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Schleswig-Holstein

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost state in Germany.

Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein

It sits right next to the country of Denmark. To its south, it borders Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lower Saxony. The city-state of Hamburg is also nearby. The state is made of two main historical areas. One is the Duchy of Holstein. The other is the southern part of the Duchy of Schleswig.

Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein

The capital city of this state is Kiel. Other important cities include Lübeck and Flensburg. It is the fifth smallest state in Germany by area.

Life in this region is tied closely to the water. Because it sits near the Atlantic Ocean, it is a busy place for trade. Ships use the famous Kiel Canal to move through the area.

Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein

People also work in the fishing industry. This work is so important that it shapes the local food. Many people visit the islands and beaches for fun.

13-09-29-nordfriesisches-wattenmeer-RalfR-05
13-09-29-nordfriesisches-wattenmeer-RalfR-05

You might also see large wind farms out at sea. These wind farms and offshore oil wells produce energy for the land.

Long ago, many different tribes lived on this land. The Jutes lived in the far north. The Angles lived further south.

AreasSettlementSchleswig-HolsteinText
AreasSettlementSchleswig-HolsteinText

Later, the Danes moved in and settled the region. They built a huge earthwork called the Danevirke to protect themselves. This wall was 30 kilometers long.

Hærvejen
Hærvejen

It helped stop raids from neighbors like the Saxons and Wagrians. The Danes also used this wall to collect fees from traders. This helped the leaders grow very wealthy.

Trade was a huge part of history here. A main path called the Hærvejen ran through the peninsula.

Hærvejen
Hærvejen

People used this path to carry goods like honey, furs, and glass. They also moved large herds of cattle along the way. This is why some people call it the "Cattle Way."

Posing - Flickr - Tobi NDH
Posing - Flickr - Tobi NDH

In the 800s, Frisian people arrived from the west. They settled on islands like Sylt and Föhr. They were very good at trading salt and fish.

Ownership of this land changed many times over the years. In the 1800s, there was a big dispute called the Schleswig-Holstein Question. Both Danes and Germans wanted to control the area. After wars in 1848 and 1864, the land became part of Prussia.

Abstimmung-schleswig-1920
Abstimmung-schleswig-1920

Later, after World War I, people voted on who should rule. This vote sent the northern part back to Denmark. Today, the region is a peaceful place known for its farms and cows.

Posing - Flickr - Tobi NDH
Posing - Flickr - Tobi NDH
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🖼️ Images & Media (32)
File:AreasSettlementSchleswig-HolsteinText.png
AreasSettlementSchleswig-HolsteinText.png
File:Hærvejen.gif
Hærvejen.gif
File:Limes.saxoniae.wmt.png
Limes.saxoniae.wmt.png
File:Abstimmung-schleswig-1920.png
Abstimmung-schleswig-1920.png
File:Schleswig-Holstein.png
Schleswig-Holstein.png
File:Schleswig-Holstein Kreise (nummeriert).svg
Schleswig-Holstein Kreise (nummeriert).svg
File:DEU Kreis Dithmarschen COA.svg
DEU Kreis Dithmarschen COA.svg
File:Wappen Herzogtum Lauenburg alt.svg
Wappen Herzogtum Lauenburg alt.svg
File:Wappen Kreis Nordfriesland.svg
Wappen Kreis Nordfriesland.svg
File:DEU Kreis Ostholstein COA.svg
DEU Kreis Ostholstein COA.svg
File:DEU Kreis Pinneberg COA.svg
DEU Kreis Pinneberg COA.svg
File:Wappen Kreis Ploen.svg
Wappen Kreis Ploen.svg

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