Saxony-Anhalt

The state of Saxony-Anhalt with the capital of Magdeburg has a total area of 12, 676 square miles with about 2.8 million approximately as of census in the year 1990.

Geography

Included in the sixteen states of Germany this state should not be confused to the states of Saxony and Lower Saxony. This is the eighth largest state among all sixteen and by population they rank the tenth. Saxony-Anhalt borders the states of Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony and Thuringia.

The capital city of Magdeburg is the second largest city after Halle. Dessau is the nearby city wherein the Bauhaus is situated. Bauhaus is well known to be the basis of architecture and fine arts in the region. One of the main attractions for the state is the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm found in Dessau; another attraction which is included in the world known Unesco World Heritage Site is the Wörlitzer Park.

There is a diverse land that consist the state of Saxony – Anhalt. From the north region which is Altmark to Magdeburg is consisted of low lands. Then mountain ranges spring up through Harz to Thuringia. Brocken is the highest mountain in the area, below of that is the National Park Harz which includes a wildlife sanctuary.

History

The state of Saxony-Anhalt was a province of Prussia in 1945;it was formed from the territories of the former Prussian Province of Saxony, the Free State of Anhalt, the Free State of Brunswick and Allstedt which is a former Thuringian town.

Upon the dispersion of Prussia in 1947, the province then became the State Saxony-Anhalt. In 1949 the state became a member of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).  In 1952 to the year 1990 the state was divided into Halle and Magdeburg, East German districts. In 1990, through the German reunification these districts were integrated again as a state.

Economy

Primarily the state is rich with good land and soil, especially with the “Magdeburger Börde,” which is known to have the best soil not only in all of Germy but in most of Europe. There have been comparisons that the smoothness of the soil here is even more luxurious than silk.

The best known food products can be found in this state scattered all over regions and cities such as Baumkuchen in Salzwedel (Altmark) and the Hallorenkugeln from Halle. This proves how much the food industry thrives in the state and has become one of the most important factors in the economy.

Chemical industry is one of the main industrial sectors the state is known for. It is in Wolfen and Bitterfeld where the locations of the biggest chemical production areas are. It is because of this industry where Saxony-Anhalt became the largest receiver of foreign direct investments amongst all of eastern Germany states.