Berlin

Key facts

• State capital: Berlin
• Population: 3.8 million
• Area: approx. 891 km²
• Unemployment rate: 10.2%

Berlin is both a city-state and the capital of Germany. The city is divided into 12 districts. Landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz enjoy international recognition. Numerous exhibitions, film festivals, folk festivals, and artistic events characterize the image of the metropolis.

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Brandenburg

Key facts

• State capital: Potsdam
• Population: approx. 2.5 million
• Area: approx. 29,478 km²

Brandenburg completely surrounds Berlin and is characterized by a mix of vast landscapes, lakes, and historic cities. The federal state consists of 14 counties and several independent cities. Economically, it relies on agriculture as well as industrial and research centers in the Berlin metropolitan area. The capital Potsdam is rich in culture and history – the world-famous Sanssouci Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is particularly notable.

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Baden-Württemberg

Key facts

• State capital: Stuttgart
• Population: 11.2 million
• Area: 35,751 km²
• Unemployment rate: 4.5%

Baden-Württemberg is located in southwestern Germany, a federal state with diverse natural landscapes. To the west lies the Black Forest, to the south are Lake Constance and the Alps, to the east the Swabian Alb, and to the north the Hohenlohe region and Kraichgau. Baden-Württemberg is one of Germany's economically strongest federal states. Major automotive companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi have their headquarters here. Culturally, the federal state offers numerous historic cities, magnificent castles, and renowned universities, including the Universities of Heidelberg and Tübingen, which are internationally recognized for research and teaching.

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Bavaria

Key facts

• State capital: Munich
• Population: 13.1 million
• Area: 70,550 km²
• Unemployment rate: 4.1%

Bavaria is located in southeastern Germany and is economically one of the strongest federal states. The capital Munich is significant in the fields of banking, insurance, tourism, and entertainment. Culturally, Bavaria offers, in addition to the world-famous Oktoberfest, numerous museums, theaters, and opera houses as well as historic cities such as Nuremberg and Regensburg. The region is characterized by a high quality of life and well-developed infrastructure.

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Lower Saxony

Key facts

• State capital: Hanover
• Population: approx. 8 million
• Area: approx. 47,710 km²
• Unemployment rate: 6.2%

Lower Saxony is the second-largest federal state in Germany by area after Bavaria. The capital and seat of the state government is Hanover. The state is divided into 38 counties and 8 independent cities. The most important cities include Brunswick, Osnabrück, Göttingen, Hildesheim, Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Wolfsburg, and Lüneburg. Geographically, Lower Saxony extends over flat land, making it a significant agricultural area. An economic highlight is the Volkswagen automotive group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg. Hanover also hosts numerous international trade fairs annually, making the city an important business location.

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Hamburg

Key facts

• State capital: Hamburg
• Population: approx. 1.8 million
• Area: approx. 755 km²
• Unemployment rate: 8.3%

Hamburg, like Berlin, is not only a city but also a federal state. The metropolitan region located in northern Germany is the second-largest city in the country by area and is home to Germany's largest port. Hamburg is known for its numerous waterways and approximately 2,500 bridges. The city is divided into seven administrative districts: Hamburg-Mitte, Altona, Eimsbüttel, Hamburg-Nord, Wandsbek, Bergedorf, and Harburg, which together comprise 105 neighborhoods. Economically, the city is heavily involved in the consumer goods industry, aviation, chemicals and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, the petroleum industry, the banking sector, and the publishing industry.

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North Rhine-Westphalia

Key facts

• State capital: Düsseldorf
• Population: approx. 18 million
• Area: approx. 34,112 km²
• Unemployment rate: 7.9%

North Rhine-Westphalia is located in western Germany and is the most populous federal state. It is administratively divided into five governmental districts: Arnsberg, Detmold, Düsseldorf (the capital), Cologne, and Münster. The federal state comprises 31 counties and 22 independent cities. North Rhine-Westphalia is known for its steel and coal industry and is considered one of Germany's economically strongest federal states. For international professionals, the region offers diverse employment opportunities in industry, services, and healthcare.

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Saarland

Key facts

• State capital: Saarbrücken
• Population: approx. 1 million
• Area: approx. 2,571 km²
• Unemployment rate: 7.5%

Saarland is the smallest federal state in Germany and is located in the southwest of the country. It has approximately one million inhabitants. The region describes itself as a significant IT location due to numerous renowned research institutes in the IT sector. Administratively, Saarland is divided into six counties, with the capital Saarbrücken being the largest city. The federal state is one of the most forested regions in Germany. It is characterized by industries in the fields of metal processing, automobile production, and software development, which form the foundation of its economy.

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Rhineland-Palatinate

Key facts

• State capital: Mainz
• Population: approx. 4.1 million
• Area: approx. 19,858 km²
• Unemployment rate: 5.5%

Rhineland-Palatinate is located in western Germany and has an economic foundation that is heavily based on agriculture. The region is known for its viticulture and accounts for two-thirds of Germany's total wine production. The federal state extends from the vineyards along the Rhine to the Moselle and is characterized by river valleys and low mountain landscapes. Administratively, Rhineland-Palatinate is divided into 24 counties and 12 independent cities. The most important cities besides the capital Mainz include Koblenz, Kaiserslautern, Trier, and Ludwigshafen. Trier is considered Germany's oldest city and is home to significant Roman architectural monuments that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

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Bremen

Key facts

• State capital: Bremen
• Population: approx. 0.7 million
• Area: approx. 419 km²
• Unemployment rate: 11.7%

Bremen is one of the smallest federal states in Germany and is located in the north of the country. Like Berlin and Hamburg, it is a city-state and comprises two cities: Bremen and Bremerhaven, which are approximately 60 kilometers apart. This special structure makes Bremen the only two-city state in Germany. Bremen is home to Germany's second-largest export port after Hamburg, which plays a central role in the economy. The Hanseatic city of Bremen is known for its long history as a port and trading city, the aerospace industry, as well as significant trading and logistics companies. Culturally, Bremen is known for the Town Musicians of Bremen fairy tale and the historic old town with the market square and the Roland statue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Hesse

Key facts

• State capital: Wiesbaden
• Population: approx. 6.2 million
• Area: approx. 21,115 km²
• Unemployment rate: 5.8%

Hesse is one of Germany's economically strongest federal states and is divided into three governmental districts: Darmstadt, Giessen, and Kassel. These are subdivided into 21 counties and five independent cities. The most important economic metropolis is Frankfurt am Main, which is considered the country's economic center and is home to Germany's largest airport. Most major banks, insurance companies, and service providers have their headquarters in Frankfurt, making the city an international financial center. In addition to its economic significance, Hesse offers diverse landscapes from the Rhine-Main region to the Taunus, Vogelsberg, and Rhön mountains.

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Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Key facts

• State capital: Schwerin
• Population: approx. 1.6 million
• Area: approx. 23,295 km²
• Unemployment rate: 8.4%

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is a federal state in northeastern Germany on the Baltic Sea and is characterized by diverse nature and a flat, expansive landscape. Administratively, the federal state is divided into six counties and two independent cities, with Schwerin as the capital and Rostock as the largest coastal city. The region is less industrialized than other federal states, with tourism, maritime economy, and renewable energies representing important economic sectors. Culturally, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is known for its numerous castles, manor houses, and historic Hanseatic cities.

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Schleswig-Holstein

Key facts

• State capital: Kiel
• Population: approx. 2.9 million
• Area: approx. 15,900 km²
• Unemployment rate: 6.1%

The federal state of Schleswig-Holstein is located in the far north of Germany and is divided into eleven counties and four independent cities. As the only German federal state, Schleswig-Holstein borders two seas: the Baltic Sea to the east and the North Sea to the west. Other important cities besides the capital Kiel include Lübeck, Flensburg, and Neumünster. The state's economy is heavily based on agriculture, as most areas are flat and fertile. Fishing also plays a significant role due to the location between the two seas. Maritime economy, wind energy, and the Kiel Canal as an important shipping route are other defining economic factors of the region.

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Saxony

Key facts

• State capital: Dresden
• Population: approx. 4.1 million
• Area: approx. 18,449 km²
• Unemployment rate: 7%

The federal state of Saxony is located in eastern Germany with three administrative districts: Dresden (the capital), Chemnitz, and Leipzig. Saxony is divided into ten counties and three independent cities. The federal state is a popular travel destination; Dresden and Leipzig in particular are among the most visited cities in Germany. Culture plays a significant role – over 400 museums testify to the region's rich history and diversity. Economically, Saxony has developed into a significant location for microelectronics, the automotive industry, and mechanical engineering since reunification.

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Saxony-Anhalt

Key facts

• State capital: Magdeburg
• Population: approx. 2.1 million
• Area: approx. 20,456 km²
• Unemployment rate: 8.1%

Saxony-Anhalt is located in central Germany and is administratively divided into eleven counties and three independent cities. Other important cities besides the capital Magdeburg include Dessau-Roßlau and Halle (Saale). The region is rich in cultural history and is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Bauhaus in Dessau, the Luther Memorial Sites, and Naumburg Cathedral. Economically, Saxony-Anhalt faces structural challenges but is increasingly investing in innovation and skilled worker recruitment.

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Thuringia

Key facts

• State capital: Erfurt
• Population: approx. 2.1 million
• Area: approx. 16,202 km²
• Unemployment rate: 6.5%

Thuringia is located in the geographic center of Germany and is administratively divided into 17 counties and six independent cities. After the capital Erfurt, Gera, Jena, and Weimar are the most important cities. Weimar is of particular importance as a cultural city and was the place of work for Goethe and Schiller as well as the founding location of the Weimar Republic. Thuringia has extensive agricultural areas and is known for its optical and precision mechanics industry. Economically, Thuringia offers international professionals opportunities particularly in research, technology, and manufacturing, with the federal state investing in the expansion of its infrastructure.