16 is the number of German provinces, which are known in German as “Bundesländer”. Each state has its own government and parliament. States have broad powers in areas such as education, culture, policing, justice, and local taxation.
The German provinces are:
- Baden-Württemberg
- Bavaria
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Hessen
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Rheinland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz)
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Thüringen
1. Baden-Württemberg:
- Location: Southwest Germany, bordering France and Switzerland.
- Population: about 11.1 million.
- It is known for its advanced industries, particularly in the automotive industry (Mercedes-Benz and Porsche), and high technology. It is also famous for its natural beauty, including the Black Forest and the Lake Constance region.
2. Bavaria (Bayern):
- Location: Southeastern Germany, bordering Austria and the Czech Republic.
- Population: about 13.1 million.
- The largest state in Germany. It is famous for its ancient Bavarian traditions, including the Oktoberfest, and its fairytale castles such as Neuschwanstein. It also features the picturesque Bavarian Alps.
3. Berlin:
- Location: Northeastern Germany, and is considered an independent city-state.
- Population: about 3.8 million.
- The capital and largest city of Germany. An important political, cultural and economic center. It is famous for its rich history, and famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island.
4. Brandenburg:
- Location: Surrounds Berlin on all sides.
- Population: about 2.5 million.
- It is considered a largely rural area, characterized by its many lakes and forests. It includes the historic city of Potsdam, which was the residence of the Kings of Prussia.
5. Bremen:
- Location: Northwest Germany, and is considered an independent city-state.
- Population: about 680 thousand people.
- An important coastal city, it includes the port of Bremerhaven, one of the largest ports in Germany. It is famous for its rich maritime history and the picturesque old Schnoor neighbourhood.
6. Hamburg:
- Location: Northern Germany, and is considered an independent city-state.
- Population: about 1.9 million.
- Germany's second largest city and the port of Hamburg is the second largest in Europe. It is famous for its many canals and bridges, earning it the nickname “Venice of the North”.
7. Hessen:
- Location: Central West Germany.
- Population: about 6.3 million.
- It includes the city of Frankfurt, the financial center of Germany and Europe. It is known for its beautiful countryside, including the Taunus Mountains and the Rhine River region.
8. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern:
- Location: Northeastern Germany, on the Baltic Sea coast.
- Population: about 1.6 million.
- It is considered a popular tourist area, thanks to its many beaches and lakes. It includes historic cities such as Rostock and Stralsund.
9. Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen):
- Location: Northwest Germany, on the North Sea coast.
- Population: about 8 million.
- The second largest German province in terms of area. It is known for its diverse countryside, including the Lüneburg Heath and the Harz Mountains. It includes the city of Hanover, the provincial capital.
10. North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen):
- Location: Western Germany, on the border with the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Population: about 17.9 million.
- Germany's most populous province. An important industrial area, it includes large cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen and Dortmund.
11. Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz):
- Location: Southwest Germany, on the border with France and Luxembourg.
- Population: about 4.1 million.
12. Saarland:
- Location: Southwest Germany, on the border with France.
- Population: about 990 thousand people.
- The smallest German province in terms of area and population (excluding city-states).
13. Saxony (Sachsen):
- Location: Eastern Germany, bordering Poland and the Czech Republic.
- Population: about 4 million.
14. Saxony-Anhalt:
- Location: Eastern Germany.
- Population: about 2.2 million.
15. Schleswig-Holstein:
- Location: The northernmost part of Germany, on the border with Denmark.
- Population: about 2.9 million.
16. Thüringen:
- Location: Central Germany.
- Population: about 2.1 million.
Ranking of Germany's provinces by area
- Bavaria: 70,550.19 km²
- Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen): 47,624.22 km²
- Baden-Württemberg: 35,751.65 square kilometers
- North Rhine-Westphalia: 34,110.26 km²
- Brandenburg: 29,654.16 square kilometers
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 23,211.05 km²
- Hessen: 21,114.94 square kilometers
- Saxony-Anhalt: 20,451.58 square kilometres
- Rhineland-Palatinate: 19,853.36 square kilometres
- Thuringia: 16,202.36 km²
- Schleswig-Holstein: 15,804.38 square kilometres
- Saxony: 18,450.00 km²
- Saarland: 2,569.69 km²
Source: Germany
