Hessen in Germany
The first thing that foreign visitors notice when they are in the region of the state of Hesse travel, is the somewhat idiosyncratic-sounding dialect. This linguistic peculiarity is based on a mixture of different dialect groups, which over time have developed into the language typical of the country. Among other things, one finds here the linguistic influences from the Rhine-Franconian and other Central German dialect groups.
For many Visitor barely audible, but still there, is the difference between the South Hessian, the Lower Hessian, the Upper Hessian and the East Hessian language usage. These different dialects are characterized by different language and dialect variants.
These classic dialect groups are supplemented by the immigrant external dialects and are therefore rarely heard in their original form.
Geography and landscapes of Hesse
The state of Hesse is located in the southwest of central Germany and is one of the largest federal states in terms of area. Hesse is also relatively densely populated. The region around Frankfurt in particular is an economically very strong and also an important financial power in Europe. In the largest city in Hesse, in Frankfurt am Main, artists, scientists, industrialists and stock exchange traders live close together.
Frankfurt is often mistaken for the capital of Hesse, but in reality this role is played by Wiesbaden.
The state itself is not that old yet. It was not until September 19, 1945, when Hesse was still called Greater Hesse, that the area of Hesse came into being. Nevertheless, Hesse is the first of the federal states in Germany that still exists today. And it was also the first to have a democratic constitution.
The name of the state probably comes from a modification of the name of a Germanic tribe, which is said to have been resident in the region. The Chatten lived in what is now northern and central Hesse. However, this theory is not 100 percent scientifically proven.
The landscapes of the Hessian region consist of low mountain ranges and basin landscapes. Some of these plains are less than 200 meters high, the rivers are sometimes less than 100 meters. For many of Hesse, only the big and pulsating cities are in front of their eyes. But especially the regions around the cities have wonderful landscapes. The Taunus, the Süderbergland and the Slate Mountains are located in the Hessian catchment area.
The Rhine, which also flows through the area, forms a natural border with the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The Rhine runs 107 kilometers through Hesse. The Main and Lahn as well as the Neckar also flow through Hesse and are important bodies of water in the region.
The past of Hesse
In the past, the area of today’s Hesse was one of the territories of the Hessian principalities. Later, these different principalities were united into one large domain.
After the end of the Second World War and the proclamation by the American military government in autumn 1945, the possibility was created for the state of Hesse to emerge in its present form. On the basis of the proclamation, the state of Hesse was founded and a democratic order was given to it. The state of Greater Hesse was first created. A year later there was a referendum which decided that Greater Hesse should become the state of Hesse, which still exists in this form today.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
One of the 16 federal states of the Federal Republic Germany is Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is located in the north-eastern part of Germany and the landscape is mainly characterized by the typical north German lowlands. This is characterized by predominantly flat land, with rare and few elevations that are more hilly.Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania borders the Baltic Sea and has as neighboring federal states Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, which border Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the west. That is in the southstate Brandenburg. In the east, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shares a border with Poland.
The emergence of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, like all federal states, was officially founded after the Second World War. At that time, the two formerly separate states of Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania were combined. Geographically, part of the remaining former Prussian Pomerania belongs to the current state. When Germany was divided in 1952, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania became part of eastern Germany and thus the German Democratic Republic. In the following period the country was divided into the districts of Schwerin, Rostock and Neubrandenburg divided. Since the reunification of Germany in 1990 and the re-establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has existed again.
Branches of the economy in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
The two universities in Greifswald and Rostock are particularly important for the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region. Two of the oldest universities in Germany are located here.
The entire region is dominated by wind and solar energy. The industry covers everything from production to energy generation and processing in the power grid. The second important branch of the economy is ship and yacht building. Agriculture too is quite well developed here in combination with the food industry.
The tourism industry benefits from the vastness and tranquility in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Along with the other branches of the economy, this became a major sector. 5 national parks and biosphere reserves alone, plenty of sights and a wide range of leisure activities and cultural events attract numerous people looking for relaxation in the state.
The coastal region in particular is particularly well positioned for tourism. Here you will find a pleasant climate and clear, clean air. This is particularly useful for people with respiratory diseases. But a pure bathing and family vacation is also quite possible here. The tourist industry has also adapted to families with children.
In addition to the coastal area, the highlights and most popular holiday destinations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are also in the sea. The islands of Rügen, Usedom, Poel and Hiddensee are the most frequented islands. The tourist offer is also greatest here.
Naming of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Today it is assumed that the name Mecklenburg comes from the old Saxon usage. The Mikilinburg is mentioned in a document in the year 995. Mikil means “big”. Over the centuries, the word Mecklenburg developed from this. Vorpommern came only in the 16./17. Century on. This is where the Duchy of Pomerania was named. The word Pomerania comes from the Slavic po Morje and means “by the sea”.
