Bavaria: Country Or Not?

Bavaria, officially the Free State of Bavaria, is a state in the southeast of Germany. It is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total land area of Germany, and is the second most populous German state. The history of Bavaria includes its earliest settlement by Iron Age Celtic tribes, followed by the conquests of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC, when the territory was incorporated into the provinces of Raetia and Noricum. It became the Duchy of Bavaria in the 6th century AD following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. It was later incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire, became the independent Kingdom of Bavaria after 1806, joined the Prussian-led German Empire in 1871 while retaining its title of kingdom, and finally became a state of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949.

Bavaria's history includes settlement by Celtic tribes, Roman conquest, and later becoming a Holy Roman Empire part

Bavaria is not a country, but a state of the Federal Republic of Germany. However, its history is long and complex, stretching back to its earliest settlement by Celtic tribes such as the Boii. By the 1st century BC, the region had been conquered and incorporated into the Roman Empire as the provinces of Raetia and Noricum. The Romans built flourishing colonies in the south at Augsburg, Kempten, Regensburg, and Passau.

In the 5th century, the Romans in Noricum and Raetia came under increasing pressure from people north of the Danube, including Suebian groups. The area became inhabited by Germanic tribes, including the Baiovarii (Bavarians), who settled in the south between 488 and 520 CE and gave the territory its name. The Bavarians are believed to have incorporated elements from several Germanic peoples, as well as possibly including non-Germanic Romance people (romanized Celtic people).

In the 7th and 8th centuries, Bavaria was Christianized by Irish and Scottish monks. Charlemagne incorporated Bavaria into the Carolingian Empire for a short time in 788 CE. In the 10th century, Bavaria became a part of the Holy Roman Empire. During this period, the Bavarians were constantly ravaged and nearly depopulated by Hungarian invasions. In 955 CE, Otto I permanently checked Hungarian ambitions in Bavaria at the Battle of Lechfeld.

The history of Bavaria is marked by periods of unity and division, with various dynasties and dukes vying for power. In the 12th century, the Duchy of Bavaria was ruled by the Wittelsbach dynasty, which lasted until 1918. In the 19th century, Bavaria played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars, allying with France and later joining the alliance against Napoleon. After the fall of Napoleon, Bavaria became a part of the German Confederation and later the German Empire under William I of Prussia.

Bavaria is Germany's largest state by land area, covering 70,550 sq km

Covering an area of 70,550 sq km, Bavaria is Germany's largest state by land area. It makes up roughly a fifth of Germany's total land area. Located in the southeast of Germany, it is bordered by Austria and the Czech Republic, as well as Switzerland (across Lake Constance). Neighbouring German states include Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Thuringia, and Saxony.

Bavaria's landscape is divided into four major regions. These are the Bavarian Alps in the south, the Alpine foothills (Bavarian Alpine Foreland) in the southeast, the Eastern Bavarian central mountains in the northeast, and the plateaus of Swabia and Frankenalb (Jura) in the west. The state is further divided into seven administrative regions: Upper Franconia, Middle Franconia, Lower Franconia, Bavarian Swabia with Allgäu, Upper Palatinate, Upper Bavaria, and Lower Bavaria.

The state's main cities include Munich (its capital and the third-largest city in Germany), Nuremberg, and Augsburg. With over 13 million inhabitants, it is the second most populous German state, after North Rhine-Westphalia.

Munich is Bavaria's capital and largest city, with 1.4 million inhabitants

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is the largest city in the region with a population of 1.59 million inhabitants as of May 2024. It is Germany's third-largest city and the eleventh-largest in the European Union. The city is divided into 25 administrative boroughs and is a global centre for science, technology, finance, innovation, business and tourism. Munich enjoys a high standard of living and is known for its breweries and beer gardens.

Munich has a rich history, dating back to the 8th century when it was a tiny friar settlement. It was first mentioned in 1158 and became a major European centre of arts, architecture, culture and science in 1806. Munich played a significant role in the rise of National Socialism and was heavely bombed during World War II. Since then, it has rebuilt itself and become a hub for several multinational companies, including BMW, Siemens and Allianz.

Munich is also a cultural hub, with several museums, galleries and theatres. It has a diverse range of architectural styles, including Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical. The city hosts the annual Oktoberfest, the world's largest Volksfest, and is home to football club FC Bayern Munich.

Bavaria has a distinct culture, including a unique language, cuisine, architecture, and festivals

Bavaria is a state in southeast Germany with a distinct culture, including a unique language, cuisine, architecture, and festivals.

Language

Bavarian, commonly considered a dialect of German, is spoken in the south-east of the German language area, including the German state of Bavaria, most of Austria, and the Italian region of South Tyrol. It is also spoken in parts of Switzerland, Hungary, Brazil, the United States, and Canada. Bavarian is classified as a separate language by some sources, including the International Organization for Standardization and UNESCO. The difference between Bavarian and Standard German is larger than the difference between Danish and some varieties of Norwegian. Bavarian has its own Wikipedia, and the official FC Bayern Munich website was previously available in Bavarian.

Cuisine

Bavaria is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and diverse and delicious culinary traditions. Some of the most famous Bavarian dishes include:

• Käsespätzle: an upgraded mac and cheese from the Alps, made with handmade egg noodles, Alpine cheese sauce, fried onions, and chives.
• Weisswurst: a fresh veal sausage with soft spices, traditionally served for breakfast with white beer, pretzels, and sweet mustard.
• Obatzda: a creamy cheese spread made with camembert, served with pretzels and fresh onion.
• Leberkässemmel: a warm sandwich made with corned beef, pork, onion, and bacon.
• Schweinshaxe: a giant, crispy pork knuckle, marinated for several days and then slowly roasted, served with potato dumplings.

Architecture

Bavaria is known for its picturesque locations, including dreamy castles, lush green landscapes, and vintage streets. Some of the most notable examples of Bavarian architecture include:

• Neuschwanstein Castle: a romantic, fairytale-like castle built by King Ludwig II, featuring towers, ornamental turrets, balconies, and sculptures.
• Ettal Abbey: a Benedictine monastery in the village of Ettal, featuring intricate Baroque architecture and ornate interiors with pink and white marble walls.
• Marienplatz: the central square of Munich, featuring the Neo-Gothic clock tower, the glockenspiel, and the Old Town Hall with its stair-stepped facade.
• Nuremberg Castle: a medieval fortress built on a sandstone ridge, with huge sloping roofs and small windows characteristic of Medieval European architecture.
• BMW Headquarters: a modern architectural masterpiece, designed to mimic the shape of four cylinders in a car engine, with each cylinder suspended from a central support tower.

Festivals

Bavaria is also known for its vibrant folk festivals, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Some of the most popular Bavarian festivals include:

• Oktoberfest: the world's largest folk festival, held annually in Munich, featuring beer tents, fairground rides, and a traditional costume parade.
• Rosenheimer Herbstfest: an autumn festival in Rosenheim, originating from an agricultural exhibition, with two large festival halls, catering stands, and fairground rides.
• Gäubodenfest Straubing: one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria, held in the city of Straubing, with seven marquees, numerous rides, and an agricultural show.
• Sandkerwa: a five-day festival held in the city of Bamberg, featuring beer tents, stalls, and a fisherman's tournament against the backdrop of "Little Venice".

The Bavarian Alps define the border between Austria and Bavaria

Bavaria is a state in the southeast of Germany, comprising roughly a fifth of the country's total land area. It is bordered by the German states of Thuringia, Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse, and shares international borders with Austria, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

The Bavarian Alps, a collective name for several mountain ranges of the Northern Limestone Alps, form part of the border between Austria and Bavaria. In the wider sense, the term "Bavarian Alps" refers to the part of the Eastern Alps that lie on Bavarian state territory. However, in the traditional understanding, the Bavarian Alps only include the ranges between the rivers Lech and Saalach (Altbayern), excluding the Allgäu Alps in Swabia and the Berchtesgaden Alps in the east. The highest peak in the Bavarian Alps is Zugspitze, which, at 2,962 meters (9,718 feet), is also the highest point in Germany.

The Bavarian Alps have a rich history of human interaction, with evidence of mountain pasture use dating back to the Iron Age (750 BC). The region was inhabited by Celtic tribes during the Bronze Age, followed by conquests of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. The Bavarian Alps were heavily influenced by the last ice age, which formed cirques, lakes, and U-shaped valleys. The area is also known for its diverse animal life, including the lynx and the gray wolf, which were once extinct in the region but have been successfully reintroduced through conservation efforts.

The Bavarian Alps are a popular tourist destination, offering winter sports and a preserved Alpine landscape in the national park. The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, located at the foot of Zugspitze, is one of Europe's most popular mountain resorts. The Bavarian Alps are also known for their picturesque villages, such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nördlingen, and Dinkelsbühl, which attract visitors with their lavishly decorated churches, public buildings, and homes.

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