Middle Franconia

Middle Franconia (German: Mittelfranken, pronounced [ˈmɪtl̩ˌfʁaŋkn̩] (listen)) is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany.[2] It is located in the west of Bavaria and borders the state of Baden-Württemberg. The administrative seat is Ansbach; however, the most populous city is Nuremberg.[3]

Middle Franconia

Mittelfranken
Flag
Coat of arms
Map of Bavaria highlighting Middle Franconia (district)
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
Region seatAnsbach
Area
  Total7,245.70 km2 (2,797.58 sq mi)
Population
 (31 December 2019)[1]
  Total1,775,169
  Density240/km2 (630/sq mi)
Websiteregierung.mittelfranken.bayern.de

Subdivisions

The region is divided into seven districts ('Landkreise') and five independent cities ('Kreisfreie Städte').[4]

Independent cities

Districts

History

After the founding of the Kingdom of Bavaria the state was totally reorganised and, in 1808, divided into 15 administrative government regions (German: Regierungsbezirke (singular Regierungsbezirk)), in Bavaria called Kreise (singular: Kreis). They were created in the fashion of the French departements, quite even in size and population, and named after their main rivers.

In the following years, due to territorial changes (e. g. loss of Tyrol, addition of the Palatinate), the number of Kreise was reduced to 8. One of these was the Rezatkreis (Rezat District). In 1837 king Ludwig I of Bavaria renamed the Kreise after historical territorial names and tribes of the area. This also involved some border changes or territorial swaps. Thus the district name of Rezatkreis changed to Middle Franconia.

Main sights

Next to the major city Nuremberg, the capital Ansbach and the former residence city Erlangen, the towns of the Romantic Road Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl belong to the major tourist attractions. The Lichtenau Fortress, Rothenberg Fortress, Hohenstein and Cadolzburg belong to the most important castles of Middle Franconia. The Franconian Jura and the northern valley of the River Altmühl are among the scenic attractions.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms displays:
  • the black and white pattern of the Hohenzollern family in the upper dexter quarter (the first quarter)[5]
  • the Arms of Franconia in the lower dexter quarter (the 3rd quarter)[6]
  • the sinister half of the German Imperial Eagle (similar to that displayed by the German Confederation) in the sinister half.[7]

Population

YearInhabitants
1900815,895
1910930,868
19391,065,122
19501,273,030
19611,371,144
19701,486,389
19871,521,484
20021,703,869
20051,712,275
20061,712,622
20081,714,453
20101,710,876
20151,738,686
20191,775,169

Economy

The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 78.6 billion € in 2018, accounting for 2.4% of German economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 40,900 € or 136% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 105% of the EU average.[8]

See also

References

  1. "Tabellenblatt "Daten 2", Statistischer Bericht A1200C 202041 Einwohnerzahlen der Gemeinden, Kreise und Regierungsbezirke". Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik und Datenverarbeitung (in German). July 2020.
  2. Berg-Schlosser, Dirk (1993). Political Culture in Germany. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-349-22767-9.
  3. "Allgerman.com - Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken)". allgerman.com. 2018-10-27.
  4. Pressestelle, Regierung von Mittelfranken. "Regierung von Mittelfranken". www.regierung.mittelfranken.bayern.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  5. County of Hohenzollern
  6. Franconia
  7. File:Wappen Deutscher Bund.svg
  8. "Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018". Eurostat.
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