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Hanover (in German: Hannover) is the capital city of the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) in Germany. It is situated at the Leine river. Population: 523,100 (1999).
History
The town was founded in medieval times on the bank of the Leine river (the original name Honovere may be translated to "high bank"). It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen, which became a comparatively large town in the 13th century. In the 14th century a massive city wall with three town gates was built to secure the city, and the main churches of Hanover were constructed.
It was in 1636, when the duke of Calenberg decided to move his residence to Hanover. His duchy was afterwards known as the duchy of Hanover (see: House of Hanover). His descendants should later become kings of England; the first of them was George I, who ascended to the British throne in 1714. Three kings of England were at the same time princes (Electors) of Hanover. George III elevated the title to King of Hanover. The town expanded to the opposite bank of the Leine river and grew considerably.
In 1837 the personal union of Great Britain and Hanover was ended, as William IV's heir in Great Britain was female, and Hanover could be inherited only by males. Hanover continued as a kingdom until 1866, when it was annexed by Prussia. The growth of Hanover continued until World War II, when two thirds of the town were bombed to ashes. After the war Hanover became famous for commercial expos, the Deutsche Messe, where the annual CeBIT is held, the world's greatest computer expo. In 2000 Hanover hosted the EXPO 2000.
Sights
- Marktkirche (church, 14th century)
- Altes Rathaus (old town hall, 15th century)
- Leineschloss (the former castle of the kings, today the seat of Lower Saxony's government)
- Herrenhäuser Gärten (botanical gardens)
Miscellaneous
Note: Hanover is the correct English spelling, even though the German spelling is with double N.
Famous quarters of Hanover:
Hannover-Nordstadt
Herrenhausen
The rock bands Scorpions and Fury in the Slaughterhouse are originally from Hanover.
External link
City's own website: http://www.hannover.de/
Hanover is also the name of the district surrounding the city of Hanover: see Hanover (district)
Hanover is also the name of a number of places in the United States of America: