural resources, it is strong in business and jobs.

The state makes many things that people buy in other countries. It also has many smart people with new ideas. Some famous companies, like cars and computer programs, started here. Smaller businesses also help keep the economy strong.

Tourism

Many people visit Baden-Württemberg for fun. The capital city, Stuttgart, has parks, museums, and special buildings. Other towns like Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden have beautiful old buildings and places to relax.

You can find old castles, pretty forests, and lakes for outdoor fun. In winter, people like to go skiing, and in summer, they hike or ride bikes. There are big festivals with music and food, and Christmas markets where you can find gifts and enjoy the holidays.

Baden-Württemberg is also home to Europa-Park, the largest theme park in Germany.

Companies owned by Baden-Württemberg

Education

Baden-Württemberg has some of Germany’s oldest and most famous universities. Heidelberg was founded in 1386, Freiburg in 1457, and Tübingen in 1477. The state has three excellence universities: Heidelberg, Tübingen, Konstanz, and Karlsruhe. Other important university towns are Mannheim and Ulm. In Stuttgart, you can find the University of Hohenheim and the University of Stuttgart. Ludwigsburg is home to the national film school, the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. There are also many other schools for higher education. Pforzheim University is known for its strong programs in engineering and business studies.

Baden-Württemberg has more universities than any other state in Germany.

Transport

Railway

Railways are very important for travel in Baden-Württemberg. The main railway network has tracks connecting all big towns in the state. There are special fast rail lines between some cities. A new fast line is being built now.

Local train lines add more connections. Trains in the state are run by many different companies.

Urban public transport

See also: List of Baden-Württemberg transport associations

Baden-Württemberg has groups that help organize buses and trains. These groups make sure tickets work the same for all buses and trains.

As of 2023, there are tram and light rail systems in several cities.

Airports

Baden-Württemberg has several airports. The biggest is Stuttgart Airport. Other airports include Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport and Friedrichshafen Airport. People also often use airports in nearby cities.

Demographics

Baden-Württemberg had more than 10 million people in 2014. About half were women and half were men. Many people in the state live long lives. Men live about 80 years and women about 84 years on average. Many people in the state were born in other countries. About 28% have roots outside of Germany.

Vital statistics

• Births from January–March 2017 = 25,454
• Births from January–March 2018 = 25,161
• Deaths from January–March 2017 = 31,767
• Deaths from January–March 2018 = 31,725
• Natural growth from January–March 2017 = -6,313
• Natural growth from January–March 2018 = -6,564

Religion

People in Baden-Württemberg have different religions. Many areas have been Protestant since the Reformation. Other areas are mainly Roman Catholic. Some people follow other religions or none at all.

Sports

Football

Football is very popular in Baden-Württemberg. Top teams include SC Freiburg, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and VfB Stuttgart.

Handball

Strong handball teams in the state include Frisch Auf Göppingen and Rhein-Neckar Löwen.

Basketball

The state has many professional basketball teams, such as Riesen Ludwigsburg and ratiopharm Ulm.

Ice hockey

Adler Mannheim is a well-known ice hockey team in the city of Mannheim.

Volleyball

VfB Friedrichshafen is the most successful volleyball club in German history.

Motorsport

Hockenheimring is a famous Formula One racing circuit.

Dialects

People in Baden-Württemberg speak different German dialects. In the south, they speak Alemannic dialects, while in the north, Franconian dialects are common.

Foreigners