Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is a coastal state in northern Germany, and it is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany. It includes most of the old Duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig. The state borders Denmark, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and the city-state of Hamburg. Its capital is Kiel, and other important cities are Lübeck and Flensburg. With an area of 15,763 km² (6,086 sq mi), it is the fifth smallest German federal state.

Historically, Schleswig, known as South Jutland, was under Danish control since the fifth century. In the 12th century, it became a duchy within Denmark, while Holstein was part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1460, the King of Denmark ruled both areas as their duke. In the 19th century, both Danes and Germans claimed Schleswig-Holstein, leading to the Schleswig-Holstein Question. This dispute resulted in two wars: the First Schleswig War in 1848 and the Second Schleswig War in 1864. After these wars, the territory became part of Prussia in 1867.

Following World War I, plebiscites in 1920 decided that North Schleswig would return to Denmark and become South Jutland. After World War II, Schleswig-Holstein took in over a million refugees. Today, the state is known for its agriculture, especially Holstein cows, and its position on the Atlantic Ocean makes it important for trade and shipbuilding. The Kiel Canal is located here, and the region also has offshore oil wells and wind farms. Fishing is a key industry, helping create a unique local cuisine, and the area is a popular tourist destination.

History

Main article: History of Schleswig-Holstein

The land we now call Schleswig-Holstein has a long and interesting history. The name "Holstein" comes from an old group of people called the Holsts, who lived between the Stör River and the city of Hamburg. Later, Holstein became part of a big group of countries called the Holy Roman Empire.

Schleswig used to be a city and later became a region that was closely tied to Denmark. Over time, both Schleswig and Holstein were ruled by Danish kings, but Holstein was also part of the Holy Roman Empire. This created a special situation where one king ruled both places.

During different times in history, people from many cultures lived in this area, including Danes, Germans, and others. There were times of peace and times of conflict as different groups wanted to control the land or decide who should rule it. Today, Schleswig-Holstein is a state in Germany, but its history shows how many different cultures and countries have influenced the area over the centuries.

Geography

See also: List of places in Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is a beautiful coastal state in northern Germany, sitting between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. It shares borders with Denmark to the north, and the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the south.

The landscape includes calm lowlands, rolling hills, and many lakes, especially in areas like Holstein Switzerland. The North Frisian Islands and parts of the North Sea coast make up the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, one of the largest national parks in Europe. The state's highest point is the Bungsberg, reaching 168 metres above sea level. Notable islands include Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, Fehmarn, Pellworm, and Heligoland.

Administration

Schleswig-Holstein is divided into 11 Kreise (Districts) and four Kreisfreie Städte (Urban Districts). The state has its own parliament and government, located in the capital city of Kiel. The Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein is elected by the Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein. State elections were held on 8 May 2022, and the current government is a coalition led by Daniel Günther.

Demographics

Schleswig-Holstein has an aging population. In 2016, the number of births was 25,420, while the number of deaths was 33,879, which means there were fewer babies born than people who passed away that year.

Most people in Schleswig-Holstein have been Protestant since the time of the Protestant Reformation. In 2018, about 44.6% of the people belonged to the Protestant Church in Germany, and 6.1% were part of the Catholic Church. Around 49.3% of people either followed other religions or did not practice any religion.

Culture

Schleswig-Holstein is a place where Danish, Frisian, and German cultures mix. You can see this in old castles, special meals like Rødgrød, and even in family names such as Hansen.

Some of the biggest events here are Kiel Week, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival for classical music, and the Lübeck Nordic Film Days for movies from Scandinavian countries. The Wacken Open Air festival is famous as one of the world's largest heavy metal music events.

Symbols

The coat of arms of Schleswig-Holstein shows two lions for Schleswig and a nettle leaf for Holstein. There is a story that Otto von Bismarck decided the lions should face the nettle to avoid discomfort.

The motto of Schleswig-Holstein is "Up ewich ungedeelt" which means "Forever undivided." This motto comes from an old treaty from 1460. The famous song of the region is called "Wanke nicht, mein Vaterland" and is often known by its first line, "Schleswig-Holstein meerumschlungen" meaning "Schleswig-Holstein embraced by the seas." The historic city of Lübeck is a World Heritage Site.

Food and drink

Schleswig-Holstein food often mixes sweet flavors with sour or salty ones. Popular dishes include:

• Birnen, Bohnen und Speck made with pears, beans, savory, parsley, bacon, and potatoes
• Holsteiner Sauerfleisch, a sour meat dish
• Holsteiner Katenschinken, a special kind of smoked ham
• Nordseekrabben, small crabs used in many dishes
• Smoked Kieler Sprotten
• Fish like Flatfish and Herring
• Grünkohl, a special cabbage dish enjoyed in winter, often with Mettenden or Kassler
• Lübecker Marzipan, a sweet made from almonds
• Lakritz, a type of candy with a strong flavor
• Lübecker Rotspon, a special Bordeaux wine
• Flensburger Rum-Verschnitt, a mix of rum with other liquids

Languages

The main language in Schleswig-Holstein is German. You can also hear Low German, Danish, and North Frisian in some areas. These languages have a long history here, though German is now used in most everyday situations.

Economy

The economy of Schleswig-Holstein is strong and varied. In 2018, the state’s total economy was worth about 62.7 billion euros, making up almost 2% of Germany’s entire economy. On average, people in the state earn enough to be about equal to the rest of Europe.

Schleswig-Holstein leads in using clean energy. By 2014, the whole state got all of its electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, and plants. By 2023, it was even making more clean energy than it needed and sharing it with others.

The state is also known for its farming, especially for growing crops like wheat and raising animals like cows. It has big companies in shipbuilding, making medical tools, and chemical products. Tourism is important too, with many visitors coming to enjoy its beaches and islands.

Transport

Kiel Canal

Main article: Kiel Canal

The Kiel Canal is a key waterway in Schleswig-Holstein, linking Brunsbüttel on the North Sea to Kiel on the Baltic Sea. Cargo traffic peaked in 2007 and 2012 but has since decreased, with about 73.8 million tonnes passing through in 2020.

Ports

Schleswig-Holstein has 46 ports and landing spots, with four handling major international shipping: Kiel, Lübeck / Travemünde, Puttgarden on the Baltic Sea, and Brunsbüttel on the North Sea. Kiel and Lübeck are busy with goods going to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Lübeck-Travemünde and Kiel are popular for ferries and cruises. Puttgarden connects to Denmark, and Brunsbüttel is important for large shipments and wind energy projects.

Air

Lübeck Airport and Sylt Airport are the two airports in Schleswig-Holstein. The closest big international airport is Hamburg Airport, about 89 km south of Kiel.

Education

In Schleswig-Holstein, children start their school journey with a four-year primary school called Grundschule. All children who turn six years old by June 30th must go to school. After primary school, students move on to secondary school, which includes two types of schools: Gemeinschaftsschulen and Gymnasium. At Gemeinschaftsschulen, students can earn a certificate called Mittlere Reife. Some schools also offer three more years of schooling so students can earn the Abitur, a qualification for entering higher education, after 13 years in total.

Most Gymnasium schools take nine years to reach the Abitur, but one special school can finish in just eight years. Three Gymnasien offer both three-year and two-year paths to the Abitur. Another way to earn the Abitur is through a Berufliches Gymnasium, where students can pick a subject area like agricultural economics, nutrition, technology, economics, or health and social care.

Schleswig-Holstein has three universities in Kiel, Lübeck, and Flensburg, along with several Universities of Applied Sciences in Wedel, Altenholz, Flensburg, Heide, Kiel, and Lübeck. There are also special schools for music and art.

Honorary citizens

Schleswig-Holstein has recognized some special people as honorary citizens. These include former leaders of the state and country, a well-known writer, an actor, a businessman, and a philanthropist. Many of these honorary citizens have made important contributions to the culture and community of Schleswig-Holstein.