The federal state of Lower Saxony lies in the northwest of Germany. With a surface of approx. 47.627 square kilometres it is, after the Free State of Bavaria, the second largest federal state, and with approx. 7.78 million inhabitants also the fourth largest in Germany. Lower Saxony is bordering the Netherlands and is also having the most neighbouring federal states. Its capital is the city of Hannover.

In the north lies the North Sea with her wild coast, the mudflats and the East Frisian Islands as well as the Elbe, all naturally bordering the federal state. In the southeast, state's borders cross the Harz Mountains, with Wurmberg (971-m height) being the highest mountain of North Germany. Both the northeast part of Lower Saxony with the Lüneburg Heath and the west part belong to the North German Lowlands, while the south part is part of the Lower Saxony Mountains.

Most of the 86 dams in Lower Saxony are situated in the mountains of Harz which is one of the rainiest areas in Germany. The dams are both for drinking water production and flood control.

Nine harbours play an important role in the states‘ economy as well as mining and exploitation of raw materials. Furthermore many enterprises have their headquarters in the federal state of Lower Saxony; even some today international groups started their business here.

More information: http://www.lower-saxony.de/portal/live.php?navigation_id=28532&_psmand=1016

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