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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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May 9, 2024 · From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered. Here are the most beautiful towns to visit in the southern German state of Bavaria offering fairytale castles lakes and views.
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.
- 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.
Jul 20, 2023 · Explore the best of Bavaria's beautiful landscapes in southern Germany with these tips on language, shopping, local etiquette and health and safety.
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.
