Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the 16 states of Germany. It includes most of the historical 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.

For much of its history, Schleswig-Holstein was disputed between Denmark and Germany. In the 19th century, both countries claimed the area, leading to two wars known as the First Schleswig War and the Second Schleswig War. After these conflicts, the region became part of Prussia and later Germany. Following World War II, the area saw many changes, including the arrival of refugees.

Today, Schleswig-Holstein is known for its farming, especially its Holstein cows. The state's coastline along the Atlantic Ocean makes it important for trade, shipbuilding, and energy production, including offshore wind farms. Fishing is also a key industry, shaping the region's special local foods. The area is a favorite destination for tourists from Germany and around the world.

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 Saxon word for "wood land," referring to the central Saxon tribe that lived north of the River Elbe. Nearby, the tribe of the Holsts lived between the Stör River and Hamburg. After becoming Christian, their main church was in Schenefeld.

"Schleswig" originally referred to a city at the Schlei River, meaning "the bay at the river Schlei" in Danish. The area known as the Duchy of Schleswig was once part of Denmark but later became a fief under Danish control. Around 1100, Holstein became part of the Duchy of Saxony, given to Count Adolf I of Schauenburg.

The Migration Period

During the Migration Period, the Jutland peninsula was home to tribes like the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons. Many of these groups later moved to the British Isles, leaving the area less populated. Danes from southern Scandinavia then moved in, settling between Grenen and the Eider River. They built the Danevirke, a large earthwork, to protect against raids from the Saxons and Wagrians. This area became a key trading route known as the Hærvejen.

The Early Middle Ages

Later, the Frisians arrived and settled on islands and along the coast, becoming known as North Frisia. They established fishing and trading stations and contributed to trade along the Frisian and Dutch coasts.

Saxon Wars

The area saw big changes when the Frankish Empire expanded into Saxony, leading to the Saxon Wars. Charlemagne fought to conquer the Saxons and convert them to Christianity. There was conflict between the Danes and Saxons, and at one point, Charlemagne ordered a big execution of Saxons after a defeat. Later, a peace treaty set the border at the Eider River.

Duchies in the Danish realm

For centuries, Schleswig was part of Denmark. In the 12th century, Duke Abel of Schleswig made it autonomous from Denmark. Beginning in 1460, both Schleswig and Holstein were ruled together by the Danish king. Holstein was part of the Holy Roman Empire, making the Danish king both a king and a duke.

Schleswig-Holstein Question

In the 19th century, both Danes and Germans wanted control of Schleswig-Holstein. The Germans wanted the two duchies to join the German Confederation, while the Danes wanted to bring Schleswig back into Denmark. This disagreement led to two wars: the First Schleswig War from 1848 to 1851 and the Second Schleswig War in 1864. After the second war, Denmark lost Schleswig and Holstein to Prussia and Austria.

Austro-Prussian War and Province of Prussia

In 1866, Prussia defeated Austria in the Austro-Prussian War and took control of Holstein, Schleswig, and Lauenburg. These areas became the Province of Schleswig-Holstein in 1868, part of Prussia. Later, after World War I, a plebiscite in 1920 let people in northern Schleswig vote to join Denmark, while central Schleswig stayed with Germany.

State of Federal Germany

After World War II, Schleswig-Holstein became a separate state under British occupation. There were discussions about reuniting South Schleswig with Denmark, but this did not happen. Many German refugees moved to Schleswig-Holstein after the war, increasing its population. In 1955, Germany and Denmark agreed to respect the rights of ethnic minorities on both sides of the border.

Geography

See also: List of places in Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is located at the base of the Jutland Peninsula between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. It borders Denmark to the north, the North Sea to the west, the Baltic Sea to the east, and the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the south. The western part of the state features flat lowlands and includes the North Frisian Islands and the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, the largest national park in Central Europe.

The eastern Baltic Sea coast has bays, fjords, and cliffs. This area includes rolling hills, lakes, and the region known as Holstein Switzerland. The longest river, besides the Elbe, is the Eider. Schleswig-Holstein has very few forests, covering only 11% of the land. The German islands of Sylt, Föhr, Pellworm, Amrum, Heligoland, and Fehmarn belong to the state, with Heligoland being Germany’s only high-sea island.

Administration

Schleswig-Holstein is divided into 11 Kreise (Districts) and four Kreisfreie Städte (Urban Districts). The state has its own parliament and government, which are 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 of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and The Greens, led by Minister-President Daniel Günther.

Demographics

Schleswig-Holstein has an aging population. In 2016, the total fertility rate reached 1.61, the highest value in 40 years. That year, there were 25,420 births and 33,879 deaths.

The region has been strongly Protestant since the time of the Protestant Reformation. In 2018, members of the Protestant Church in Germany made up 44.6% of the population, while members of the Catholic Church comprised 6.1%. About 49.3% of people either follow other religions or do 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 dishes like Rødgrød, and even in surnames such as Hansen. The state has many famous events, including the Kiel Week, a big celebration on the water, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival for classical music lovers, and the Lübeck Nordic Film Days for fans of Scandinavian movies. The Wacken Open Air festival is known as the world's largest heavy metal music event.

Schleswig-Holstein has unique food that mixes sweet and sour flavors. Popular dishes include Birnen, Bohnen und Speck with pears and bacon, Holsteiner Sauerfleisch, and Grünkohl enjoyed in many ways. Sweet treats like Lübecker Marzipan and different kinds of Lakritz are also favorites. The region also enjoys special drinks such as Lübecker Rotspon and Flensburger Rum-Verschnitt.

Economy

The economy of Schleswig-Holstein is diverse. In 2018, its total economic output was 62.7 billion euros, making up about 1.9% of Germany’s economy. Each person in the state earned around 30,400 euros that year after adjusting for cost of living.

Schleswig-Holstein leads in renewable energy use. By 2014, it became the first German state to meet all its electricity needs with renewable sources like wind, solar, and biomass. Even by 2023, it produced more renewable energy than it needed, exporting the extra power. The state is also home to the largest oil field in Germany, called Mittelplate, located off the coast.

The state is a popular tourist spot, lying between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Its beaches, islands, and historic cities draw many visitors each year. Agriculture is important here too, with much land used for growing crops like wheat, maize, and rapeseed. The state is also known for its dairy cows, especially the Holsteins, which produce a lot of milk. Fishing and aquaculture, particularly of mussels, also contribute to the local economy. Major companies in Schleswig-Holstein include wholesalers, medical equipment makers, and shipbuilding firms.

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. It handled the most cargo in 2007 and 2012, but the amount has been decreasing since then.

Ports

Schleswig-Holstein has 46 ports, with four serving international traffic: Kiel, Lübeck / Travemünde, Puttgarden on the Baltic Sea, and Brunsbüttel on the North Sea. Kiel and Lübeck are important for shipping goods to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Lübeck-Travemünde and Kiel are popular for ferries and cruises. Puttgarden connects to Denmark, and Brunsbüttel handles large amounts of bulk goods and supports wind energy projects.

Air

Lübeck Airport and Sylt Airport are the only airports in Schleswig-Holstein. The closest major international airport is Hamburg Airport, located 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 by June 30th each year must attend school. After primary school, students move on to secondary school, which includes two types of schools: Gemeinschaftsschulen and Gymnasium.

Students at Gemeinschaftsschulen 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 higher education, after thirteen years in total. Most Gymnasium schools take nine years to reach the Abitur, but there are a few options for shorter paths as well. Another way to earn the Abitur is through a special type of school called Berufliches Gymnasium, where students can focus on subjects like agricultural economics or health and social care.

The state has three universities located in Kiel, Lübeck, and Flensburg. There are also several Universities of Applied Sciences in towns such as Wedel, Altenholz, Heide, Kiel, and Lübeck. Additional institutions include a Conservatory in Lübeck and an Academy of Fine Arts in Kiel.

Honorary citizens

As of 2016, seven people were made honorary citizens of Schleswig-Holstein. These individuals included Gerhard Stoltenberg, a former Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein and federal Minister of Defence, Uwe Ronneburger, a former chairman of the Schleswig-Holstein FDP, Helmut Schmidt, a former German Bundeskanzler, and Siegfried Lenz, a well-known German author. Others included Armin Mueller-Stahl, an actor who worked at Lübeck Academy of Music, Dr. Günther Fielmann, a businessman and philanthropist, and Heide Simonis, the first female Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein.