Bayern

Bayern, officially the Free State of Bavaria, is the largest federal state of Germany by area, located in the southeast. It borders Baden-Württemberg and Hesse to the west, Thuringia and Saxony to the north, and Austria and the Czech Republic to the south and east. Its capital and largest city is Munich. The state encompasses Alpine foothills in the south, the Danube valley, and the Bavarian Forest, with major rivers including the Isar and the Danube.

Home to around 13 million people, Bayern has a diverse economy driven by manufacturing, engineering, automotive, and high-tech industries, as well as tourism related to the Alps, castles, and historic towns. Historically, Bayern was a duchy, then the Kingdom of Bavaria (1806–1918), and became a Free State after the 1918 revolution. In modern Germany, it is a state governed under a parliamentary system; the government is headed by a minister-president, and the capital is Munich.

Culturally, Bayern features distinct dialects, a strong beer culture, and major festivals such as Oktoberfest. Other significant cities include Nuremberg, Augsburg, Regensburg, and Würzburg.

A leading sports club from Bayern is FC Bayern Munich, based in Munich, which has won numerous national titles and European competitions.