Giessen

Giessen (German: Gießen) is a city in the state of Hesse, Germany, situated on the Lahn river in central Germany. It is a regional center in Mittelhessen and hosts a high concentration of higher education and research institutions, including Justus Liebig University Giessen and the Giessen campus of Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen. The city has a service‑oriented economy with education, health care, and research as key sectors, and it features several museums, a botanical garden, and historic architecture in its old town.

Historically, Giessen developed during the Middle Ages and grew as a seat of education after the founding of the University of Giessen in 1607 by Louis VI, Landgrave of Hesse‑Darmstadt. The university's tradition in the natural sciences is exemplified by figures such as Justus von Liebig, the 19th‑century chemist who taught there and contributed to agricultural chemistry and fertilizers. The city preserves a 17th‑century town center and a number of educational and research facilities run by the university.

Transport: Giessen is a rail hub on the Main‑Weser Railway, with Giessen Hauptbahnhof linking to Frankfurt, Marburg and other destinations. It is connected to the regional road network and serves as a gateway to the surrounding Wetterau and Lahn‑Dill regions. Cultural and educational institutions include the Mathematicum, the University Library, and the botanical garden associated with the university. The local press includes the Gießener Anzeiger.