Favorite German States

Two states comprise Southern Germany: Baden-Wurttemburg in the southwest, and Bavaria, the largest state in Germany in the southeast.

Baden-Wurttemburg is the third largest of the sixteen German states in both area and population. The Romans occupied this land during the first century AD, pushed beyond the Rhine and the Danube by the Alemanni, then later the Franks c. 496 AD. It later became part of the Holy Roman Empire. After WW II, the Allied forces split these lands into three federal states: French occupied Württemburg-Hohenzollern, Baden; and, US-occupied Württemburg-Baden. In 1951, under the German constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany, a referendum was held whereby the citizens of these three states voted to merge, the merger becoming official on April 25, 1952. Baden-Württemburg shares borders with France, Switzerland and Bavaria. It shares Lake Constance with Switzerland, has the foothills of the alps and the Schwartzwald or Black Forest. The source of the River Danube is in a place called Furtwangen in the Schwartzwald near the town of Donaueschingen. The state is one of the most prosperous German states and one of the wealthiest regions in Europe. Its has a low unemployment rate, is a center for middle-sized companies, and has 20% of Germany’s R&D. In addition, it is home to many well-respected companies including Daimer, Porsche, Bosch, and the software company, SAP, AG. A beautiful region with beautiful churches and castles, spas, lakes and mountainous landscape, Baden-Wurttemburg is a popular destination.

Bavaria is also one of the oldest states in Europe, established as a duchy in the first millennium. The Duke of Bavaria became a Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire in the 17th century. When Napoleon abolished the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, Bavaria became a kingdom and its size doubled. Bavaria managed to maintain its independence during the Austro-Prussian War, did not join the North German Federation of 1867, but fought with Prussia and Baden,Wurttemburg, Hesse-Darmstadt against the French in 1870, ultimately joining the Deutsches Reich or German Empire in 1871 and remaining a monarchy with special rights within the federation. Though Ludwig III released civil and military officers from their oaths in 1918 when the Socialist government was formed, the House of Wittelsbach has never formally declared renunciation of the throne, nor have they ever officially claimed it. Under the current head of house, HRH Duke Franz in Bavaria, the family is culturally and socially active, expressing its approval or disapproval by their presence or absence regarding public affairs. During WW II, Munich and Nuremberg became Nazi strongholds under the Third Reich. As an industrial center, Munich was heavily bombed during the war. Afterwards, a massive reconstruction effort restored Munich and its historic core, rehabilitating Bavaria as an industrial center, a positive economic change from its former provincial agrarian status. In 1946, the Rhenish Palatinate was detached from Bavaria to become its own state. Bavaria was part of West Germany during the Cold War.  Today, the proximity to Austria with skiing on both sides of the border, its historic sites in picturesque towns and villages, and the sophisticated city of Munich with its contemporary culture and historic ambience, combine to attract tourists to this lovely state.

MAIN CITIES & TOWNS OF EACH SOUTHERN STATE:

Baden-Wurttemburg: Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, Ulm, Heidelberg, Tübingen, Manheim, Wertheim, Konstanz, Meersburg, Frieburg.

Bavaria: Munich, Würzburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Berchtesgadener Land, Hohen-schwangau, Linau, Augsburg.

MAPS:  Left:  1. Map of Germany. Dark Green: The state of  Baden-Wurttemburg. Right: Map of Germany. Dark Green: The state of Bavaria.  2