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Encyclopedia > Electorate of Bavaria
Freistaat Bayern
Free State of Bavaria
Coat of arms of Bavaria


Striped variant Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_Bavaria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Bavaria_(striped). ...



"Lozengy" variant Image File history File links Flag_of_Bavaria_(lozengy). ...

Time zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Administration
Capital: Munich
Prime Minister: Edmund Stoiber (CSU)
Governing party: CSU
Votes in Bundesrat: 6 (from 69)
Basic Statistics
Area: 70,549 km² (27,239 sq.mi.)
Population: 12,483,000 (31. Aug. 2006)
 - Density: 177 /km² (458 /sq.mi.)
Further Information
GDP: € 404 billion (2005)
   - 18 % of German GDP
DE2
DE-BY
Website: bayern.de
Location within Germany
Map of Germany, location of Bavaria highlighted

The geographic region and Free State of Bavaria (German: Freistaat Bayern), with an area of 70,553 km² (27,241 square miles) and 12.4 million inhabitants, forms the southernmost state of today's Germany. Its capital is Munich. A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries not observing summer time Central European Time (CET) is one of the names of the time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ... Time zones of Europe: Pale colours indicate countries without daylight saving Central European Summer Time (CEST) is one of the names of UTC+2 time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ... Central European Time West Africa Time British Summer Time* Irish Summer Time* Western European Summer Time* Category: ... Eastern European Time Central Africa Time Israel Standard Time South Africa Standard Time Central European Summer Time West Africa Summer Time Category: ... In politics a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Coordinates: Time zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country: Germany State: Bavaria Administrative region: Upper Bavaria District: Urban district City subdivisions: 25 borroughs Lord Mayor: Christian Ude (SPD) Governing parties: SPD / Greens / Rosa Liste Basic Statistics Area: 310. ... A minister-president (Ministerpräsident) is the head of government of a German federal state; the office corresponds to the governorship of a state in the United States. ... Edmund Stoiber in Würzburg Edmund Stoiber [IPA: ˈɛtmÊŠnt ˈʃtɔʏbɐ] (born September 28, 1941) is a German politician, currently minister-president of the state of Bavaria and chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU). ... The Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU – ) is a conservative political party in Germany. ... // Political scientists have developed concepts of different ideal types of political parties in order to better compare them with each other. ... The Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU – ) is a conservative political party in Germany. ... The Bundesrat (federal council) is the representation of the 16 Federal States (Länder) of Germany at the federal level. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) is a geocode standard for referencing the administrative division of countries for statistical purposes. ... ISO 3166-2 is the second part of the ISO 3166 standard. ... A website (or Web site) is a collection of web pages, typically common to a particular domain name or subdomain on the World Wide Web on the Internet. ... Image File history File links Deutschland_Lage_von_Bayern. ... Flag of the now defunct Orange Free State Flag of the modern Free State of Bavaria The modern Republic of Ireland was known from 1922-1937 as the Irish Free State. ... Germany is a Federal Republic made up of 16 States, known in German as Länder (singular Land). ... Coordinates: Time zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country: Germany State: Bavaria Administrative region: Upper Bavaria District: Urban district City subdivisions: 25 borroughs Lord Mayor: Christian Ude (SPD) Governing parties: SPD / Greens / Rosa Liste Basic Statistics Area: 310. ...

Contents

History

Main article: History of Bavaria // Early settlements and Roman Raetia There are numerous palaeolithic finds in Bavaria. ...


The region north of the Alps was inhabited by Celts and was part of the Roman Empire until (probably Germanic) tribes from the East, the so-called 'Bayuvaren' started to settle in the region in the 6th century AD. A later mention was made by the Franks ca. 520. Saint Boniface completed the people's conversion to Christianity in the early 8th century. Bavaria withstood the Protestant Reformation, and even today is strongly Roman Catholic. (5th century — 6th century — 7th century — other centuries) Events The first academy of the east the Academy of Gundeshapur founded in Persia by the Persian Shah Khosrau I. Irish colonists and invaders, the Scots, began migrating to Caledonia (later known as Scotland) Glendalough monastery, Wicklow Ireland founded... For other uses, see Franks (disambiguation). ... For the Roman general of this name, see Bonifacius. ... Reformation redirects here. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ...


From about 550 to 788, the house of Agilolfing ruled the duchy of Bavaria, ending with Tassilo III who was deposed by Charlemagne. For the next 400 years numerous families held the duchy, rarely for more than three generations. With the revolt of duke Henry the Quarrelsome Bavaria lost in 976 large territories in the south and south east. The last, and one of the most important, of these dukes was Henry the Lion of the house of Welf, founder of Munich. The Agilolfings were a family of Frankish or Bavarian nobility that ruled the historical teritory of Bavaria on behalf of their Frankish overlords from about 550 until 788. ... The following is a list of rulers of Bavaria: Dukes of Bavaria, 889-1623 Liutpolding Dynasty Liutpold 889-907 Arnulf the Bad 907-937 Eberhard 937 Berthold 938-947 Liudolfing ( Ottonian) Dynasty Henry I 947-955 Henry II the Quarrelsome 955-976 Otto I 976-982 Liutpolding Dynasty Henry III... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A portrait of Charlemagne by Albrecht Dürer that was painted several centuries after Charlemagnes death. ... Henry II the Wrangler Henry II (951–995), called the Wrangler or the Quarrelsome, in German Heinrich der Zänker, was the son of Henry I and Judith of Bavaria. ... Coronation of Henry the Lion and Matilda of England (1188) Henry the Lion (face of statue on his tomb in Brunswick Cathedral) Henry the Lion (1129 - August 6, 1195; in German, Heinrich der Löwe) was a member of the Welf dynasty and Duke of Saxony as Henry III since... The House of Welf (or House of Guelph) is a European dynasty that has included many German and British monarchs from the 11th century until the 20th century. ...


When Henry the Lion was deposed as duke of Saxony and Bavaria by his cousin, Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1180, Bavaria was awarded as fief to the Wittelsbach family, which ruled from 1180 to 1918. The first of several divisions of the duchy occurred in 1255 but in 1506 Bavaria was reunited and Munich became the sole capital. In 1623 the dukes replaced their relative, the Count Palatine of the Rhine in the early days of the Thirty Years War and acquired the powerful prince-electoral dignity in the Holy Roman Empire, determining its Emperor thence forward, as well as special legal status under the empire's laws. When Napoleon abolished the Empire, Bavaria became a kingdom in 1806, and in 1815 the Rhenish Palatinate was annexed to it. In between 1799 and 1817 the leading minister count Montgelas followed a strict policy of modernisation and laid the foundations of administrative structures that survived even the monarchy and are (in their core) valid until today. In 1818 a modern constitution (by the standards of the time) was passed, that established a bicameral Parliament with a House of Lords ("Kammer der Reichsräte") and a House of Commons ("Kammer der Abgeordneten"). The constitution was valid until the collapse of the monarchy at the end of the First World War. The Free State of Saxony (German: Freistaat Sachsen; Sorbian: Swobodny Stat Sakska) is the easternmost federal state of Germany. ... Frederick Barbarossa in a 13th century Chronicle. ... The Wittelsbach family is an European royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria. ... A palatinate is an area administered by a count palatine, originally the direct representative of the sovereign but later the hereditary ruler of the territory subject to the crowns overlordship. ... The victory of Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Breitenfeld (1631) The Thirty Years War was a conflict fought between the years 1618 and 1648, principally in the central European territory of the Holy Roman Empire, but also involving most of the major continental powers. ... The prince-electors or electoral princes of the Holy Roman Empire — German: Kurfürst (singular) Kurfürsten (plural) — were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Emperors of Germany. ... The double-headed eagle A portrait of Charlemagne wearing the crown of the Holy Roman Empire (15th century painting by Albrecht Dürer) The Holy Roman Empire was a mainly Germanic conglomeration of lands in Central Europe during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... The Coat of arms of the Kings of Bavaria Bold textKing of Bavaria was a title held by the hereditary Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria from 1805 till 1918, when the kingdom was abolished. ... The Palatinate (German: Pfalz), historically also Rhenish Palatinate (German: Rheinpfalz), is a region in south-western Germany. ... Maximilian Josef Garnerin, Count von Montgelas (1759–1838), was a Bavarian statesman, from a noble family in Savoy. ...


After the rise of Prussia to prominence Bavaria managed to preserve its independence by playing off the rivalries of Prussia and Austria, but defeat in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War led to its incorporation into the German Empire in 1871. In the early 20th century Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Henrik Ibsen, and other notable artists were drawn to Bavaria, notably to the Schwabing district of Munich, but the region was devastated by World War II. Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 Prussia (German: ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Lithuanian: ; Polish: ; Old Prussian: PrÅ«sa) was, most recently, a historic state originating in East Prussia, an area which for centuries had substantial influence on German and European history. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Combatants Austria, Saxony, Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg, Hanover and some minor German States (formerly as the German Confederation) Prussia, Italy, and some minor German States Strength 600,000 Austrians and German allies 500,000 Prussians and German allies 300,000 Italians Casualties 20,000 dead or wounded 37,000 dead... Motto: Gott mit Uns (German: God with us”) Anthem: Heil dir im Siegerkranz (unofficial) Territory of the German Empire in 1914, prior to World War I Capital Berlin Language(s) Official: German Unofficial minority languages: Polish (Posen, Lower Silesia,Upper Silesia, Masuria) French (Alsace-Lorraine) Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1871... Wassily Kandinsky Wassily Kandinsky (Russian: Василий Кандинский, first name pronounced as [vassi:li]) (December 16, 1866 [O.S. December 4] – December 13, 1944) was a Russian painter and art theorist. ... Paul Klee (IPA: ) (December 18, 1879 to June 29, 1940) was a Swiss painter of German nationality. ... Photo of Henrik Ibsen in his older days Henrik Johan Ibsen (March 20, 1828 – May 23, 1906) was a major Norwegian playwright who was largely responsible for the rise of the modern realistic drama. ... Schwabing is a neighborhood in the northern part of Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria. ... Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33...

Wieskirche
Wieskirche

Socialist premier Kurt Eisner, who deposed King Ludwig III, was assassinated in 1919 leading to a violently suppressed communist revolt. Extremist activity on the right also increased, notably the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, and Munich and Nuremberg became Nazi strongholds under the Third Reich. As a manufacturing center, Munich was heavily bombed during World War II and occupied by U.S. troops. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (896x600, 56 KB) Summary The Wieskirche Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (896x600, 56 KB) Summary The Wieskirche Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Socialism is a social and economic system (or the political philosophy advocating such a system) in which the economic means of production are owned and controlled collectively by the people. ... Monument to Kurt Eisner on the sidewalk where he fell when he was assassinated in Munich. ... Ludwig III of Bavaria Ludwig III, HM Ludwig III Leopold Joseph Maria Aloys Alfred King of Bavaria, (7 January 1845 - 18 October 1921) was briefly Prince Regent of Bavaria and was the last King of Bavaria from 1913 to 1918. ... The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed coup détat that occurred between the evening of Thursday, November 8 and the early afternoon of Friday, November 9, 1923, when the Nazi partys Führer Adolf Hitler, the popular World War I General Erich Ludendorff, and other leaders of the... Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg) is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. ... National Socialism redirects here. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33... The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...


Since World War II, Bavaria has been rehabilitated into a prosperous industrial hub. A massive reconstruction effort restored much of Munich's historic core, and the city played host to the 1972 Summer Olympics. More recently, state minister-president Edmund Stoiber was the CDU/CSU candidate for chancellor in the 2002 federal election, and native son Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg (a German-Army officer who was the central figure in the July 20 plot to kill Adolf Hitler in 1944)was born in Jettingen / Bavaria. Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33... The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. ... Edmund Stoiber in Würzburg Edmund Stoiber [IPA: ˈɛtmʊnt ˈʃtɔʏbɐ] (born September 28, 1941) is a German politician, currently minister-president of the state of Bavaria and chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU). ... The 15th German federal election, 2002 was conducted on September 22, 2002, to elect members to the Bundestag (lower house) of Germany. ... Cardinal Bishops, or Cardinals of the Episcopal Order, are among the most important persons in the Roman Catholic Church. ... Papal Arms of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal tiara was replaced with a bishops mitre, and pallium of the Pope was added beneath the coat of arms. ...


Geography

The Bavarian Alps
The Bavarian Alps

Bavaria shares international borders with Austria and the Czech Republic as well as with Switzerland (across Lake Constance). Neighbouring states within Germany are Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony. Two major rivers flow through the state, the Danube (Donau) and the Main. The Bavarian Alps define the border with Austria, and within the range is the highest peak in Germany, the Zugspitze. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (896x600, 78 KB) Summary The Bavarian countryside and Alps as seen from the Romantic road. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (896x600, 78 KB) Summary The Bavarian countryside and Alps as seen from the Romantic road. ... Map of the Bodensee; Schweiz is Switzerland, Deutschland is Germany, and Osterreich is Austria. ... Baden-Württemberg is a federal state in southwestern Germany to the east of the Upper Rhine. ... Hesse (German: Hessen) is a state of Germany with an area of 21,110 km² and just over six million inhabitants. ... The Free State of Thuringia (German: Freistaat Thüringen) is located in central Germany and is considered one of the smaller of Germanys sixteen Bundesländer (federal states), with an area of 16,200 km² and 2. ... The Free State of Saxony (German: Freistaat Sachsen; Sorbian: Swobodny Stat Sakska) is the easternmost federal state of Germany. ... The Danube (ancient Danuvius, ancient Greek Istros) is the longest river of the European Union and Europes second-longest[3] (after the Volga). ... Map showing the position of the Main in Germany The Main (pronounced in German like the English word mine) is a river in Germany, 524 km long (including White Main 574 km), and one of the more significant tributaries of the Rhine river. ... The Zugspitze (Zug=draught, Spitze=peak) is NOT the highest mountain in Germany. ...


The major cities in Bavaria are Munich (München), Nuremberg (Nürnberg), Augsburg, Regensburg, Würzburg, Ingolstadt, Fürth and Erlangen. Coordinates: Time zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country: Germany State: Bavaria Administrative region: Upper Bavaria District: Urban district City subdivisions: 25 borroughs Lord Mayor: Christian Ude (SPD) Governing parties: SPD / Greens / Rosa Liste Basic Statistics Area: 310. ... Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg) is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. ... Augsburg is a city in south-central Germany. ... Regensburg (also Ratisbon, Latin Ratisbona) is a city (population 129,175 in 2005) in Bavaria, south-east Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. ... Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. ... Ingolstadt is a city in the Federal State of Bavaria, Germany. ... South part of the city, seen from the Alte Veste (Zirndorf), 2004 The city of Fürth is located in northern Bavaria, Germany in the district of Middle Franconia. ... Erlangen around 1915 Erlangen is a German city in Middle Franconia. ...


See also: List of places in Bavaria. This is a list of geographical features in the state of Bavaria, Germany. ...


Politics

Bavaria has a unicameral Landtag, or state parliament, elected by universal suffrage. Until December 1999, there was also a Senat, or Senate, whose members were chosen by social and economic groups in Bavaria, but following a referendum in 1998, this institution was abolished. The head of government is the Minister-President. Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or parliamentary chamber. ... The Landtag of Bavaria is Bavarias unicameral legislature. ... A senate is a deliberative body, often the upper house or chamber of a legislature. ... A minister-president (Ministerpräsident) is the head of government of a German federal state; the office corresponds to the governorship of a state in the United States. ...


Bavaria has long been a bastion of conservative politics in Germany, with the Christian Social Union having almost a monopoly on power since its inception in 1946. Every Minister-President since 1957 has been a member of this party. The Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU – ) is a conservative Germany. ...


In 1995 the Bavarians decided to introduce direct democracy on the local level in a referendum. This was initiated bottom-up by an association called Mehr Demokratie (More Democracy). This is a grass-roots organisation which campaigns for the right to citizen-initiated referenda. In 1997 the Bavarian Supreme Court aggravated the regulations considerably (e.g. by introducing a turn-out quorum). Nevertheless, Bavaria has the most advanced regulations on local direct democracy in Germany. This has led to a spirited citizens’ participation in communal and municipal affairs - 835 referenda took place from 1995 through 2005. Direct democracy, classically termed pure democracy,[1] comprises a form of democracy and theory of civics wherein sovereignty is lodged in the assembly of all citizens who choose to participate. ... Ballots of the Argentine plebiscite of 1984 on the border treaty with Chile A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ...


In the 2003 elections the CSU won more than two thirds of the seats in Landtag. No party in post-war West German history had achieved this before (not counting the rigged wins of the SED in East Germany). On the other hand the bigger and more liberal, or rather social democratic, cities, especially Munich, have been governed for decades by the SPD (Social Democrats). From the historical point of view, older Bavaria was one of the most liberal, even though predominantly Roman Catholic, states until the rather rural areas of Swabia and Franconia were added in 1814/15 at the Congress of Vienna. The Kingdom of Bavaria and the Duchy of Baden were the first German States to have a constitution in the early 19th Century. The logo of the SED The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) (German: Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands) was the governing party of East Germany from its formation in 1949 until the elections of 1990. ... GDR redirects here. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ...


September 21, 2003, state election

See also: Bavaria state election, 2003

Edmund Stoiber remained Minister-President, with the CSU forming a government without a coalition. The two-thirds majority of seats obtained by the CSU is the first one in any state parliament in Germany ever. The Bavaria state election, 2003, was conducted on September 21, 2003, to elect members to the Landtag (state legislature) of Bavaria. ... Edmund Stoiber in Würzburg Edmund Stoiber [IPA: ˈɛtmʊnt ˈʃtɔʏbɐ] (born September 28, 1941) is a German politician, currently minister-president of the state of Bavaria and chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU). ...

Party Party List votes Vote percentage (change) Total Seats (change) Seat percentage
Christian Social Union (CSU) 6,217,864 60.7% +7.8% 124 +1 68.9%
Social Democratic Party (SPD) 2,012,065 19.6% -9.1% 41 -26 22.8%
Alliance '90/The Greens 793,050 7.7% +2.0% 15 +1 8.3%
Free Democratic Party (FDP) 263,731 2.6% +0.9% 0 +0 0.0%
The Republicans 229,464 2.2% -1.4% 0 +0 0.0%
Free Voters of Bavaria 411,306 4.0% +0.3% 0 +0 0.0%
Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP) 200,103 2.0% +0.2% 0 +0 0.0%
All Others 120,952 1.2% -0.7% 0 +0 0.0%
Totals 10,248,735 100.0%   180 -24 100.0%
Seat results -- SPD in red, CSU in black, Greens in green
Seat results -- SPD in red, CSU in black, Greens in green


The Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU – ) is a conservative political party in Germany. ... SPD redirects here. ... Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (literally: Alliance 90/The Greens), the German Green Party, is a political party in Germany whose regional predecessors were founded in the late 1970s as part of the new social movements. ... The Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei - FDP) is a liberal political party in Germany. ... There is open debate on rather facism is rightwing or not. ... The Ecological Democratic Party (German: Ökologisch-Demokratische Partei, ÖDP) is an environmentalist political party in Germany. ... Image File history File links Results of the 2003 Landtag election in Bavaria SDP in red, CDU in black, Greens in green Created by Willhsmit. ... Image File history File links Results of the 2003 Landtag election in Bavaria SDP in red, CDU in black, Greens in green Created by Willhsmit. ...


Culture

Bavarian church with Alps in the background
Bavarian church with Alps in the background
Though only a very small part belongs to the Alps, the perception of Bavaria as an alpine region still endures.
Though only a very small part belongs to the Alps, the perception of Bavaria as an alpine region still endures.

Due to their long independence (until 1871), Bavarians have always maintained a strong national identity. Some features of the Bavarian culture and mentality are remarkably distinct from the rest of Germany. Noteworthy differences (especially in rural areas, less significant in the major cities) can be found with respect to: The West face of the Petit Dru above the Chamonix valley near the Mer de Glace. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (900x675, 380 KB) Summary I am the author, Michel May, 07. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (900x675, 380 KB) Summary I am the author, Michel May, 07. ... The West face of the Petit Dru above the Chamonix valley near the Mer de Glace. ...


Religion

Particularly in Older Bavaria and Lower Franconia the predominant faith is Roman Catholicism, contrasting with the more Lutheran in large parts of Franconia. This is expressed by the typical Bavarian and Austrian greeting: "Grüß Gott!" (God bless you). The current pope, Benedict XVI (Joseph Alois Ratzinger), was born in Marktl am Inn in Upper Bavaria. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century. ... Grüß Gott (God bless you, literally Great God) is a greeting, less often a farewell, in the Upper German Sprachraum, particularly in Catholic states. ... Papal Arms of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal tiara was replaced with a bishops mitre, and pallium of the Pope was added beneath the coat of arms. ... Marktl am Inn Marktl am Inn (Little Market on the Inn River), or simply Marktl, is a village and historic market municipality in the state of Bavaria, Germany, near the Austrian border, in the Altötting district of Upper Bavaria. ... Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south of Bavaria, around the city Munich. ...


Attitude towards traditions

Bavarians commonly emphasize pride in their traditions. Traditional costumes are worn on special occasions, century-old folk music is practised and dialect songs and poems are taught in nursery schools. The May Poles (which in the Middle Ages served as the community's yellow pages, as figurettes on the pole represent the trades of the village), and the bagpipes in the Upper Palatinate region bear witness to the ancient Celtic and Germanic remnants of cultural heritage of the region. Procession in Klagenfurt The eastern and central Alpine region is rich in traditions dating back to pagan times, the pre-Christian Germanic (1st millennium), or even the Celtic (1st millennium BC) period. ...


Food and drink

Bavarians tend to place a great value on food and drink. Bavarians also consume many items of food and drink which are unusual elsewhere in Germany, for example Weißwurst (white sausage). Beer in particular has always been regarded as a basic nutrient (Grundnahrungsmittel, or 'liquid bread'). Statistically, beer consumption per capita in Bavaria is higher than in the rest of Germany. At folk festivals, beer is traditionally served by the litre (the so-called Maß). Bavarians are particularly proud of the traditional purity law, initially established by the Duke of Bavaria in 1516. According to this law, only three ingredients were allowed in beer: water, barley, and hops. In 1906 the Reinheitsgebot made its way to German law and it is a law in Germany until today. Bavarians are also known as the most beerloving folk with an average annual consumption of 170 litres per person. Weißwurst (literally white sausage) is a traditional Bavarian sausage made from very finely minced veal and fresh pork bacon. ... The Maß (or Mass) is an Austro-Bavarian unit of volume, 1. ... The Reinheitsgebot (literally purity requirement) is a regulation that originated in the city of Ingolstadt in the duchy of Bavaria in 1516, concerning standards for the sale and composition of beer. ...

A village chapel in Franconia.
A village chapel in Franconia.

Download high resolution version (1260x1659, 253 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1260x1659, 253 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A chapel is a private church, usually small and often attached to a larger institution such as a college, a hospital, a palace, or a prison. ... The Franconian Rake is originally is a heraldic symbol of the bishops of Würzburg, who - though nominally Dukes of Franconia - only ruled in parts of Franconia. ...

Language and dialects

Bavarians are very proud of their marked dialects, and most of them speak with their Bavarian, Franconian or Swabian accent. As with traditions in general, cultivation of dialect and regional accent is not associated with backwardness, but is considered a strengthening of regional identity. A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος, dialektos) is a variety of a language used by people from a particular geographic area. ... The adjective Franconian (also Frankish) refers to three main meanings : Anything related to the Franks, an ancient Germanic people, although the adjective Frankish is more appropriate for that meaning. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...


Several German dialects are spoken in Bavaria. In the administrative regions to the north, the Franconian dialect is prevalent; in Swabia, the local dialect is Swabian, a thread of the Alemannic dialect family. In the Upper Palatinate, people speak Northern Bavarian dialects that can vary regionally. In Upper and Lower Bavaria, (Middle) Austro-Bavarian is the predominant dialect. A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος, dialektos) is a variety of a language used by people from a particular geographic area. ... Legend:  Dutch. ... Germany. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Alemannic German (Alemannisch) is a group of dialects of the Upper German branch of the Germanic language family. ... Austro-Bavarian or Bavarian is a major group of Upper German varieties. ...


Politics

The Christian Social Union, which has ruled in Bavaria uninterruptedly since 1957, does not seek election in any other state of Germany. The CSU, arguably the most inward looking of the major German political parties, combines socially conservative positions with advocacy for extensive involvement of the state in the economy. The Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU – ) is a conservative political party in Germany. ...


Social behavior

In comparison to the sometimes elaborate formality in other parts of Germany, Bavarians are known to be more egalitarian and folksy. [citation needed] Their sociability can be experienced at the annual Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival welcoming around 6 million visitors every year, or in the famous beer gardens. Genuine traditional Bavarian beer gardens work on a BYO basis, i.e. patrons bring their own food and only buy the chilled beer from the brewery that runs the beer garden. On hot Bavarian summer days and evenings, the long tables under shady chestnut trees are very popular and invite people to sit down next to complete strangers and share their food with them. Oktoberfest Main Entrance Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. ... A typical beer garden in Munich A beer garden is an open-air area where alcohol is legally served. ...


Administrative Divisions

Regierungsbezirke (Administrative regions)

Administrative Regions of Bavaria
Administrative Regions of Bavaria

Bavaria is divided into 7 administrative regions called Regierungsbezirke (singular Regierungsbezirk). Made by Self, Baverian Admin Districts File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Made by Self, Baverian Admin Districts File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

  1. Upper Franconia (German: Oberfranken)
  2. Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken)
  3. Lower Franconia (Unterfranken)
  4. Swabia (Schwaben)
  5. Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz)
  6. Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern)
  7. Lower Bavaria (Niederbayern)

These administrative regions consist of 71 administrative districts (called Landkreise, singular Landkreis) and 25 independent cities (kreisfreie Städte, singular kreisfreie Stadt). Oberfranken (Upper Franconia) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. ... Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. ... Unterfranken (Lower Franconia) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria (seven regions), Germany (32 regions). ... Swabia (German: Schwaben) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south-west of Bavaria. ... The Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of Bavaria. ... Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south of Bavaria, around the city Munich. ... Lower Bavaria (German Niederbayern) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of Bavaria. ...


Landkreise/kreisfreie Städte (Rural districts/urban districts)

Administrative districts of Bavaria
Administrative districts of Bavaria

Rural districts: Image File history File links Karte-Bayern-Landkreise. ... Image File history File links Karte-Bayern-Landkreise. ...

  1. Aichach-Friedberg
  2. Altötting
  3. Amberg-Sulzbach
  4. Ansbach
  5. Aschaffenburg
  6. Augsburg
  7. Bad Kissingen
  8. Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
  9. Bamberg
  10. Bayreuth
  11. Berchtesgadener Land
  12. Cham
  13. Coburg
  14. Dachau
  15. Deggendorf
  16. Dillingen
  17. Dingolfing-Landau
  18. Donau-Ries
  19. Ebersberg
  20. Eichstätt
  21. Erding
  22. Erlangen-Höchstadt
  23. Forchheim
  24. Freising
  1. Freyung-Grafenau
  2. Fürstenfeldbruck
  3. Fürth
  4. Garmisch-Partenkirchen
  5. Günzburg
  6. Haßberge
  7. Hof
  8. Kelheim
  9. Kitzingen
  10. Kronach
  11. Kulmbach
  12. Landsberg
  13. Landshut
  14. Lichtenfels
  15. Lindau
  16. Main-Spessart
  17. Miesbach
  18. Miltenberg
  19. Mühldorf
  20. Munich (München)
  21. Neuburg-Schrobenhausen
  22. Neumarkt
  23. Neustadt (Aisch)-Bad Windsheim
  24. Neustadt (Waldnaab)
  1. Neu-Ulm
  2. Nürnberger Land
  3. Oberallgäu
  4. Ostallgäu
  5. Passau
  6. Pfaffenhofen
  7. Regen
  8. Regensburg
  9. Rhön-Grabfeld
  10. Rosenheim
  11. Roth
  12. Rottal-Inn
  13. Schwandorf
  14. Schweinfurt
  15. Starnberg
  16. Straubing-Bogen
  17. Tirschenreuth
  18. Traunstein
  19. Unterallgäu
  20. Weilheim-Schongau
  21. Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen
  22. Wunsiedel
  23. Würzburg

Urban districts: Aichach_Friedberg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Altötting is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Amberg_Sulzbach is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Ansbach is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Aschaffenburg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Augsburg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Bad Kissingen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Bamberg Land is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Bayreuth is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Berchtesgadener Land is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Cham is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Coburg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Dachau is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Deggendorf is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Dillingen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Dingolfing-Landau is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Donau-Ries is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Ebersberg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Eichstätt is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Erding is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Erlangen-Höchstadt is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Forchheim is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Freising is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Freyung-Grafenau is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Fürstenfeldbruck is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Fürth is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Günzburg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Haßberge is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Hof is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Kelheim is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Kitzingen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Kronach is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Kulmbach is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Landsberg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Landshut is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Lichtenfels is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Lindau is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Main-Spessart is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Miesbach is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Miltenberg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Mühldorf is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Munich (German München) is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Neuburg-Schrobenhausen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Neumarkt is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Neustadt (Aisch)-Bad Windsheim is a district in Panda Stripe Village, Germany. ... Neustadt (Waldnaab) is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Neu-Ulm is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Nürnberger Land is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Oberallgäu is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Ostallgäu is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Passau is a district (Kreis) in the southeast of Bavaria. ... Pfaffenhofen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Regen is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Regensburg is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Rhön-Grabfeld is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Rosenheim is a Kreis (district) in the south of Bavaria, Germany. ... Roth is a district in Bavaria, Germany. ... Rottal-Inn is a Kreis (district) in the southeastern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Schwandorf is a Kreis (district) in the east part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Schweinfurt is a Kreis (district) in the northwestern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Starnberg is a Kreis (district) in the southern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Straubing-Bogen is a Kreis (district) in the eastern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Tirschenreuth is a Kreis (district) in the northeastern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Traunstein is a Kreis (district) in the southeastern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Unterallgäu is a Kreis (district) in the southwestern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Weilheim-Schongau is a Kreis (district) in the south of Bavaria, Germany. ... Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen is a Kreis (district) in the west of Bavaria, Germany. ... Wunsiedel is a Kreis (district) in the northeastern part of Bavaria, Germany. ... Würzburg is a Kreis (district) in the northwestern part of Bavaria, Germany. ...

  1. Amberg
  2. Ansbach
  3. Aschaffenburg
  4. Augsburg
  5. Bamberg
  6. Bayreuth
  7. Coburg
  8. Erlangen
  9. Fürth
  1. Hof
  2. Ingolstadt
  3. Kaufbeuren
  4. Kempten
  5. Landshut
  6. Memmingen
  7. Munich (München)
  8. Nuremberg (Nürnberg)
  9. Passau
  1. Regensburg
  2. Rosenheim
  3. Schwabach
  4. Schweinfurt
  5. Straubing
  6. Weiden
  7. Würzburg

Map of Germany showing Amberg (currently incorrect) Amberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. ... Ansbach, or Anspach, originally Onolzbach, is a town in Bavaria, Germany. ... Aschaffenburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. ... Augsburg is a city in south-central Germany. ... For other meanings, see Bamberg (disambiguation). ... Bayreuth [pronounced by-royt] is a town in northern Bavaria, Germany, on the Red Main river in a valley between the Frankish Alb and the Fichtelgebirge. ... Coburg is a city located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Central-West Germany. ... Erlangen around 1915 Erlangen is a German city in Middle Franconia. ... South part of the city, seen from the Alte Veste (Zirndorf), 2004 The city of Fürth is located in northern Bavaria, Germany in the district of Middle Franconia. ... Hof is a city located on the banks of the Saale in the northeastern corner of the German state of Bavaria, in the Franconia region, hard by the Czech border and the forested Fichtelgebirge and Frankenwald upland regions. ... Ingolstadt is a city in the Federal State of Bavaria, Germany. ... Kaufbeuren is an independent city in the Regierungsbezirk of Schwaben, southern Bavaria. ... Kempten is the capital of Allgäu, a region in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. ... Landshut is a city in Bavaria, Germany, the capital of the Niederbayern region. ... Memmingen is a town in the Bavarian administrative region Swabia in Germany. ... Coordinates: Time zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country: Germany State: Bavaria Administrative region: Upper Bavaria District: Urban district City subdivisions: 25 borroughs Lord Mayor: Christian Ude (SPD) Governing parties: SPD / Greens / Rosa Liste Basic Statistics Area: 310. ... Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg) is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. ... Old Town of Passau Passau (Latin: Batavia) is a town in Niederbayern, Eastern Bavaria, Germany, known also as Dreiflüssestadt (the City of three rivers), because the Danube River is joined there by the Inn River from the South, and the Ilz River coming out of the Bavarian Forest to... Regensburg (also Ratisbon, Latin Ratisbona) is a city (population 129,175 in 2005) in Bavaria, south-east Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. ... Rosenheim is a town in Bavaria (Germany) on the river Inn, at 47°51′ N 12°8′ E. It is seat of administration of the district of Rosenheim, but is not a part of it. ... Schwabach is a German city of about 40,000 inhabitants near Nuremberg in the middle of the Franconia district of Bavaria. ... Schweinfurt is a city in the Unterfranken region of Bavaria in Germany on the right bank of the canalized Main, which is here spanned by several bridges, 27 km North-East of Würzburg. ... Straubing is an independent city in Niederbayern. ... Weiden in der Oberpfalz (official name: Weiden i. ... Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. ...

Gemeinden (Municipalities)

The 71 administrative districts are on the lowest level divided into 2031 municipalities (called Gemeinden, singular Gemeinde). Together with the 25 independent cities (which are in effect municipalities independent of Landkreis administrations), there are a total of 2056 municipalities in Bavaria. A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly referring to a city, town, or village, or a small grouping of them. ...


In 44 of the 71 administrative districts, there are a total of 215 unincorporated areas (as of January 1, 2005, called gemeindefreie Gebiete, singular gemeindefreies Gebiet), not belonging to any municipality, all uninhabited, mostly forested areas, but also four lakes (Chiemsee -without islands, Starnberger See -without island Roseninsel, Ammersee, which are the three largest lakes of Bavaria, and Waginger See). In United States law, a region of land is unincorporated if it is not a part of any municipality. ... The Chiemsee is a freshwater lake in Bavaria, Germany, between the towns of Rosenheim and Salzburg. ... Lake Starnberg (German: Starnberger See) in southern Bavaria is one of Germanys largest lakes and a popular recreation area for the nearby city of Munich. ... Ammersee with German Alps Ammersee (Lake Ammer) is a lake in upper Bavaria, Germany located in the southwest of Munich between the towns of Herrsching and Diessen. ...


See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Bavaria
List of rulers of Bavaria
List of Premiers of Bavaria
Former countries in Europe after 1815
Extensive pictures of Bavaria in addition to those shown below are linked from in Category:Bavaria, where they are organized (predominantly) by locale.

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... The following is a list of rulers during the history of Bavaria: // Dukes of Bavaria, 548-1623 Agilolfing Dynasty (see also Bavarii) ca. ... This is a list of the men who have served in the capacity of Prime Minister or equivalent office in Bavaria from the mid-18th century to the present: Count Franz Joseph von Berchem 1745-1777 Count Matthäus von Vieregg 1777-1799 Count Maximilian Joseph von Montgelas 1799-1817... This article gives an overview of countries (including puppet-countries) that existed in Europe after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. ...

Historical Buildings

Miscellaneous

There are many famous people who were born or lived in present-day Bavaria:

The motorcycle and automobile makers BMW (Bayerische Motoren-Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works) and Audi, Grundig (consumer electronics), Lucent Technologies (telecommunications infrastructure), Siemens (electricity, telephones, informatics, medical instruments), Adidas and Puma have (or had) a Bavarian industrial base. Papal Arms of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal tiara was replaced with a bishops mitre, and pallium of the Pope was added beneath the coat of arms. ... The current Pope is Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger), who was elected at the age of 78 on 19 April 2005. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ... Self portrait Hans Holbein (c. ... Albrecht Dürer (pronounced /al. ... The Battle of Alexander (1529) Wood, 158,4 x 120,3 cm Alte Pinakothek, Munich Albrecht Altdorfer (c. ... Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515-1586) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Poor Poet, 1839. ... Franz von Lenbach, Portrait of his daughter Marion Young shepherd, 1860 Franz von Lenbach (December 13, 1836 - May 6, 1904), German painter was born at Schrobenhausen, in Bavaria. ... The Sin, 1893 Franz Stuck (1863 - 1928), German symbolist/expressionist painter, was born at Tettenweis, in Bavaria, and received his artistic training at the Munich Academy. ... August Macke. ... Composer Orlande de Lassus Orlande de Lassus (also Orlandus Lassus, Orlando di Lasso, Roland de Lassus, or Roland Delattre (1532 (possibly 1530) – June 14, 1594) was a Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. ... Christoph Willibald (von) Gluck (July 2, 1714 - November 15, 1787) was a German composer, one of the most important opera composers of the Classical music era, particularly remembered for Orfeo ed Euridice. ... Wilhelm Richard Wagner (Leipzig, May 22, 1813 – Venice, February 13, 1883) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or music dramas as he later came to call them). ... This article is about the German composer of tone-poems and operas. ... Carl Orff (July 10, 1895 – March 29, 1982) was a German composer, most famous for Carmina Burana (1937). ... Theobald Boehm (April 9, 1794- November 25, 1881) was a Bavarian inventor and musician, who perfected the modern flute and its improved fingering system, which has not changed since his time. ... The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... Klaus Doldinger 2004 Klaus Doldinger (born 12 May 1936) is a German saxophonist, especially well-known for jazz and as a composer of film music. ... Barbara Dennerlein (born 25 September 1964 in Munich, Germany), jazz musician, caused a revival of the Hammond organ’s popularity with her distinctive art of playing. ... There have been two splinters of the German rock group Amon Düül, of which the more famous is Amon Düül II. Formed out of the student movement of the 1960s, this latter version are generally considered to be founders of the German rock music scene and a seminal... Hans Sachs (September 5, 1494 - January 19, 1576) was a German meistersinger (mastersinger), poet, playwright and shoemaker. ... Jean Paul Jean Paul (March 21, 1763 – November 14, 1825), born Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, was a famous German humorist. ... Benjamin Franklin Wedekind (July 24, 1864 - March 9, 1918) was a German playwright. ... Christian Morgenstern (May 6, 1871–March 31, 1914) was a German author and poet. ... Oskar Maria Graf (born July 22, 1894 in Berg, Bavaria ; died June 28, 1967 in New York) was a German author. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Lion Feuchtwanger (pseudonym: J.L. Wetcheek) (7 July 1884 - 21 December 1958) was a German-Jewish novelist who was imprisoned in a French internment camp in Les Milles and later escaped to Los Angeles with the help of his wife, Marta. ... For other persons named Thomas Mann, see Thomas Mann (disambiguation). ... Klaus Mann at 12 years old. ... Golo Mann (27 March 1909 - 7 April 1994 Leverkusen), was the third child of the novelist Thomas Mann. ... Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck (April 23, 1858 – October 4, 1947) was a German physicist. ... Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (in English: William Conrad Roentgen) (March 27, 1845 – February 10, 1923) was a German physicist, of the University of Würzburg, who, on November 8, 1895, produced and detected electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range today known as x-rays or Röntgen Rays, an achievement... Werner Karl Heisenberg (December 5, 1901 – February 1, 1976) was a celebrated German physicist and Nobel laureate, one of the founders of quantum mechanics, and acknowledged to be one of the most important physicists of the twentieth century. ... Adam RIES Adam Ries (1492-March 30, 1559) was a German mathematician. ... Joseph von Fraunhofer Joseph von Fraunhofer (March 6, 1787 – June 7, 1826) was a German physicist. ... Georg Simon Ohm, (March 16, 1789 Erlangen, Germany - July 6, 1854, Munich) a German physicist, was born in Erlangen and educated at the university there. ... Carl Paul Gottfried von Linde (born 11 June 1842 in Berndorf (Oberfranken); died 16 November 1934 in Munich) was a German engineer who developed the basics of modern refrigeration technology. ... Albert Einstein ( ) (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist who is widely considered one of the greatest physicists of all time. ... Rudolf Ludwig Mössbauer (born January 31, 1929) is a German physicist who studied gamma rays from nuclear transitions. ... Robert Huber is a German biochemist and Nobel laureate. ... Martin Behaim (October 6, 1459 – July 29, 1507), or Behem, was a navigator and geographer of great pretensions. ... Alternative meaning: Claude L vi-Strauss, the French anthropologist. ... Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel (March 18, 1858 – September 30, 1913) was a German inventor, famous for the invention of the Diesel engine. ... Max Joseph von Pettenkofer (1818-1901), Bavarian chemist and hygienist, was born on the 3rd of December 1818 at Lichtenheim, near Neuburg. ... Sebastian Kneipp (May 17, 1821, Stephansried, Germany – June 17, 1897 in Wörishofen) was a Bavarian priest and one of the founders of the Naturopathic medicine movement. ... Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. ... Aloysius Alois Alzheimer (14 June 1864, Marktbreit, Bavaria - 19 December 1915, Breslau, now WrocÅ‚aw, Poland) was a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist and a colleague of Emil Kraepelin. ... Franz Anton Beckenbauer (born September 11, 1945) is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed der Kaiser (the emperor) because of his elegant style, his leadership qualities, his first name Franz (reminiscent of the Austrian emperors), and his dominance on the football pitch. ... Josef Sepp Maier (born February 28, 1944, Metten, Germany) is a former professional football goalkeeper. ... Gerd “Der Bomber” Müller (IPA—German: ) (born November 3, 1945 in Nördlingen) is a former West German football player. ... Paul Breitner (born September 5, 1951 in Kolbermoor, West Germany) was a German football player. ... Klaus Augenthaler is Coach of Bayer Leverkusen He is born 26. ... Lothar Herbert Matthäus (born 21 March 1961) is a German former football player and now manager. ... Rainer Werner Fassbinder (May 31, 1945 – June 10, 1982) was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor, one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema. ... Joseph Vilsmaier (1939 in Munich) is a German film director. ... Werner Herzog passionately singing a traditional Croatian ode of love to beautiful Serbian girls who he wants to take to Germany to have German babies with. ... Kaspar Hauser Kaspar Hauser or Casparus Hauser (April 30, 1812–December 17, 1833) was a mysterious foundling in 19th century Germany with suspected and theorised ties to the royal house of Baden. ... Memorial for the smith at Sendling (Munich), Lindwurmstraße opposite of Old Sendling Church St. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer with headquarters in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, and is an almost wholly owned (99. ... Grundig AG was a West German manufacturer of consumer electronics for home entertainment. ... On September 30, 1996, AT&T spun off its Systems and Technology units (AT&T Technologies, Inc. ... Siemens AG (FWB:SIE, NYSE: SI) is the worlds largest electronics company. ... For the JC Chasez single, see All Day Long I Dream About Sex. ... PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport (PUMA) is a large German-based multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes and other sportswear. ...


A famous annual festival is called Oktoberfest or October Festival. It was first celebrated in 1810 as a public feast when the Bavarian crown prince Ludwig married Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The celebration originally was designed as a feast for all members of the Bavarian Nation, who should celebrate the country and the crown. It only turned to a pure matter of boozing in the 20th century and is nowadays attended rather by tourists than by Bavarians. Munich locals often despise it. It is celebrated during the two weeks leading up to the first Sunday in October. Oktoberfest Main Entrance Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. ...


Bavaria has also given its name to a major Dutch brewery, Bavaria Brewery. A view of Baravia Brewery. ...


The meaning of the coat of arms

Modern coat of arms was designed by Eduard Ege, following heraldic traditions in 1946.

  • The Golden Lion: At the dexter chief, sable, a lion rampant Or, armed and langued gules. This represents the administrative region of Upper Palatinate.
  • The "Franconian Rake": At the sinister chief, per fess dancetty, gules and argent. This represents the administrative regions of Upper, Middle and Lower Franconia.
  • The Blue Panther: At the dexter base, argent, a panther rampant azure, armed Or and langued gules. This represents the regions of Lower and Upper Bavaria.
  • The Three Lions: At the sinister base, Or, three lions passant guardant sable, armed and langued gules. This represents Swabia.
  • The White-And-Blue Heart-Shaped Shield: The heart-shaped shield of white and blue fusils askance was originally the coat of arms of the Counts of Bogen, adopted in 1247 by the Wittelsbachs House. The white-and-blue fusils are indisputably the emblem of Bavaria and the heart-shaped shield today symbolizes Bavaria as a whole. Along with the People's Crown, it is officially used as the Minor Coat of Arms.
  • The People's Crown: The four coat fields with the heart-shaped shield in the centre are crowned with a golden band with precious stones decorated with five ornamental leaves. This crown appeared for the first time in the coat of arms in 1923 to symbolize sovereignty of the people after the dropping out of the royal crown.

Arms of the Bavarian electorate 1753: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bayern1753.jpg


Arms of the Kingdom of Bavaria 1807: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bayern1807.jpg


Arms of the Kingdom of Bavaria 1835: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bayern1835.jpg


Bavarian "citizenship"

The fact that unlike all other German Länder, Bavaria's constitution provides for Bavarian citizenship is often mentioned as an indicator for Bavarian distinctiveness. Some Bavarians are keen to emphasize that - in accordance with the generous indication of the constitution - they regard everyone Citizenship is membership in a political community (originally a city but now usually a country) and carries with it rights to political participation; a person having such membership is a citizen. ...

  • born in Bavaria,
  • born to a Bavarian parent,
  • adopted by a Bavarian as a child,
  • married to a Bavarian, or
  • naturalized in Bavaria,

as a fellow-Bavarian; some of those falling under this untechnical definition express pride in being "Bavarian". However, state legislation regulating citizenship procedures has never been enacted, the constitution itself provides that all Germans enjoy the same rights as Bavarian citizens, and no office issues certificates concerning a "Bavarian" citizenship. Thus, the notion of citizenship rather bears a folkloristic, but not really political meaning.


However, many of those born in Bavarian clearly divide between born Bavarians and people that only moved to Bavaria. The nickname for all those who came to Bavaria is "Zuagroaste" ("those who have traveled here").


Many people in the northern part of Bavaria see themselves as Franconians and do therefore not like to be called "Bavarians". They have a separate dialect and don't wear traditional Bavarian clothing.


German-Bavarian relations

It is a common joke in Germany that Bavaria is not part of Germany. In fact a minority seriously agree with this notion; the Bayernpartei (Bavaria Party) advocates Bavarian independence from Germany. It is important to note that Bavaria was the only state to reject the West German constitution in 1949. However this has had no consequences on its implementation. The Bavaria Party (German: Bayernpartei) is a political party in the state of Germany. ... // The Basic Law (German: Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is the constitution[1] of modern Germany. ...


Population and area

Administrative Region Population (2005) Area (km²) No. municipalities
Lower Bavaria 1,196,923 9.6% 10,330 14.6% 258 12.5%
Lower Franconia 1,341,481 10.8% 8,531 12.1% 308 15.0%
Upper Franconia 1,101,390 8.8% 7,231 10.2% 214 10.4%
Middle Franconia 1,712,275 13.7% 7,245 10.3% 210 10.2%
Upper Palatinate 1,089,543 8.7% 9,691 13.7% 226 11.0%
Swabia 1,788,919 14.3% 9,992 14.2% 340 16.5%
Upper Bavaria 4,238,195 33.8% 17,530 24.8% 500 24.3%
Total 12,468,726 100.0% 70,549 100.0% 2,056 100.0%

Lower Bavaria (German Niederbayern) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of Bavaria. ... Unterfranken (Lower Franconia) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria (seven regions), Germany (32 regions). ... Oberfranken (Upper Franconia) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. ... Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. ... The Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of Bavaria. ... Swabia (German: Schwaben) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south-west of Bavaria. ... Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south of Bavaria, around the city Munich. ...

Bavarian Culture Overseas

The Bavarians take great pride in their culture. Traditions are taught to the children and descendants of Bavarian citizens through literature, music and cultural events. Whether actually in Bavaria, overseas or full citizens of other nations they continue to cultivate their traditions. They hold festivals and dances to keep their traditions alive.


In New York the German American Cultural Society is a larger umbrella group for others such as the Bavarian organizations, which represent a specific part of Germany. They proudly put forth a German Parade each year. Various affiliated events take place amongst its groups, one of which is the Bavarian Dancers.


Abroad, i.e. outside of Germany, especially in the United States and Asia, traditional elements of Bavarian culture, such as the Oktoberfest and the sporting of traditional costumes are often wrongly equated with German culture as a whole. World map showing the location of Asia. ... Oktoberfest Main Entrance Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. ...


External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Bavaria


Coordinates: 49°00′N 11°30′E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...


  Results from FactBites:
 
List of rulers of Bavaria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (522 words)
Following the death of the last Duke of Lower Bavaria, Bavaria was reunited under Emperor Louis IV (Louis IV of Bavaria).
On the death of Meinhard, Upper Bavaria was divided between Bavaria-Straubing and Bavaria-Landshut.
In 1623, Elector Maximilian I of Bavaria was raised to Electoral Status, gaining the seat of the Elector Palatine, who had been put under the ban of the Empire.
Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (216 words)
Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria (October 31, 1636 - May 26, 1679) was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and an elector (Kurfürst) of the Holy Roman Empire from 1651 to 1679.
He was the eldest son of Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria - whom he succeeded, and his second wife Maria Anna of Austria, daughter of the emperor Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor.
The Theatiner Church in Munich was built from 1663 onwards as a gesture of thanks for the birth of the long-awaited heir to the Bavarian crown, Prince Max Emanuel.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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