State capital: Erfurt Population: 2.5 million Area: 16,251 sq km
At the geographical center of Germany, Thüringen historically has been one of Germany's most fragmented areas. It is the home of the city of Weimar - selected as Europe's City of Culture for 1999, the 250th anniversary of Goethe's birth.
Weimar, besides giving its name to the republic which ruled Germany between the World Wars, was also the home of
Schiller, Goethe, and Liszt. Also in Thüringen is the Wartburg, where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.
One of the centers of industry during the 1900s, Thüringen has become industrialized once more following the reunification of Germany. However, its great natural wonders - including the Thuringian Forest - has caused it to be called Germany's green heart.
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One of the centers of industry during the 1900s, Thüringen has become industrialized once more following the reunification of Germany.