Schleswig-Holstein facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Schleswig Holstein

Flag	Coat of arms

Position of Schleswig-Holstein within Germany

Country

Germany

Capital

Kiel

Area

• Total

15,763 km² (6,086 sq mi)

Population

(November 2006)

• Total

2,834,305

• Density

179.807/km² (465.699/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Website

schleswig-holstein.de

Schleswig-Holstein is the most northern of the 16 states in Germany. Its name in Danish is Slesvig-Holsten. In Low Saxon, it is called Sleswig-Holsteen, and in Frisian, it is Sleeswyk-Holstein.

Schleswig-Holstein shares a border with Denmark to the north. To the west is the North Sea. The Baltic Sea and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are to the east. To the south, it borders Lower Saxony and Hamburg. The city of Kiel is the capital of this state.

There are four main independent towns in Schleswig-Holstein:

Exploring Schleswig-Holstein's Geography
- Western Lowlands and Islands
- Eastern Coast and Hills
Culture and Traditions
- Popular Festivals and Events
- Museums and Arts
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Schleswig-Holstein's Geography

Geography of Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is located at the base of the Jutland Peninsula. It lies between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The name "Schleswig" refers to the southern part of Schleswig in Germany. The northern part of Schleswig is in Denmark. The state also includes Holstein, Lauenburg, and the city of Lübeck.

The state borders Denmark to the north. To the west is the North Sea. The Baltic Sea is to the east. To the south, it borders the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Western Lowlands and Islands

The western part of Schleswig-Holstein is mostly flat. It has very few hills. The North Frisian Islands are here. Most of Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast is part of a special area. This area is the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. It is the largest national park in Central Europe. Heligoland is Germany's only island far out in the North Sea.

Eastern Coast and Hills

The Baltic Sea coast in the east has many bays and fjords. It also has steep cliffs. You can find rolling hills and many lakes here. This is especially true in eastern Holstein, known as Holstein Switzerland. The highest point is the Bungsberg, which is 168 meters (551 feet) tall. Fehmarn is the only island off the eastern coast.

The longest river, besides the Elbe, is the Eider. The most important waterway is the Kiel Canal. This canal connects the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Culture and Traditions

A popular dessert, Rødgrød, served with milk or custard.

Schleswig-Holstein has a mix of Danish and German cultures. Old castles and large country homes show this blend. Some foods are also shared, like Rødgrød. This is a red berry pudding. Many surnames, like Hansen, are also common in both areas.

Popular Festivals and Events

The most important festivals are the Kiel Week and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. Kiel Week is a big sailing event. The Music Festival is an annual classical music festival held across the state. The Lübeck Nordic Film Days is another important event. It is a film festival for movies from Scandinavian countries. It takes place in Lübeck every year.

The annual Wacken Open Air festival is very famous. It is known as the world's largest heavy metal rock festival.

Museums and Arts

The state's main museum for cultural history is in Gottorf Castle in Schleswig. It tells the story of the region. The famous opera singer Klaus Florian Vogt is also from Schleswig-Holstein.

Images for kids

The historic settlement areas in present-day Schleswig-Holstein
Results of the 1920 votes in North and Central Schleswig
A German postage stamp remembering the Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations
A boundary stone for the District of Ostholstein
Schleswig-Holstein's islands, beaches, and cities are popular for tourists. This is the Isle of Sylt.
A Holstein cow
A shrimp boat near Südfall
The main office of Dräger in Lübeck
Geest landscape on the Island of Sylt
Seestermüher Marsh
Eckernförde Bay
The Wadden Sea
View from Parnaßturm in Holstein Switzerland
Kieler Förde
Kiel Week 2019
Wacken Open Air Festival
Kiel Week 2019
Crab toast with dill
Holsteiner Sauerfleisch, a traditional dish
Holsteiner Katenschinken, a type of smoked ham
Kieler Sprotten, small smoked fish
Birnen, Bohnen und Speck, a dish with pears, beans, and bacon
Grünkohl mit Mettenden, a dish with kale and sausages
Krümmel Nuclear Power Plant
View from the Elbe River: Krümmel Nuclear Power Plant on the left, Research Center on the right
Diagram of KKK (Krümmel Nuclear Power Plant) and GKSS (Research Center)
Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant
Haithabu Museum
North Sea Coast at Amrum
Red Cliff on Sylt
Lübeck City Hall
Historic City Center of Lübeck
Baltic Sea Coast at Timmendorfer Strand
The island of Heligoland
Kappeln Herring Day
Rosa Iceberg ("World-favorite Rose", 1983) from W. Kordes' Söhne
A tree nursery in Pinneberg
Greenhouse of Rosen Tantau
Rosa Apricola ("Goldenen Rose", 2005) from W. Kordes' Söhne
A cabbage field
Lürssen-Kröger Shipyard in Rendsburg
Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems Shipyard in Kiel
Flensburg FSG Shipyard
Vossloh G 12 train
Vossloh DE 18 train
Vossloh G 2000 BB train
Voith Gravita 15L BB train
Voith Revita train
Voith Maxima train
The Kiel-Canal as seen from the North Sea
The Kiel-Canal as seen from the Baltic Sea
A freighter moving through the Kiel Canal
The Hochdonn Ferry
Pilot Station Rüsterbergen
The Port of Lübeck
The Port of Puttgarden
The Oil Port of Brunsbüttel
The Port of Kiel
University of Lübeck
Europa-University Flensburg
Christians-Albrechts-University of Kiel
University of Applied Sciences in Lübeck
University of Applied Sciences Flensburg
University of Applied Sciences Kiel