Braunschweig

Braunschweig
source
Name	Braunschweig
State	Lower Saxony
District	urban district
Elevation	75
Area	192.13
Population	248,823
Pop date	2022-12-31
Postal code	38100–38126
Area code	0531, 05307, 05309
Licence	BS
Website	[https://www.braunschweig.de/ www.braunschweig.de]
Mayor	Thorsten Kornblum
Party	SPD

Braunschweig is a major city in northern Germany, situated on the Oker river. It is the second-largest city in the state of Lower Saxony and a historically significant center of commerce and power. The city is renowned for its rich medieval heritage, scientific institutions, and as the traditional seat of the House of Welf.

History

Tradition holds that the settlement was founded around 861 by Bruno II. It gained prominence under Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, who made it his principal residence in the 12th century, erecting the Lion Monument and the Cathedral. The city later joined the Hanseatic League and was a leading member of the Schmalkaldic League during the Protestant Reformation. Following the German Mediatisation, the Duchy of Brunswick was established, with the city serving as its capital until the abdication of Duke Ernest Augustus in 1918. Heavily damaged during the Allied bombing in World War II, its historic core was extensively reconstructed in the postwar period.

Geography

The city is located in the North German Plain, approximately 65 kilometers east of Hanover and 40 kilometers southeast of Wolfsburg. The Oker river forms a characteristic ring around the city's historic center, known as the Okerumflut. Notable geographical features include the nearby Elm forest and the Mittelriede area. The urban area is divided into 19 boroughs, including Viewegsgarten-Bebelhof, Wabe-Schunter-Beberbach, and Heidberg-Melverode.

Demographics

As of December 2022, the population was 248,823, making it one of the largest cities in northern Germany. The city has a significant international community, with residents from over 150 nations, including sizable communities from Turkey, Poland, and Syria. Historically, the population was predominantly Lutheran, influenced by reformers like Johannes Bugenhagen. The city is home to a Jewish community with a history dating to the 13th century, centered around the New Synagogue.

Economy

Braunschweig is a hub for science and technology, hosting major research institutions like the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and the German Aerospace Center. It is a center for the automotive industry, with major operations for Volkswagen and Continental AG, and has a strong presence in information technology and life sciences. The city is part of the Metropolregion Hannover-Braunschweig-Göttingen-Wolfsburg economic region. Traditional industries include sugar refining, with the company Nordzucker headquartered here.

Culture

The city is famous for its medieval landmarks, including the Dankwarderode Castle, the Gewandhaus, and the Altstadtmarkt with its Old Town Hall. Important museums are the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum, one of the oldest in Europe, and the State Museum of Brunswick. It is the birthplace of mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss and writer Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, who worked at the Bibliotheca Augusta in Wolfenbüttel. The city hosts the annual Braunschweiger Karneval and is home to the Staatstheater Braunschweig.

Transport

Braunschweig is served by the Braunschweig Hauptbahnhof on major rail lines connecting to Hanover, Berlin, and Frankfurt. The city is linked to the Autobahn network via the A2 and A39 motorways. Local public transport is operated by Braunschweiger Verkehrs-GmbH, with an extensive tram and bus network. The city is also served by Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport, located north of the city center, offering primarily business and charter flights.

Category:Cities in Lower Saxony Category:Urban districts of Lower Saxony Category:Hanover–Brunswick–Göttingen–Wolfsburg Metropolitan Region