Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is a coastal state in northern Germany. It is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany. The state includes most of the old Duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig. It borders Denmark, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and the city-state of Hamburg. The capital is Kiel. Other important cities are Lübeck and Flensburg. It is the fifth smallest German federal state.

Historically, Schleswig was once part of Denmark. In the 19th century, people in the area disagreed about whether it should belong to Denmark or Germany. This led to some difficult times. After World War I, a vote decided that part of Schleswig would go back to Denmark. After World War II, many people who had to leave their homes came to Schleswig-Holstein.

Today, Schleswig-Holstein is known for its farming, especially its Holstein cows. The Kiel Canal is there, and the area has offshore oil wells and wind farms. Fishing is important, and the region is a popular place for tourists to visit.

History

Main article: History of Schleswig-Holstein

The land we now call Schleswig-Holstein has a long history. The name "Holstein" comes from an old group of people called the Holsts. They lived between the Stör River and the city of Hamburg. Later, Holstein became part of a big group of countries called the Holy Roman Empire.

Schleswig used to be a city. It later became a region close to Denmark. Over time, both Schleswig and Holstein were ruled by Danish kings. Holstein was also part of the Holy Roman Empire. This meant one king ruled both places.

Different groups of people lived in this area, including Danes and Germans. There were times of peace and times of conflict as different groups wanted to control the land. Today, Schleswig-Holstein is a state in Germany. Its history shows how many different cultures and countries have influenced the area.

Geography

See also: List of places in Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is a pretty coastal state in northern Germany. It lies between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. It borders Denmark to the north and the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the south.

The land has calm lowlands, gentle hills, and many lakes, especially in places like Holstein Switzerland. The North Frisian Islands and part of the North Sea coast are in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, one of Europe’s biggest national parks. The highest point in the state is Bungsberg, which is 168 metres above sea level. Well-known islands include Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, Fehmarn, Pellworm, and Heligoland.

Administration

Schleswig-Holstein is divided into 11 Kreise (Districts) and four Kreisfreie Städte (Urban Districts). It has its own parliament and government in the capital city, Kiel. The Minister-President is chosen by the Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein. State elections were held on 8 May 2022, and the current government is led by Daniel Günther.

Demographics

Schleswig-Holstein has an aging population. In 2016, there were fewer babies born than people who passed away.

Most people in Schleswig-Holstein have been Protestant since the time of the Protestant Reformation. In 2018, about 44.6% of the people belonged to the Protestant Church in Germany, and 6.1% were part of the Catholic Church. Around 49.3% of people followed other religions or did not practice any religion.

Culture

Schleswig-Holstein is a place where Danish, Frisian, and German cultures come together. You can see this in old castles, special foods like Rødgrød, and even in family names such as Hansen.

Some of the biggest events here are Kiel Week, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival for classical music, and the Lübeck Nordic Film Days for movies from Scandinavian countries. The Wacken Open Air festival is famous as one of the world's largest heavy metal music events.

Symbols

The coat of arms of Schleswig-Holstein shows two lions for Schleswig and a nettle leaf for Holstein. The historic city of Lübeck is a World Heritage Site.

The motto of Schleswig-Holstein is "Up ewich ungedeelt" which means "Forever undivided." The famous song of the region is called "Wanke nicht, mein Vaterland."

Food and drink

Schleswig-Holstein food often mixes sweet flavors with sour or salty ones. Popular dishes include:

• Birnen, Bohnen und Speck made with pears, beans, savory, parsley, bacon, and potatoes
• Holsteiner Sauerfleisch, a sour meat dish
• Holsteiner Katenschinken, a special kind of smoked ham
• Nordseekrabben, small crabs used in many dishes
• Smoked Kieler Sprotten
• Fish like Flatfish and Herring
• Grünkohl, a special cabbage dish enjoyed in winter
• Lübecker Marzipan, a sweet made from almonds
• Lakritz, a type of candy with a strong flavor
• Lübecker Rotspon, a special Bordeaux wine
• Flensburger Rum-Verschnitt, a mix of rum with other liquids

Languages

The main language in Schleswig-Holstein is German. You can also hear Low German, Danish, and North Frisian in some areas. These languages have a long history here, though German is now used in most everyday situations.

Economy

The economy of Schleswig-Holstein is strong and varied. In 2018, the state’s total economy was worth about 62.7 billion euros, making up almost 2% of Germany’s entire economy. People in the state earn enough to be about equal to the rest of Europe.

Schleswig-Holstein leads in using clean energy. By 2014, the whole state got all of its electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, and plants. By 2023, it was even making more clean energy than it needed and sharing it with others.

The state is also known for its farming, especially for growing crops like wheat and raising animals like cows. It has big companies in shipbuilding, making medical tools, and chemical products. Tourism is important too, with many visitors coming to enjoy its beaches and islands.

Transport

Kiel Canal

Main article: Kiel Canal

The Kiel Canal is an important waterway in Schleswig-Holstein. It connects Brunsbüttel on the North Sea to Kiel on the Baltic Sea. Many ships use this canal to travel between the two seas.

Ports

Schleswig-Holstein has many ports and places where boats can stop. Four of these ports are very busy with ships from other countries: Kiel, Lübeck / Travemünde, Puttgarden on the Baltic Sea, and Brunsbüttel on the North Sea. Kiel and Lübeck help move goods to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Lübeck-Travemünde and Kiel are favorite spots for ferries and big cruises. Puttgarden helps people travel to Denmark, and Brunsbüttel is where many large ships and wind energy projects start.

Air

Lübeck Airport and Sylt Airport are the two airports in Schleswig-Holstein. The biggest airport nearby is Hamburg Airport, which is about 89 km south of Kiel.

Education

In Schleswig-Holstein, children start school with a four-year primary school called Grundschule. Children who turn six years old by June 30th must go to school. After primary school, students go to secondary school. There are two types of secondary schools: Gemeinschaftsschulen and Gymnasium.

At Gemeinschaftsschulen, students can earn a certificate called Mittlere Reife. Some schools also have three more years so students can earn the Abitur. The Abitur is a qualification for going to college.

Most Gymnasium schools take nine years to reach the Abitur. One special school can finish in eight years. Three Gymnasien offer both three-year and two-year paths to the Abitur. Another way to earn the Abitur is through a Berufliches Gymnasium. Students can choose a subject area like agricultural economics, nutrition, technology, economics, or health and social care.

Schleswig-Holstein has three universities in Kiel, Lübeck, and Flensburg. There are also Universities of Applied Sciences in Wedel, Altenholz, Flensburg, Heide, Kiel, and Lübeck. There are special schools for music and art.

Honorary citizens

Schleswig-Holstein has recognized some special people as honorary citizens. These include former leaders of the state and country, a well-known writer, an actor, a businessman, and a philanthropist. Many of these honorary citizens have helped improve the culture and community of Schleswig-Holstein.