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Website. www .bayern .de. Bavaria, [a] officially the Free State of Bavaria, [b] is a state in the southeast of Germany. With an area of 70,550.19 km 2 (27,239.58 sq mi), it is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total land area of Germany.
- 70,550.19 km² (27,239.58 sq mi)
- Germany
- Overview
- Geography
Bavaria, largest Land (state) of Germany, comprising the entire southeastern portion of the country. Bavaria is bounded to the north by the states of Thuringia and Saxony, to the east by the Czech Republic, to the south and southeast by Austria, and to the west by the states of Baden-Württemberg and Hessen. Munich (München) is the capital. Area 27,...
Bavaria is a country of high plateaus and medium-sized mountains. In the north are basalt knolls and high plateaus; in the northwest are the wooded sandstone hills of the Spessart. The northwest is drained by the Main River, which flows into the Rhine. To the southeast the topography varies from the stratified land formations of Swabia-Franconia to shell limestone and red marl, the hill country of the Franconian-Rednitz Basin, and the limestone mountains of the Franconian Jura along the Danube, which divides Bavaria north and south. On the eastern edge of Bavaria are the Bavarian and Bohemian forests, and in the north is the Franconian Forest. South of the Danube is a plateau upon which lies the capital, Munich, and beyond it are the Bavarian Alps. Bavaria’s share of the Alps consists of wooded peaks of several thousand feet, behind which rise steep ridges and high plateaus (in the west, the Allgäuer Alps; in the east, the Alps of Berchtesgaden). They reach their highest point with the 9,718-foot (2,962-metre) Zugspitze, which is also the highest point in Germany. Bavaria has a continental climate that is harsh for middle Europe, although there are some exceptions, such as the Lower Main valley.
Historically, the north has been inhabited by descendants of the Franks, the southeast by residents of old Bavarian stock, and the southwest by people of Bavarian-Swabian descent. The majority of Bavaria’s inhabitants still live in small towns. Only about one-fifth live in cities of 100,000 or more. Munich is the third largest city in Germany and the largest city in Bavaria.
After World War II there was an influx of refugees from the Sudetenland and eastern Europe, where many ethnic Germans had lived for centuries. A significant proportion of Bavaria’s population at the beginning of the 21st century was composed of those refugees and their descendants. Beginning in the 1960s, the industrial areas received large numbers of migrant workers from southern Europe.
Great changes took place in the religious composition of the population after the war, with a heavy influx of Protestants. In the early 21st century, most Bavarians were Roman Catholics, and Evangelical Lutherans were the second largest religious group.
About two-fifths of the state’s gross output in the early 21st century consisted of industrial and handicraft products. Trade, transportation, and services accounted for more than half and agriculture and forestry for only a tiny amount.
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11 things to know before going to Bavaria in Germany. Jul 20, 2023 • 9 min read. Explore the best of Bavaria in southern Germany with these planning tips and info on etiquette, health and safety.
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- Munich, Germany
- 09441 2040
- Visit the Zugspitze. Address. Zugspitze. At 9,718 feet, the Zugspitze is the highest peak of Germany and is reachable by a 10-minute cable car or a 35-minute train.
- Visit the World's Oldest Brewery. Address. Asamstraße 32, 93309 Kelheim, Germany. Phone +49 9441 2040. Web Visit website. If you won't arrive in time for Oktoberfest, you can still get an authentic beer experience in Bavaria by visiting the world's oldest brewery.
- Take in the City Sights of Munich. Address. Munich, Germany. Phone +49 89 38666390. Web Visit website. Munich—or München—is the capital of Bavaria and the gateway to the Alps.
- Tour the Disney-Like Neuschwanstein Castle. Address. Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany. Phone +49 8362 930830. Web Visit website.
- Nature is accessible and must be respected. Home to the foothills of the Alps, Bavaria is naturally breathtaking. Bavarians are aware of the beautiful landscapes surrounding them, and there is an emphasis on cherishing and spending time in nature.
- Shops close early and are shut on Sundays. Generally speaking, conservative, religious values are upheld in Bavaria more than other parts of Germany. The state values its traditions, which is reflected in a slower pace of life.
- Bavaria is traditional but also a leader on modern technology. Bavarians may enjoy traditional values in their daily lives, but that doesn’t stop the state from being a leader in industry and innovation.
- Bavaria's many different regions each have their own distinct identity. Bavaria in its current form is relatively new, dating back to 1919. Until this point, the different regions were rather independent with their own culture, traditions, and cuisine.
Mysterious forests and snow-capped peaks. Outdoor activities and relaxation. UNESCO World Heritage sites and a wealth of cultural attractions. Bavarian diversity. In southern Germany, the Free State of Bavaria and its capital Munich wow visitors with their picture-perfect scenic beauty.
The history of Bavaria stretches from its earliest settlement and its formation as a stem duchy in the 6th century through its inclusion in the Holy Roman Empire to its status as an independent kingdom and finally as a large Bundesland (state) of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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