Thuringia

Thuringia, officially Freistaat Thüringen, is a federal state of Germany located in central Europe. It is bordered by Lower Saxony to the northwest, Hesse to the west and southwest, Bavaria to the south, Saxony to the east, and Saxony-Anhalt to the north. The capital and largest city is Erfurt. Other major urban centers include Jena, Gera, Weimar, Eisenach, Nordhausen and Suhl. The state has a population of about 2.1 million people.

Geography and environment are shaped by the Thuringian Forest along the southern part of the state, as well as the Saale and Ilm rivers that traverse various valleys and towns. The landscape features forested hills, rolling plains, and historic towns that attract visitors and support local agriculture and industry.

History and culture: the region was once composed of numerous small states and principalities; after German reunification in 1990 it formed the modern Free State of Thuringia. The state is known for its cultural heritage, including the city of Weimar as a center of classical literature and the Bauhaus movement, and Eisenach with Wartburg Castle, a site tied to German Reformation and medieval history.

Economy and infrastructure: the economy is diverse, with automotive supply, mechanical engineering, optics, and services playing important roles. Tourism, education and research contribute significantly, supported by a well-developed transport network that connects Thuringia with national and European routes; Erfurt serves as a major rail hub with nearby air access at Erfurt-Weimar Airport.

Education: Thuringia hosts several universities, including Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the University of Erfurt, as well as Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, among others.