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Bavaria, [a] officially the Free State of Bavaria, [b] is a state in the southeast of Germany. With an area of 70,550.19 km 2 (27,239.58 sq mi), it is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total land area of Germany.
In southern Germany, the Free State of Bavaria and its capital Munich wow visitors with their picture-perfect scenic beauty. The area is known for its pristine countryside, clean air, wealth of culture and infamous laid-back Bavarian attitude.
May 9, 2024 · Here are the most beautiful towns to visit in the southern German state of Bavaria offering fairytale castles lakes and views.
- Overview
- Geography
Bavaria, largest Land (state) of Germany, comprising the entire southeastern portion of the country. Bavaria is bounded to the north by the states of Thuringia and Saxony, to the east by the Czech Republic, to the south and southeast by Austria, and to the west by the states of Baden-Württemberg and Hessen. Munich (München) is the capital. Area 27,...
Bavaria is a country of high plateaus and medium-sized mountains. In the north are basalt knolls and high plateaus; in the northwest are the wooded sandstone hills of the Spessart. The northwest is drained by the Main River, which flows into the Rhine. To the southeast the topography varies from the stratified land formations of Swabia-Franconia to shell limestone and red marl, the hill country of the Franconian-Rednitz Basin, and the limestone mountains of the Franconian Jura along the Danube, which divides Bavaria north and south. On the eastern edge of Bavaria are the Bavarian and Bohemian forests, and in the north is the Franconian Forest. South of the Danube is a plateau upon which lies the capital, Munich, and beyond it are the Bavarian Alps. Bavaria’s share of the Alps consists of wooded peaks of several thousand feet, behind which rise steep ridges and high plateaus (in the west, the Allgäuer Alps; in the east, the Alps of Berchtesgaden). They reach their highest point with the 9,718-foot (2,962-metre) Zugspitze, which is also the highest point in Germany. Bavaria has a continental climate that is harsh for middle Europe, although there are some exceptions, such as the Lower Main valley.
Historically, the north has been inhabited by descendants of the Franks, the southeast by residents of old Bavarian stock, and the southwest by people of Bavarian-Swabian descent. The majority of Bavaria’s inhabitants still live in small towns. Only about one-fifth live in cities of 100,000 or more. Munich is the third largest city in Germany and the largest city in Bavaria.
After World War II there was an influx of refugees from the Sudetenland and eastern Europe, where many ethnic Germans had lived for centuries. A significant proportion of Bavaria’s population at the beginning of the 21st century was composed of those refugees and their descendants. Beginning in the 1960s, the industrial areas received large numbers of migrant workers from southern Europe.
Great changes took place in the religious composition of the population after the war, with a heavy influx of Protestants. In the early 21st century, most Bavarians were Roman Catholics, and Evangelical Lutherans were the second largest religious group.
About two-fifths of the state’s gross output in the early 21st century consisted of industrial and handicraft products. Trade, transportation, and services accounted for more than half and agriculture and forestry for only a tiny amount.
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- Day 1: Fly Into Munich. If you are flying in from the US to Bavaria, then you are most likely going to land in Munich in the morning. Even though you didn’t get much sleep on your flight, we aren’t going to waste any time.
- Day 2: Munich and A Day Trip. Today is going to be another packed, but very worthwhile day. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel (or some insanely delicious pastries from a local Backereri) we are off for the day.
- Day 3: Rent a Car and Head to Garmisch. This morning, get your car rental early and head down to the breathtaking Bavarian Alps. Don’t worry, driving in Germany is easy with these tips.
- Day 4: Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, and (Optional) Oberammergau. Today, we are going to be doing some day trips from Garmisch so that we don’t have to keep hotel hopping.
Germany, Europe. From the cloud-shredding Alps to the fertile Danube plain, the Free State of Bavaria is a place that keeps its clichéd promises. Story-book castles bequeathed by an oddball king poke through dark forest, cowbells tinkle in flower-filled meadows, the thwack of palm on Lederhosen accompanies the clump of frothy stein on timber ...
Nov 5, 2021 · Discover the best attractions and activities in Bavaria, from the highest peak of Germany to the world's oldest brewery. Explore the scenic Alps, the historic castles, the vibrant cities, and the charming villages of this popular region.
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