The 1815 Congress of Vienna confirmed these changes and the Thuringian states' inclusion in the German Confederation; the Kingdom of Prussia also acquired some Thuringian territory and administered it within the Province of Saxony.
Since the beginning of Urbanisation around 1840, the Thuringian cities have higher growth rates resp.
Envisaged projects include upgrades of the B247 from Gotha to Leinefelde to improve Mühlhausen's connection to the national road network, the B19 from Eisenach to Meiningen to improve access to Bad Salzungen and Schmalkalden, and the B88 and B281 for strengthening the Saalfeld/Rudolstadt region. The first railways in Thuringia had been built in the 1840s and the network of main lines was finished around 1880.
It was founded in 1860 and came to prominence as Germany's leading art school during the inter-war period, the Bauhaus. The polytechnics of Thuringia are based in Erfurt (4,500 students), Jena (5,000 students), Nordhausen (2,500 students) and Schmalkalden (3,000 students).
On the other hand, the late 19th century brought new types of mines to Thuringia: the lignite surface mining around Meuselwitz near Altenburg in the east of the Land started in the 1870s, and two potash mining districts were established around 1900.
The Thuringian duchies which became part of the German Empire in 1871 during the Prussian-led unification of Germany were Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Saxe-Meiningen, Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and the two principalities of Reuss Elder Line and Reuss Younger Line. ==Free State of Thuringia== In 1920, after World War I, these small states merged into one state, called Thuringia; only Saxe-Coburg voted to join Bavaria instead.
Envisaged projects include upgrades of the B247 from Gotha to Leinefelde to improve Mühlhausen's connection to the national road network, the B19 from Eisenach to Meiningen to improve access to Bad Salzungen and Schmalkalden, and the B88 and B281 for strengthening the Saalfeld/Rudolstadt region. The first railways in Thuringia had been built in the 1840s and the network of main lines was finished around 1880.
The second-largest is the Technische Universität Ilmenau with 7,000 students, founded in 1894, which offers many technical disciplines such as engineering and mathematics.
On the other hand, the late 19th century brought new types of mines to Thuringia: the lignite surface mining around Meuselwitz near Altenburg in the east of the Land started in the 1870s, and two potash mining districts were established around 1900.
The state was established in 1920 as a state of the Weimar Republic from a merger of the Ernestine duchies, save for Saxe-Coburg.
Their various lands formed the Free State of Thuringia, founded in 1920, together with some other small principalities.
The Thuringian duchies which became part of the German Empire in 1871 during the Prussian-led unification of Germany were Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Saxe-Meiningen, Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and the two principalities of Reuss Elder Line and Reuss Younger Line. ==Free State of Thuringia== In 1920, after World War I, these small states merged into one state, called Thuringia; only Saxe-Coburg voted to join Bavaria instead.
Well-known industrial centres are Jena (a world centre for optical instruments with companies like Carl Zeiss, Schott and Jenoptik) and Eisenach, where BMW started its car production in the 1920s and an Opel factory is based today.
By 1920, many branch lines had been built, giving Thuringia one of the densest rail networks in the world before World War II with about 2,500 km of track.
The coat of arms of this new state was simpler than those of its predecessors. In 1930 Thuringia was one of the free states where the Nazis gained real political power.
Traditional industries like production of glass, porcelain and toys collapsed during the economic crises between 1930 and 1990. Mining was important in Thuringia since the later Middle Ages, especially within the mining towns of the Thuringian Forest such as Schmalkalden, Suhl and Ilmenau.
Since 1990, many billions of Euros have been invested to improve the condition of roads and railways within Thuringia. During the 1930s, the first two motorways were built across the Land, the A4 motorway as an important east–west connection in central Germany and the main link between Berlin and south-west Germany, and the A9 motorway as the main north–south route in eastern Germany, connecting Berlin with Munich.
Between 1950 and 2000 most of the branch lines were abandoned, reducing Thuringia's network by half compared to 1940.
The Prussian territories around Erfurt, Mühlhausen and Nordhausen joined Thuringia in 1945. The coat of arms of Thuringia shows the lion of the Ludowingian Landgraves of 12th-century origin.
He also ensured that whenever an important position came up within Thuringia, he used his power to ensure that a Nazi was given that post. After being controlled briefly by the US, from July 1945, the state of Thuringia came under the Soviet occupation zone, and was expanded to include parts of Prussian Saxony, such as the areas around Erfurt, Mühlhausen, and Nordhausen.
Thuringia became part of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, but was dissolved in 1952 during administrative reforms, to be divided into the Districts of Erfurt, Suhl and Gera.
smaller rates of decline than rural areas (many villages lost half of their population since 1950, whereas the biggest cities (Erfurt and Jena) kept growing). {| |- | valign="top" | | valign="top" | |} === Current population === The current population is 2,170,000 (in 2012) with an annual rate of decrease of about 0.5%, which varies widely between the local regions.
Between 1950 and 1990, uranium mining was also important to cover the Soviet Union's need for this metal.
Between 1950 and 2000 most of the branch lines were abandoned, reducing Thuringia's network by half compared to 1940.
Since the 1950s, nearly all children have been using the service, whereas early-years education is less developed in western Germany.
Thuringia became part of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, but was dissolved in 1952 during administrative reforms, to be divided into the Districts of Erfurt, Suhl and Gera.
Ostheim, an exclave of Landkreis (roughly equivalent to a county in the English-speaking world) Eisenach, was ceded to Bavaria. In 1952, the German Democratic Republic dissolved its states, and created districts (Bezirke) instead.
This is a problem for the regional labour market, as there are twice as many people leaving as entering the job market annually. === Natural and spatial tendencies === The birth rate was about 1.8 children per women in the 1970s and 1980s, shrinking to 0.8 in 1994 during the economic crisis after the reunification and rose again to more than 1.4 children in 2010, which is a higher level than in West Germany.
This is a problem for the regional labour market, as there are twice as many people leaving as entering the job market annually. === Natural and spatial tendencies === The birth rate was about 1.8 children per women in the 1970s and 1980s, shrinking to 0.8 in 1994 during the economic crisis after the reunification and rose again to more than 1.4 children in 2010, which is a higher level than in West Germany.
Thuringia was re-established in 1990 following German reunification, slightly re-drawn, and became one of the new states of the Federal Republic of Germany. == Etymology and symbols == The name Thuringia or Thüringen derives from the Germanic tribe Thuringii, who emerged during the Migration Period.
Altenburg Kreis was part of Leipzig Bezirk. The State of Thuringia was recreated with slightly altered borders during German reunification in 1990. ==Geography== === Topography === From the northwest going clockwise, Thuringia borders on the German states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Bavaria and Hesse. The landscapes of Thuringia are quite diverse.
Since 1990, Thuringia's forests have been managed aiming for a more natural and tough vegetation more resilient to climate change as well as diseases and vermin.
Problems here are caused especially by increasingly prolonged dry periods during the summer months. Environmental damage in Thuringia has been reduced to a large extent after 1990.
Today's environmental problems are the salination of the Werra river, caused by discharges of K+S salt mines around Unterbreizbach and overfertilisation in agriculture, damaging the soil and small rivers. Environment and nature protection has been of growing importance and attention since 1990.
The population growth increased during the 18th century and stayed high until World War I, before it slowed within the 20th century and changed to a decline since 1990.
In 2015 there were 17.934 births, the highest number since 1990. Migration plays an important role in Thuringia.
During the GDR period, church membership was discouraged and has continued shrinking since the reunification in 1990.
The economic transition after the German reunification in 1990 led to the closure of most large-scale factories and companies, leaving small and medium-sized ones to dominate the manufacturing sector.
Traditional industries like production of glass, porcelain and toys collapsed during the economic crises between 1930 and 1990. Mining was important in Thuringia since the later Middle Ages, especially within the mining towns of the Thuringian Forest such as Schmalkalden, Suhl and Ilmenau.
Between 1950 and 1990, uranium mining was also important to cover the Soviet Union's need for this metal.
The high economic subsidies granted by the federal government and the EU after 1990 are being reduced gradually and will end around 2020. The unemployment rate reached its peak of 17.1% in 2005.
Since 1990, many billions of Euros have been invested to improve the condition of roads and railways within Thuringia. During the 1930s, the first two motorways were built across the Land, the A4 motorway as an important east–west connection in central Germany and the main link between Berlin and south-west Germany, and the A9 motorway as the main north–south route in eastern Germany, connecting Berlin with Munich.
Both highways were widened from four to six lanes (three each way) after 1990, including some extensive re-routing in the Eisenach and Jena areas.
Furthermore, three new motorways were built during the 1990s and 2000s.
On the other hand, most of the main lines were refurbished after 1990, resulting in improved speed of travel.
Furthermore, Thuringia hosts two big pumped storage stations: the Goldisthal Pumped Storage Station and the Hohenwarte Dam. The water supply is granted by the big dams, like the Leibis-Lichte Dam, within the Thuringian Forest and the Thuringian Highland, making a drinking water exporter of Thuringia. === Health === Health care provision in Thuringia improved after 1990, as did the level of general health.
On the other hand, there is a lack of family doctors, especially in rural regions with increased need of health care provision because of overageing. == Education == In Germany, the educational system is part of the sovereignty of the Lands; therefore each Land has its own school and college system. === School system === The Thuringian school system was developed after the reunification in 1990, combining some elements of the former GDR school system with the Bavarian school system.
This is a problem for the regional labour market, as there are twice as many people leaving as entering the job market annually. === Natural and spatial tendencies === The birth rate was about 1.8 children per women in the 1970s and 1980s, shrinking to 0.8 in 1994 during the economic crisis after the reunification and rose again to more than 1.4 children in 2010, which is a higher level than in West Germany.
Large areas, especially within the forested mountains, are protected as natural reserves, including Thuringia's first national park within the Hainich mountains, founded in 1997, the Rhön Biosphere Reserve, the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the South Harz Nature Park. == Demographics == === Demographic history === During the Middle Ages, Thuringia was at the border between Germanic and Slavic territories, marked by the Saale river.
Furthermore, three new motorways were built during the 1990s and 2000s.
Between 1950 and 2000 most of the branch lines were abandoned, reducing Thuringia's network by half compared to 1940.
Erfurt's central station, which was completely rebuilt for this purpose in the 2000s (decade), will be the new connection between both ICE lines.
Since 2000, the importance of environmentally unfriendly lignite combustion has declined in favour of renewable energies, which reached an amount of 40% (in 2013), and more clean gas combustion, often carried out as Cogeneration in the municipal power stations.
Until 2004, Thuringia was one of the weakest regions within the European Union.
The unemployment rate reached a peak in 2005.
The accession of several new countries, the crisis in southern Europe and the sustained economic growth in Germany since 2005 has brought the Thuringian GDP close to the EU average since then.
The high economic subsidies granted by the federal government and the EU after 1990 are being reduced gradually and will end around 2020. The unemployment rate reached its peak of 17.1% in 2005.
From 2008 to 2012, there was a net migration from Thuringia to Erfurt of +6,700 persons (33 per 1000 inhabitants), +1,800 to Gera (19 per 1000), +1,400 to Jena (14 per 1000), +1,400 to Eisenach (33 per 1000) and +1,300 to Weimar (21 per 1000).
In 2009, the balance was +700, in 2010 +1,800, in 2011 +2,700 and in 2012 +4,800.
This is a problem for the regional labour market, as there are twice as many people leaving as entering the job market annually. === Natural and spatial tendencies === The birth rate was about 1.8 children per women in the 1970s and 1980s, shrinking to 0.8 in 1994 during the economic crisis after the reunification and rose again to more than 1.4 children in 2010, which is a higher level than in West Germany.
In 2009, the balance was +700, in 2010 +1,800, in 2011 +2,700 and in 2012 +4,800.
External immigration into Thuringia has been encouraged by the government since about 2010 to counter this problem. The economic progress is quite different between the regions of Thuringia.
Nevertheless, the number rose from 33,000 in July 2011, an increase of 24% in only two years.
In 2009, the balance was +700, in 2010 +1,800, in 2011 +2,700 and in 2012 +4,800.
urban districts) have greater powers (the same as any district) than towns within a district. Average annual change in percent within the last three years (2009-12-31 until 2012-12-31), adjusted from incorporations and the 2011 Census results. === Religion === Since the Protestant Reformation, the most prominent Christian denomination in Thuringia has been Lutheranism.
smaller rates of decline than rural areas (many villages lost half of their population since 1950, whereas the biggest cities (Erfurt and Jena) kept growing). {| |- | valign="top" | | valign="top" | |} === Current population === The current population is 2,170,000 (in 2012) with an annual rate of decrease of about 0.5%, which varies widely between the local regions.
In 2012, 905,000 Thuringians lived in a municipality with more than 20,000 inhabitants, this is an urbanization rate of 42% which continues to rise. In July 2013, there were 41,000 non-Germans by citizenship living in Thuringia (1.9% of the population − among the smallest proportions of any state in Germany).
The biggest groups of foreigners by citizenship are (as of 2012): Russians (3,100), Poles (3,000), Turks (2,100) and Ukrainians (2,000).
From 2008 to 2012, there was a net migration from Thuringia to Erfurt of +6,700 persons (33 per 1000 inhabitants), +1,800 to Gera (19 per 1000), +1,400 to Jena (14 per 1000), +1,400 to Eisenach (33 per 1000) and +1,300 to Weimar (21 per 1000).
Between Thuringia and the other German states, the balance is negative: In 2012, Thuringia lost 6,500 persons to other federal states, the most to Bavaria, Saxony, Hesse and Berlin.
In 2009, the balance was +700, in 2010 +1,800, in 2011 +2,700 and in 2012 +4,800.
urban districts) have greater powers (the same as any district) than towns within a district. Average annual change in percent within the last three years (2009-12-31 until 2012-12-31), adjusted from incorporations and the 2011 Census results. === Religion === Since the Protestant Reformation, the most prominent Christian denomination in Thuringia has been Lutheranism.
In 2012, 905,000 Thuringians lived in a municipality with more than 20,000 inhabitants, this is an urbanization rate of 42% which continues to rise. In July 2013, there were 41,000 non-Germans by citizenship living in Thuringia (1.9% of the population − among the smallest proportions of any state in Germany).
Since 2000, the importance of environmentally unfriendly lignite combustion has declined in favour of renewable energies, which reached an amount of 40% (in 2013), and more clean gas combustion, often carried out as Cogeneration in the municipal power stations.
Its winter resort of Oberhof makes it a well-equipped winter sports destination – half of Germany's 136 Winter Olympic gold medals as of 2014 were by Thuringian athletes.
In 2015 there were 17.934 births, the highest number since 1990. Migration plays an important role in Thuringia.
The upgrading of federal highways is prioritised in the federal trunk road programme 2015 (Bundesverkehrswegeplan 2015).
A total of around 9.2 million overnight stays were booked in 2016, compared to 8.3 million ten years earlier.
The most recent institution of higher education in Thuringia is the Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach (1400 students), a cooperative state college founded in 2016 through a merger of the colleges (Berufsakademie) in Gera and Eisenach. === Research === Thuringia's leading research centre is Jena, followed by Ilmenau.
In 2017, a new high speed line will be opened, diverting long-distance services from these mid-19th century lines.
Only the segment west of Erfurt of the Frankfurt-Dresden line will continue to be used by ICE trains after 2017, with an increased line speed of 200 km/h (currently 160 km/h).
The Protestant Evangelical Church in Germany has had the largest number of members in the state, adhered to by 20.8% of the population in 2018.
Since then, it has decreased to 5.3% in 2019, which is only slightly above the national average.
Young people in these areas often have to commute long distances, and many emigrate soon after finishing school. The unemployment rate stood at 5.3% in 2019 and was higher than the German average. === Tourism === Tourism is an important branch of the economy.
The high economic subsidies granted by the federal government and the EU after 1990 are being reduced gradually and will end around 2020. The unemployment rate reached its peak of 17.1% in 2005.
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