Hessen

Hessen, officially the Federal State of Hessen, is a federal state (Land) of Germany located in the central-western part of the country. It borders North Rhine-Westphalia to the northwest, Lower Saxony to the north, Thuringia to the northeast, Bavaria to the southeast, Baden-Württemberg to the south, and Rhineland-Palatinate to the west. The state capital is Wiesbaden, and its largest city by population is Frankfurt am Main. With about 6.3 million residents and an area of roughly 21,000 square kilometers, Hessen combines dense urban centers with large rural areas and forests.

Geography: The landscape includes low mountain ranges such as the Taunus, Kellerwald and Rhön, as well as the Rhine‑Main urban region. The Main river runs through Frankfurt and is a key waterway; other important rivers include the Fulda and Lahn. The state contains protected areas and national parks, including portions of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park.

Economy and infrastructure: Hessen has one of Germany’s strongest economies. Frankfurt am Main is a global financial center hosting institutions such as the European Central Bank and Deutsche Bank, and the Frankfurt Airport is a major transport hub. The state also has chemical, mechanical engineering and automotive industries, universities and research institutes.

Administration and history: The state is divided into three Regierungsbezirke (Darmstadt, Gießen and Kassel) and numerous districts and independent cities. The modern state was established in 1945 after World War II; prior to that it included historic territories such as the Landgraviate and Electorate of Hesse.