Saarland

Saarland is a small state in the southwest of Germany. It covers an area of 2,570 km² and has a population of about 1 million people. Saarbrücken is the capital and largest city, with other important cities including Neunkirchen and Saarlouis.

Saarland is surrounded mostly by France to the west and south, and by the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate to the north and east. It also shares a tiny border with Luxembourg.

For much of its history, Saarland was important because of its rich coal deposits and heavy industry. It became a separate area in 1920 after World War I, governed by France under a League of Nations mandate. Later, it was part of Nazi Germany, then occupied by France after World War II. Finally, in 1957, Saarland joined the Federal Republic of Germany as a state.

History

Before World War I

The Saarland region was first home to the Celtic tribes of Treveri and Mediomatrici. Later, the Romans took control, making it part of their province of Belgica. This time brought wealth, seen in the ruins of Roman villas and villages.

After the Romans left, the Franks took over. For over a thousand years, the area was split into small parts, sometimes ruled by nearby leaders. The French tried to take control several times, finally bringing the region into the French Republic after the French Revolution. After Napoleon’s defeat, the area was split again, with parts going to Prussia, Bavaria, and Oldenburg.

Interwar history

Main article: Territory of the Saar Basin

After World War I, the Saarland was occupied by Britain and France under the Treaty of Versailles. It was managed by France. Many people who opposed Nazism came here because it was not under German control.

When the occupation ended, a vote was held in 1935. Most people chose to rejoin Germany.

Nazi period

Following the vote, the area was fully part of Germany. During World War II, French forces briefly entered the Saarland but left soon after.

History after World War II

Further information: Saar Protectorate

After World War II, the Saarland was occupied by France again and became the Saar Protectorate. France allowed the local German people to stay. In 1954, France and West Germany suggested a plan for the Saarland to become independent, but a vote in 1955 said no.

In 1956, it was decided that the Saarland would join West Germany, which happened on January 1, 1957. This was called the “little reunification.” The Saar franc was used until it was replaced by the Deutsche Mark in 1959.

Geography

Saarland is a small state in southwest Germany. It borders France, Luxembourg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. The state is named after the Saar River, which flows through it.

Saarland is slightly smaller than Luxembourg, and it is the smallest state in Germany by area, except for three city-states. Much of the land is covered in forests, and the highest point is the Dollberg mountain. Most people live near the capital city, Saarbrücken, close to the French border.

Districts

Saarland has six districts:

1. Merzig-Wadern
2. Neunkirchen
3. Saarbrücken
4. Saarlouis
5. Saarpfalz-Kreis
6. Sankt Wendel

Demographics

Saarland is the most religious state in Germany. Most people there belong to the Catholic Church. About half the people are Catholic, and some belong to the Protestant Church in Germany. The rest are not part of either church.

Saarland has the most Catholics of any German state. It is the only state where more than half the people are Catholic.

Largest cities

See also: List of cities in Saarland by population

The following table shows the ten largest cities of Saarland:

Religion

Politics

Main article: Politics of Saarland

Mostly, the centre-right Christian Democratic Union has led Saarland since 1957, either alone or with partners. But sometimes the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) has been in charge. After the 2022 state elections, the SPD now runs the government all by itself. It is led by minister-president Anke Rehlinger.

Current government of the Saarland

Main article: 2022 Saarland state election

See also: Constitutional Court of Saarland and List of minister-presidents of the Saarland

Economy

Saarland helped Germany’s economy a lot in 2018. The work done there added €35.4 billion to Germany’s money.

People in Saarland make cars, steel, ceramics, and computer technology. In the past, they dug up coal for 250 years. But the last coal mine closed in 2012 because of worries about earthquakes.

In October 2018, about 5.8% of people in Saarland did not have jobs. This was more than in all of Germany but less than in the rest of Europe.

Education

Education in Saarland works the same way as in other parts of Germany. After four years of primary school called Grundschule, students choose one of three paths: Gymnasium, Gemeinschaftsschule, or Berufsschulen. The Gymnasium prepares students for university and lasts eight years. Gemeinschaftsschule is a school for all students with different levels of learning. Berufsschulen help students learn jobs by mixing classroom time with real work.

Saarland has important schools that help with learning across borders. Saarland University in Saarbrücken and Homburg is strong in computer science and European law. The University of Applied Sciences focuses on engineering, economics, and social sciences. Saarland University also works with schools in France to help students learn many languages.

Transport

The main airport in the region is Saarbrücken Airport. It has flights within Germany and to other parts of Europe. The airport is east of Saarbrücken. People in the area also use Luxembourg Airport and Frankfurt Airport, which have many flights.

Culture

Local dialect

In Saarland, people speak two special dialects. In the southeast, they speak Rhine Franconian. In the northwest, they speak Moselle Franconian, which sounds like the dialect spoken near the river Moselle and in cities like Trier or even Luxembourg.

Both dialects are very important to people in Saarland.

French also influences the words used in Saarland. Some common words come from French.

French

The French language is important in Saarland because it is close to France. Some people there can speak French, and many schools teach it. Saarbrücken has a special school where students learn both German and French.

Sports

The Saar team tried to join the 1954 FIFA World Cup but could not. They were behind West Germany but ahead of Norway. Saar also joined the 1952 Summer Olympics and played in field handball world championships in the early 1950s.

Museums

Saarland has many interesting museums to explore. You can visit places like the Airplane exhibition Hermeskeil, the Bergwerk Göttelborn, and the Bergwerk Reden. Other notable spots include the Feinmechanisches Museum Fellenbergmühle, Grube Düppenweiler, and Haus Ludwig.

There are also special museums such as the Hillfort of Otzenhausen, the Historic Museum Saar, and the Kunstforum Baden-Badener Versicherung. Don’t miss the Roman Villa Borg, the Roman Villa Nennig, and the Römermuseum Schwarzenacker. The Saarlandmuseum, Saarschleife, and the Saarlandish Mining Museum Bexbach are also worth visiting. Other interesting places include the Saarlandish Watchmuseum Püttlingen, the German newspaper museum, the Saarländisches Zweiradmuseum, the Castle-mountain caves Homburg, the Völklingen Ironworks — a UNESCO World Heritage site — the Wolves park Werner Freund, and the Zentrum für Biodokumentation.