Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a federal state of Germany located in the northern region of the country. In English is known as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The capital city of this state is Schwerin and was formed because of the merging of the historic regions of Mecklenburg and Vorpommern after the World War II. It was then dissolved in 1958 and was then recreated before the German Reunification in the year 1990.

Known to be the sixth largest state in Germany by territory and the least populated state it includes major cities of Rostock, Schwerin, Neubrandenburg, Stralsund, Greifswald and Wismar. Since Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is within the Baltic Sea coastline as well as islands of Rügen and Usedom, the Mecklenburg Lake District are only a few reasons why Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has become a very popular tourist destination, not only because of their resorts and natural surroundings, here in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can be found three of Germany’s national parks as well as plenty more conservation areas.

History

The history of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern basically began after the World War II and the German Reunification in 1990. The state was compromised of Mecklenburg and Vorpommern, both interdependently having their own histories.

Mecklenburg

This territory began in the later period of the 12^th century when Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxons conquered the Obotrites overpowering the Nikloting dynasty and with that has spread Christianity amongst its people. Through time, many settlers from the nobility to the lowest of peasants, monks and even traders have inhabited the territory. After this time, Mecklenburg continued to progress independently and has become stable compared to other German territories. In 1348, it has became duchy to the Holy Roman Empire from which later on was divided and re-divided in the same dynasty as well. Other states in Mecklenburg had the same common history as well. States of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz also became grand duchies in the year 1815. The monarchy was then brought to an end, bringing in the Republican Government of Mecklenburg which happened after the World War I.

Vorpommern

A part of the former all German region of Pomerania which is located in the western part of the territory. The eastern part of the region became Poland after the end of World War II.

Vorpommern was part of the Duchy of Pomerania in the Middle Ages and was ruled by Pomeranian Dukes. From 1648 to 1815 after the Peace of Westphalia the area was ruled by Pomerania as Swedish Pomerania, then became the province of Prussia in the year 1815 and remained such till 1947.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

It began in May of 1945 when the Soviet Union armies and western allies convened in the east of Schwerin, this where the western allies relinquished Mecklenburg to the Soviet Union under the Potsdam Agreement. It was in July 9, 1945 where Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was established as the Province of Mecklenburg and West Pomerania according to the order Nr.5 of the Red Army Marshall Georgy Zhukov who was the head of SMAD or the Soviet Military Administration in Germany.

June 5, 1946 a law was ratified by the Soviet Union which led to the establishment of a short-term German administration which was Beratende Versammlung. This took effect and was under the supervision of the Soviets in June 29, 1946. Because of the fixed elections that happened in October 20, 1946 a Landtag replaced Beratende Versammlung which then brought about a constitution for the Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in January 16, 1947. The name was then shortened to Land Mecklenburg in April 18, 1947.

1952, East Berlin government discarded “states” in accordance to districts in German, Bezirke. Because of this, Mecklenburg and Vorpommern was changed into three districts under the German Democratic Republic government. These districts covered the same area but were then known as Bezirk Rostock, Bezirk Schwerin and Bezirk Neubrandenburg, commonly known as the Nordbezirke (northern districts). These changes made the historical border between Mecklenburg and Pomerania disappear.

It was before the German Reunification in 1990 where the postwar eastern states were again formed and the full name of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was used again.

Geography

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the sixth largest in area in all sixteen German states and fourteenth in ranking with regards to its population. In the north part of the state is the Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein in its west, Lower Saxony to its southwest, Brandenburg to its south and West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland to its east. With the state’s capital of Schwerin, the largest city is Rostock which only has the approximate of 200, 000 inhabitants.

Having the Baltic Sea as part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern the state features Germany’s two biggest islands of Rügen and Usedom as well as other smaller islands of Hiddensee and Poel. Since Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is known to be the “state of a thousand lakes” which obviously is more known in the south part of the state, lakes are noted in this area, most especially the largest of which is the Lake Müritz.

Aside from islands and lakes all over, the state also boasts of a multitude of nature and landscape reserves as well as national parks. With the addition of being the state to have Germany’s longest coastline there is no question why Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the perfect destination for travel and vacation.

Tourism

Basically, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is considered to be Germany’s number one tourist destination may it be for inner German tourism or globally, amongst all states this is the hotspot for tourists and adventurers. Aside from the natural wonders it has from lakes, islands, coastline, peninsulas, and seaside towns. The state is also rich with historic old towns with the plus of having over 2,000 castles, palaces and manor houses not only for tour purposes but also can be used for functions and venues for whatever itinerary you may have both for business or pleasure.