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Hesse

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Hesse is a state located in the middle of Germany.

Hessen topografisch Relief Karte
Hessen topografisch Relief Karte

It is a busy place with over six million people living there. This large population makes it the fifth largest state in the country. The capital city of the state is Wiesbaden.

0472-0490R-Hessische Staatskanzlei
0472-0490R-Hessische Staatskanzlei

Frankfurt am Main is the largest urban area in Hesse. It is also the most important center for money in Germany.

Ffm msu-2018-2241
Ffm msu-2018-2241

Other important cities in this region are Darmstadt and Kassel.

Luisenplatz
Luisenplatz

The name Hesse comes from a group of people called the Hessians. These people were part of an older tribe known as the Chatti.

Arms of the house of Hesse
Arms of the house of Hesse

In the past, the land was divided into many different smaller parts. These included places like the Grand Duchy of Hesse and the free city of Frankfurt. By the year 1945, the borders were set to create the state we see today. The area covers about 21,114 square kilometers of land. It sits near other regions like Rhineland-Palatinate.

Map of Hesse with districts (with numbers)
Map of Hesse with districts (with numbers)

People have lived in this part of the world for a very long time. Scientists found stone tools that are 13,000 years old. They even found a skull from 12,000 years ago near the village of Rhünda.

Eichkopf vom Atzelberg aus gesehen
Eichkopf vom Atzelberg aus gesehen

Long ago, the Romans built a military camp at Dorlar. Later, the Franks took control of the area. They built strong walls and trenches to protect their land. One large construction was the Büraburg, which was a very big man-made structure.

DSC03686 Blick von Burg Schadeck auf Runkel
DSC03686 Blick von Burg Schadeck auf Runkel

History shows that Hesse has played big roles in many wars. In the 1700s, a leader named Frederick II ruled Hesse-Kassel. He had a way to make money for his government. He loaned 19,000 soldiers to Great Britain to fight in the American Revolutionary War.

Arms of the house of Hesse-Darmstadt
Arms of the house of Hesse-Darmstadt

These soldiers became famous and were called Hessians in English. Later, the French Republic occupied parts of the land during the Napoleonic Wars. This led to many changes in how the different territories were organized. The state has seen many different rulers over the centuries.

Today, Hesse is still a very important part of German life. It is home to the Frankfurt Rhine-Main area. This is the second-largest metropolitan area in all of Germany.

Offenbach am main from drone
Offenbach am main from drone

Even science honors the state in a special way. In 1997, scientists named a new element hassium after Hesse.

Ffm msu-2018-2241
Ffm msu-2018-2241

You can see the state's history in its many beautiful cities and parks.

Schlosspark Wilhelmshöhe 001
Schlosspark Wilhelmshöhe 001

From its ancient tribes to modern science, Hesse remains a fascinating place.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Arms of the house of Hesse.svg
Arms of the house of Hesse.svg
File:Arms of the house of Hesse-Darmstadt.svg
Arms of the house of Hesse-Darmstadt.svg
File:Coat of Arms of the Grand Duchy of Hesse 1806-1918.svg
Coat of Arms of the Grand Duchy of Hesse...
File:Hessen topografisch Relief Karte.png
Hessen topografisch Relief Karte.png
File:DSC03686 Blick von Burg Schadeck auf Runkel.jpg
DSC03686 Blick von Burg Schadeck auf Runkel.jpg
File:Eichkopf vom Atzelberg aus gesehen.jpg
Eichkopf vom Atzelberg aus gesehen.jpg
File:Blick vom Großen Mannstein am Staufen.jpg
Blick vom Großen Mannstein am Staufen.jpg
File:Map of Hesse with districts (with numbers).svg
Map of Hesse with districts (with numbers).svg
File:0472-0490R-Hessische Staatskanzlei.jpg
0472-0490R-Hessische Staatskanzlei.jpg
File:Ffm_msu-2018-2241.jpg
Ffm_msu-2018-2241.jpg
File:Schlosspark Wilhelmshöhe 001.jpg
Schlosspark Wilhelmshöhe 001.jpg
File:Luisenplatz.jpg
Luisenplatz.jpg

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