Names of the Western German States
Germany comprises 16 federal states, of which 11 are classified as western states. These include: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein, and Berlin. Below is a detailed overview of each:
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is located in the southwestern region of Germany, covering an area of approximately 35,752 square kilometers, making it the third-largest federal state in the country. The city of Stuttgart serves as its capital and is also the state’s largest city.
According to statistics from 2011, the population of Baden-Württemberg is about 11,103,000, positioning it as the third-most populous state in Germany. A notable feature of this state is Heidelberg University, recognized as Germany’s oldest university.
Bavaria
Bavaria is situated in the southeastern part of Germany and spans an area of 70,550 square kilometers, rendering it the largest federal state. Munich, which is the state’s capital, is also its largest city. As of the 2020 census, the state’s population is approximately 13,140,000, making it the second most populous state in Germany.
Bremen
Bremen is located in the northwestern region of Germany and is the smallest federal state, with a total area of 419 square kilometers. According to 2020 census data, its population is around 680,000. Despite its small size, Bremen plays a significant economic role within Germany.
Hamburg
Hamburg, situated in northern Germany along the Elbe River, has an area of approximately 755 square kilometers, making it the second smallest state in the country. The 2020 census recorded a population of about 1,852,000, positioning it as the second most populous city after Berlin.
Hesse
Hesse is located in the central-western part of Germany and covers an area of approximately 21,114 square kilometers. Wiesbaden serves as its capital, while Frankfurt is the largest city. The state’s population, as reported in the 2020 statistics, stands at about 6,293,000.
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony can be found in the northwestern region of Germany, encompassing an area of roughly 47,614 square kilometers, making it the second-largest state by area. Hanover, the state’s capital and largest city, has a population of around 8,003,000 according to the 2020 census.
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is positioned in the western-central region of Germany and has an area of about 33,957 square kilometers. With a population of approximately 17,926,000 as of 2020, it holds the title of the most populous state in Germany.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Located in western Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate has an area of around 19,846 square kilometers. Mainz is the state’s capital and largest city. According to 2020 census data, the population is about 4,098,000.
Saarland
Saarland, found in the southwestern part of Germany, covers an area of about 2,569 square kilometers, with Saarbrücken as its capital. The state had a population of approximately 984,000 according to the 2020 statistics.
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is situated in northern Germany and spans an area of approximately 15,804 square kilometers. Kiel is the capital and largest city of the state, which had a population of around 2,911,000 according to 2020 census data.
Berlin
Berlin, located in the northeastern part of Germany, serves as the official capital of the country. Covering an area of about 892 square kilometers, its population reached approximately 3,664,000 according to the 2020 census.