Saarland

I

Introduction

Saarland, state in south-western Germany, bounded on the north and east by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, on the south by France, and on the west by France and Luxembourg. The state has an area of 2,570 sq km (992 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

Saarland is the smallest federal state of Germany (not counting city-states) and is made up of densely forested hills, dominated by the Saar River valley, which transects the region from south-east to north-west. The Saar, a tributary of the Mosel, is well connected to several European canals and waterways. Other important rivers are the Blies, the Nied, and the Prims. To the north of the state are the Hunsrück Mountains, which—together with the Schwarzwälder Hochwald and Iderwald forests—form a large part of the Saar-Hunsrück nature park, situated partly in Saarland (1,020 sq km/394 sq mi) and partly in Rhineland-Palatinate (918 sq km/354 sq mi). Other protected areas include lakes Bostal and Losheim and the Saar River loop near Mettlach. To the south, the hills extend towards French Lorraine.

III

Population

In 2004 the state had a population of 1,061,000; in 2004, the population density was 413 people per sq km (1,070 people per sq mi). Most of the population is concentrated in the urban areas lying along and to the north of the Saar River valley, centred in the area bounded by the cities of Saarbrücken, Dillingen, and Neunkirchen. Saarbrücken is the state’s capital and has a population of 180,300 (2005 estimate). Other important cities include Dillingen (population, 2005 estimate, 21,300), Neunkirchen (2005, 143,645), Saarlouis (2005, 210,343), Sankt Wendel (2005, 94,086), Sulzbach (1997, 19,869), and Völklingen (2005 estimate, 41,300). Apart from German, French is widely spoken in the state.

IV

Education and Culture

The University of Saarland was founded in 1948 in cooperation with France. A number of research institutions are associated with the University, including the Institute for New Materials; the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence; and the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science. Other educational establishments include the University of Applied Sciences, the Academy of Arts, and the College of Music (all located in Saarbrücken). The state library, state archives, and the state theatre are also in the capital.

Saarland’s rich industrial heritage is reflected in its cultural landscape; the renovated Völklingen ironworks were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The state is also rich in archaeological finds, including excavations from Roman times in the European Cultural Park at Reinheim-Bliesbruck, in Homburg-Schwarzenacker, and in Kirkeler Burg; notable Roman mosaics can be seen at Perl-Nenning. Saarland prides itself on its varied architectural heritage, with a medieval castle at Siersburg, medieval reenactments at Kirkel, the ruins of the 15th-century castle Montclair, the well-preserved 16th-century buildings at Ottweiler, and Baroque architecture in Saarbrücken. Noteworthy museums include the archaeological museum and the Museum of Saarland, both located in the capital.

Saarland hosts a number of cultural festivals, notably town festivals in Saarbrücken and Saarlouis, a jazz festival in Sankt Ingbert, the cider festival in Merzig, and the wine festival in Perl.