View source for Hesse

{{short description|State in Germany}}
{{About||the writer|Hermann Hesse|other persons|Hesse (surname)|other uses|Hesse (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = State of Hesse
| native_name        = {{native name|de|Land Hessen}}
| native_name_lang   = de
| settlement_type    = [[States of Germany|State]]
| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 270pxf
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Hesse.svg
| flag_size          = 120px
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Hesse.svg
| shield_size        = 75px
| anthem             = {{lang|de|[[Hessenlied]]}}<br />{{smaller|"Song of Hesse"}}<br>{{center|}}
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=y|plain=yes|frame-align=center|zoom=5|type=shape<!--line-->|id=|stroke-color=|stroke-width=2|frame-lat=51.1|frame-long=10.5|frame-width=250|frame-height=300}}
| mapsize            = 270px
| map_caption        = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|50.608028| 9.028472|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Germany]]
| subdivision_type1  = 
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Wiesbaden]]
| seat1_type         = Largest city
| seat1              = [[Frankfurt am Main]]
| governing_body     = [[Landtag of Hesse]]
| leader_party       = CDU
| leader_title       = [[Minister-President]]
| leader_name        = [[Boris Rhein]]
| leader_title1      = Governing parties
| leader_name1       = {{Polparty|Germany|CDU}} / {{Polparty|Germany|SPD}}
| leader_title2      = [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat votes]]
| leader_name2       = 5 (of 69)
| leader_title3      = [[Bundestag|Bundestag seats]]
| leader_name3       = [[Results of the 2025 German federal election#Hesse|45 (of 630)]] <small>(as of 2025)</small>
| total_type         = Total
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Fläche und Bevölkerung |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |access-date=2025-06-18|website=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |language=de}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 21115.62
| elevation_m        = 
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Bevölkerung am 31.12.2023 nach Nationalität und Bundesländern |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bevoelkerung/Bevoelkerungsstand/Tabellen/bevoelkerung-nichtdeutsch-laender.html |access-date=2025-06-18|website=Statistisches Bundesamt |language=de}}</ref>
| population_total   = 6,420,729
| population_as_of   = 2023-12-31
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_demonym = Hessian
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |year=2025 |title=Gross domestic product, gross value added in the states of the Federal Republic of Germany 1991 to 2024 (Series 1 Volume 1) |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/sites/default/files/2025-04/vgrdl_r1b1_bs2024_2.xlsx |website=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |language=de}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = €368.298 billion (2024)
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = €57,288 (2024)
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +2
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = 
| registration_plate = 
| blank2_name_sec2   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022)
| blank2_info_sec2   = 0.954<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/DEU/ |title=Subnational HDI |website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of German states by Human Development Index|5th of 16]]
| iso_code           = DE-HE
| blank_name_sec2    = [[First level NUTS of the European Union#Germany|NUTS Region]]
| blank_info_sec2    = DE7
| website            = [https://hessen.de/ www.hessen.de]
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Hesse'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|h|ɛ|s}} {{respell|HESS}},<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Hesse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182128/https://www.lexico.com/definition/hesse |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2020 |title=Hesse |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|h|ɛ|s|ə|,_|ˈ|h|ɛ|s|i}} {{respell|HESS|ə|,_|HESS|ee}};<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Hesse|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> {{IPA|de|ˈhɛzə|label=[[Hessian dialect]]:|generic=yes}}.}} or '''Hessen'''{{efn|Sometimes known as '''Hessia''' in English ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|h|ɛ|s|i|ə}} {{respell|HESS|ee|ə}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|h|ɛ|ʃ|ə}} {{respell|HESH|ə}})}} ({{langx|de|Hessen}} {{IPA|de|ˈhɛsn̩||de-Hessen.ogg}}), officially the '''State of Hesse''' ({{langx|de|links=no|Land Hessen}}), is a [[States of Germany|state]] in [[Germany]]. Its capital city is [[Wiesbaden]], and the largest [[urban area]] is [[Frankfurt]], which is also the country's principal [[financial centre]]. Two other major historic cities are [[Darmstadt]] and [[Kassel]]. With an area of 21,114.73 square kilometers and a population of over six million, it ranks seventh and fifth, respectively, among the sixteen German states. [[Frankfurt Rhine-Main]], Germany's second-largest metropolitan area (after [[Rhine-Ruhr]]), is mainly located in Hesse.

As a [[cultural region]], Hesse also includes the area known as [[Rhenish Hesse]] (Rheinhessen) in the neighboring state of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rheinhessen.de/geschichte-kurz-und-knapp|title=Geschichte. Kurz und knapp – Geschichte – Identität – Region – Rheinhessen|work=Rheinhessen.de|access-date=13 May 2018|language=de|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514064826/https://www.rheinhessen.de/geschichte-kurz-und-knapp|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The German name {{lang|de|[[:wikt:Hessen#German|Hessen]]}}, like the names of other German regions ({{lang|de|Schwaben}} "[[Swabia]]", {{lang|de|Franken}} "[[Franconia]]", {{lang|de|Bayern}} "[[Bavaria]]", {{lang|de|Sachsen}} "[[Saxony]]"<!--; as well as some country names, such as ''[[Hungary|Ungarn]]'', ''[[Poland|Polen]]'', ''[[Sweden|Schweden]]'', etc.-->), derives from the dative plural form of the name of the inhabitants or [[German tribes|eponymous tribe]], the Hessians ({{lang|de|Hessen}}, singular {{lang|de|Hesse}}). The geographical name represents a short equivalent of the older compound name {{lang|de|Hessenland}} ("land of the Hessians"). The [[Old High German]] form of the name is recorded as {{lang|goh|Hessun}} (dative plural of {{lang|goh|Hessi}}); in [[Middle Latin]] it appears as {{lang|la|Hassonia}}, {{lang|la|Hassia}}, {{lang|la|Hessia}}. The name of the Hessians ultimately continues the tribal name of the ''[[Chatti]]''.<ref>[[Gudmund Schütte]], ''Our forefathers : The Gothonic nations : A manual of the ethnography of the Gothic, German, Dutch, Anglo-Saxon, Frisian and Scandinavian peoples'', vol. 2 (1933), [https://books.google.com/books?id=0R9aAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA191 p. 191] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406000712/https://books.google.com/books?id=0R9aAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA191 |date=6 April 2023 }}.</ref> The ancient name ''Chatti'' by the 7th century is recorded as ''Chassi'', and from the 8th century as ''Hassi'' or ''Hessi''.<ref>Christian Presche, ''Kassel im Mittelalter: Zur Stadtentwicklung bis 1367'' vol. 1 (2013), [https://books.google.com/books?id=5ZfbAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA41 p. 41] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413014858/https://books.google.com/books?id=5ZfbAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA41 |date=13 April 2023 }}.</ref>

An inhabitant of Hesse is called a "Hessian" (German: {{lang|de|[[:wikt:Hesse#German|Hesse]]}} (masculine), plural {{lang|de|Hessen}}, or {{lang|de|Hessin}} (feminine), plural {{lang|de|Hessinnen}}). The [[American English]] term [[Hessian (soldier)|"Hessian"]] for 18th-century British auxiliary troops originates with Landgrave [[Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse|Frederick II]] of [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel|Hesse-Kassel]] hiring out regular army units to the government of Great Britain to fight in the [[American Revolutionary War]].

The English form ''Hesse'' was in common use by the 18th century, first in the hyphenated names of the states of ''Hesse-Cassel'' and ''Hesse-Darmstadt'', but the latinate form ''Hessia'' remained in common English usage well into the 19th century.<ref>"The Hessians, called, in the early history of Germany, Catti, lived in the present Hessia". ''The Popular Encyclopedia: Or, Conversations Lexicon'' vol. 3 (1862), p. 720. Occasional English use of ''Hessia'' is found until the present day, e.g. P. J. J. Welfens, ''Stabilizing and Integrating the Balkans'', Springer Science & Business Media (2001), [https://books.google.com/books?id=mRHByuEAKQkC&pg=PA119 p. 119.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406115440/https://books.google.com/books?id=mRHByuEAKQkC&pg=PA119 |date=6 April 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Hessia%2CHesse&year_start=1700&year_end=2019&corpus=26&smoothing=3 |title=Chart of usage frequency: Hessia, Hesse |website=Google Books Ngram Viewer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=ilpert|first=Joseph Leonhard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B944AQAAMAAJ&q=Hessia+dictionary&pg=PA548|title=A Dictionary of the English and German and the German and English Language|date=1857|publisher=B. Hermann|access-date=28 November 2020|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901193530/https://books.google.com/books?id=B944AQAAMAAJ&q=Hessia+dictionary&pg=PA548#v=snippet&q=Hessia%20dictionary&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[European Commission]] uses the German form {{lang|de|Hessen}}, even in English-language contexts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2025 |title=Country Compendium: A companion to the English Style Guide |url=https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/2d706ca2-0927-4a58-a0f4-ae76aae2d84c_en#page=66 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821223508/https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/2d706ca2-0927-4a58-a0f4-ae76aae2d84c_en |archive-date=21 August 2025 |access-date=21 August 2025 |page=58}}</ref>

The [[synthetic element]] [[hassium]], number 108 on the [[periodic table]], was named after the state of Hesse in 1997, following a proposal of 1992.<ref>"Names and symbols of transfermium elements (IUPAC Recommendations 1997)". ''Pure and Applied Chemistry''. 69.12 (1997), p. 2471. {{doi|10.1351/pac199769122471}}.</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Hesse}}
The territory of Hesse was delineated only in 1945, as [[Greater Hesse]], under [[American occupation zone in Germany|American occupation]]. It corresponds loosely to the medieval [[Landgraviate of Hesse]].
In the 19th century, prior to the [[unification of Germany]], the territory of what is now Hesse comprised the territories of [[Grand Duchy of Hesse]] (also known as Hesse-Darmstadt), the [[Duchy of Nassau]], the free city of [[Frankfurt]], the [[Electorate of Hesse]] (also known as Hesse-Kassel), the [[Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont|Principality of Waldeck]] and the [[Hesse-Homburg|Landgraviate of Hesse-Homburg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hessen.de/Wissen/Geschichte-des-Landes/19-Jahrhundert|title=19. Jahrhundert|website=hessen.de|access-date=6 November 2024|language=de}}</ref>

=== Early history ===
{{further|Chatti|Austrasia}}
The Central Hessian region was inhabited in the [[Upper Paleolithic]]. Finds of tools in southern Hesse in Rüsselsheim suggest the presence of Pleistocene hunters about 13,000 years ago. A [[Rhünda Skull|fossil hominid skull]] that was found in northern Hesse, just outside the village of Rhünda, has been dated at 12,000 years ago. The [[Züschen (megalithic tomb)|Züschen tomb]] (German: Steinkammergrab von Züschen, sometimes also Lohne-Züschen) is a prehistoric burial monument, located between [[Lohne, Germany|Lohne]] and [[Züschen, Fritzlar|Züschen]], near [[Fritzlar]], Hesse, Germany. Classified as a gallery grave or a Hessian-Westphalian stone [[cist]] (''hessisch-westfälische Steinkiste''), it is one of the most important [[megalithic]] monuments in Central Europe. Dating to {{Circa|3000 BC}}, it belongs to the Late [[Neolithic]] [[Wartberg culture]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

An early [[Celt]]ic presence in what is now Hesse is indicated by a mid-5th-century BC [[La Tène culture|La Tène]]-style burial uncovered at [[Glauberg]]. The region was later settled by the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[Chatti]] tribe around the 1st century BC, and the name ''Hesse'' is a continuation of that tribal name.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The [[Ancient Rome|ancient Romans]] had a military camp in Dorlar, and in Waldgirmes directly on the eastern outskirts of Wetzlar was a civil settlement under construction. Presumably, the provincial government for the occupied territories of the right bank of Germania was planned at this location. The governor of Germania, at least temporarily, likely had resided here. The settlement appears to have been abandoned by the Romans after the devastating [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]] failed in the year AD 9. The Chatti were also involved in the [[Revolt of the Batavi]] in AD 69.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Hessia, from the early 7th century on, served as a buffer between areas dominated by the [[Saxons]] (to the north) and the [[Franks]], who brought the area to the south under their control in the early sixth century and occupied [[Thuringia]] (to the east) in 531.<ref>Clay 125-27, 137–39.</ref> Hessia occupies the northwestern part of the modern German state of Hesse; its borders were not clearly delineated. Its geographic center is [[Fritzlar]]; it extends in the southeast to [[Hersfeld]] on the river Fulda, in the north to past [[Kassel]] and up to the rivers Diemel and Weser. To the west, it occupies the valleys of the rivers Eder and Lahn (the latter until it turns south). It measured roughly 90 kilometers north–south, and 80 north-west.<ref>Clay 120.</ref>

The area around Fritzlar shows evidence of significant pagan belief from the 1st century on. Geismar was a particular focus of such activity; it was continuously occupied from the Roman period on, with a settlement from the Roman period, which itself had a predecessor from the 5th century BC. Excavations have produced a [[horse burial]] and bronze artifacts. A possible religious cult may have centered on a natural spring in Geismar, called ''Heilgenbron''; the name "Geismar" (possibly "energetic pool") itself may be derived from that spring. The village of {{Interlanguage link|Maden, Gudensberg|de|3=Maden (Gudensberg)}}, now a part of [[Gudensberg]] near Fritzlar and less than ten miles from Geismar, was likely an ancient religious center; the basaltic outcrop of Gudensberg is named after Wodan, and a two-meter tall [[quartzite]] [[megalith]] called the ''[[Wotanstein (Hesse)|Wotanstein]]'' is at the center of the village.<ref>Clay 132–137.</ref>

By the mid-7th century, the Franks had established themselves as overlords, which is suggested by archeological evidence of burials, and they built fortifications in various places, including [[Christenberg]].<ref>Clay 143–155.</ref> By 690, they took direct control over Hessia, apparently to counteract expansion by the Saxons, who built fortifications in [[Diemelstadt|Gaulskopf]] and [[Eresburg]] across the river Diemel, the northern boundary of Hessia. The [[Büraburg]] (which already had a Frankish settlement in the sixth century<ref>Rau 141.</ref>) was one of the places the Franks fortified to resist the Saxon pressure, and according to John-Henry Clay, the Büraburg was "probably the largest man-made construction seen in Hessia for at least seven hundred years". Walls and trenches totaling one kilometer in length were made, and they enclosed "8 hectares of a spur that offered a commanding view over Fritzlar and the densely-populated heart of Hessia".<ref>Clay 157–158.</ref>

Following Saxon incursions into Chattish territory in the 7th century, two ''[[Gau (country subdivision)|gau]]e'' had been established; a Frankish one, comprising an area around [[Fritzlar]] and [[Kassel]], and a Saxonian one. In the 9th century, the Saxon [[Hessengau]] also came under the rule of the Franconians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy Roman Empire {{!}} Definition, History, Maps, & Significance {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Holy-Roman-Empire |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Holy Roman Empire ===
{{further|Duchy of Franconia|Duchy of Thuringia|Landgraviate of Hesse|Free City of Frankfurt|Upper Rhenish Circle|Hesse-Marburg|Hesse-Rheinfels|Hesse-Homburg|Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel|Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt}}
{{further|Ludovingians|House of Hesse|List of rulers of Hesse}}
[[File:Arms of the house of Hesse.svg|thumb|upright=0.6|The Ludovingian coat of arms with its ''lion rampant barry argent and gules'', the so-called [[Coat of arms of Hesse|lion of Hesse]]]]
From 962 the land which would become Hesse was part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. In the 10th and 11th centuries it was mostly encompassed by the [[Rhenish Franconia|Western or Rhenish]] part of the [[stem duchy]] of [[Duchy of Franconia|Franconia]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In the 12th century, [[Hessengau]] passed to the [[Landgraviate of Thuringia]]. As a result of the [[War of the Thuringian Succession]] (1247–1264) the former Thuringian lands were partitioned between the [[House of Wettin|Wettin]] [[Margraviate of Meissen]], which gained Thuringia proper, and the new [[Landgraviate of Hesse]], which remained with the [[Ludovingians]]. From that point on the Ludovingian coat of arms came to represent both Thuringia and Hesse.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

It rose to prominence under Landgrave [[Philipp I of Hesse|Philip the Magnanimous]], who was one of the leaders of German [[Protestantism]]. After Philip's death in 1567, the territory was divided among his four sons from his first marriage (Philip was a [[Polygamy|bigamist]]) into four lines: [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel|Hesse-Kassel]] (or Hesse-Cassel), [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt|Hesse-Darmstadt]], [[Hesse-Rheinfels]], and the also previously existing [[Hesse-Marburg]]. As the latter two lines died out quite quickly (1583 and 1605, respectively), Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt were the two core states within the Hessian lands. Several collateral lines split off during the centuries, such as in 1622, when [[Hesse-Homburg]] split off from Hesse-Darmstadt, and in 1760 when [[Hesse-Hanau]] split off from Hesse-Kassel. In the late 16th century, Kassel adopted [[Calvinism]], while Darmstadt remained [[Lutheran]] and consequently the two lines often found themselves on opposing sides of conflicts, most notably in the disputes over Hesse-Marburg and in the [[Thirty Years' War]], when Darmstadt fought on the side of the Emperor, while Kassel sided with [[Swedish Empire|Sweden]] and [[Kingdom of France|France]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

[[File:Arms of the house of Hesse-Darmstadt.svg|thumb|upright=0.6|Coat of arms of Hesse-Darmstadt]]
The Landgrave [[Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel|Frederick II]] (1720–1785) ruled Hesse-Kassel as a benevolent despot, from 1760 to 1785. He combined [[The Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] ideas with Christian values, [[Cameralism|cameralist]] plans for central control of the economy, and a militaristic approach toward diplomacy.<ref>Ingrao, Charles W. (2003). ''The Hessian Mercenary State: Ideas, Institutions, and Reform under Frederick II, 1760–1785''.</ref> He funded the depleted treasury of the poor government by loaning 19,000 soldiers in complete military formations to [[Great Britain]] to fight in North America during the [[American Revolutionary War]], 1776–1783. These soldiers, commonly known as [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessians]], fought under the British flag. The British used the Hessians in several conflicts, including in the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798]]. For further revenue, the soldiers were loaned to other places as well. Most were conscripted, with their pay going to the Landgrave.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Modern history ===
{{further|Electorate of Hesse|Grand Duchy of Hesse|Hesse-Nassau|People's State of Hesse|Province of Kurhessen|Greater Hesse}}
[[File:Coat of Arms of the Grand Duchy of Hesse 1806-1918.svg|thumb|upright=0.6|Coat of arms of the [[Grand Duchy of Hesse]]]]

==== French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars ====
In 1789 the [[French Revolution]] began and in 1794, during the [[War of the First Coalition]], the [[First French Republic|French Republic]] occupied the [[Left Bank of the Rhine]], including part of Lower Katzenelnbogen ({{lang|de|{{ill|Niedergrafschaft Katzenelnbogen|de}}}}, Hesse-Kassel's part of the former [[County of Katzenelnbogen]] which was held by the [[appanage]] [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Rotenburg|Hesse-Rotenburg]]). [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Francis II]] formally recognised the annexation of the Left Bank in the 1801 [[Treaty of Lunéville]]. This led in 1803 to the {{lang|de|[[Reichsdeputationshauptschluss]]}}, a substantial reorganisation ([[German mediatisation|mediatisation]]) of the states and territories of the Empire. Several [[exclave]]s of [[Electorate of Mainz|Mainz]] were mediatised to [[Hesse-Kassel]] and [[Hesse-Darmstadt]], and Hesse-Darmstadt also gained the [[Duchy of Westphalia]] from [[Electorate of Cologne|Cologne]], the parts of [[Prince-Bishopric of Worms|Worms]] on the right-bank of the Rhine, and the former [[Free Imperial City|Free City]] of [[Friedberg, Hesse|Friedberg]]. [[Nassau-Weilburg]] gained the right-bank territories of [[Electorate of Trier|Trier]] among other territories. [[Principality of Orange-Nassau|Orange-Nassau]] gained the [[Prince-Bishopric of Fulda]] (as the [[Principality of Nassau-Orange-Fulda]]). The [[Landgrave]] of Hesse-Kassel was also elevated to the status of [[Prince-Elector]] ({{lang|de|Kurfürst}}), with his state thereby becoming the [[Electorate of Hesse]] or Electoral Hesse ({{langx|de|Kurhessen|link=no}}, {{lang|de|Kur}} being the German-language term for the Empire's [[Electoral College (Holy Roman Empire)|College of Electors]]).{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In July 1806 Hesse-Darmstadt, Nassau-Weilburg, [[Nassau-Usingen]], and the newly merged [[Principality of Isenburg]] became founding members of [[Napoleon]]'s [[Confederation of the Rhine]]. Hesse-Darmstadt expanded further in the resulting mediatisation, absorbing numerous small states (including [[Hesse-Homburg]] and much of the territory of the Houses of {{ill|House of Solms|lt=Solms|de|Solms (Adelsgeschlecht)}}, {{ill|House of Erbach|de|lt=Erbach|Erbach (Adelsgeschlecht)}} and [[Sayn-Wittgenstein]]). It was also elevated by Napoleon to the status of [[Grand Duchy]], becoming the [[Grand Duchy of Hesse]]. Orange-Nassau, which refused to join the Confederation, lost [[Nassau-Siegen|Siegen]], [[Nassau-Dillenburg|Dillenburg]], [[Nassau-Hadamar|Hadamar]] and [[Beilstein, Hesse|Beilstein]] to [[Grand Duchy of Berg|Berg]] and Fulda to the [[Prince-primate#Germany - Confederation of the Rhine|Prince-Primate]] of the Confederation (and former Elector of Mainz) [[Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg|Karl Theodor von Dalberg]]; the remainder of its territory was merged with that of Nassau-Usingen and Nassau-Weilburg in August 1806 to form the [[Duchy of Nassau]]. [[Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont|Waldeck]] also joined the Confederation in 1807.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

[[Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire|The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in August 1806]], rendering Hesse-Kassel's electoral privilege meaningless. Hesse-Kassel was occupied by the French in October 1806 and the remainder of Lower Katzenelnbogen was annexed to the [[First French Empire|French Empire]] as {{lang|fr|{{ill|Pays réservé de Catzenellenbogen|de}}}}. The rest of its territory was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Westphalia]] in 1807; [[Hesse-Hanau]] (a [[secundogeniture]] of Hesse-Kassel) was annexed to the [[Grand Duchy of Frankfurt]] in 1810 along with the other territories held by the Prince-primate: Frankfurt, Fulda, [[Principality of Aschaffenburg|Aschaffenburg]] and [[Wetzlar#Free Imperial City|Wetzlar]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

As a result of the [[German campaign of 1813]] the Kingdom of Westphalia and the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt were dissolved and Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Hanau were restored; Orange-Nassau was also restored in its territories previously lost to Berg.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

As a result of the 1815 [[Congress of Vienna]] Hesse-Kassel gained Fulda (roughly the western third of the former Prince-Bishopric, the rest of which went to [[Kingdom of Bavaria|Bavaria]] and [[Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach]]) from Frankfurt and part of Isenburg, while several of its small northern [[exclave]]s were absorbed into [[Kingdom of Hanover|Hanover]], some small eastern areas were ceded to Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and Lower Katzenelnbogen was ceded to Nassau. Hesse-Darmstadt lost the Duchy of Westphalia and the Sayn-Wittgensteiner lands to the [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]n [[Province of Westphalia]] but gained territory on the left bank of the Rhine centred on Mainz, which became known as [[Rhenish Hesse]] ({{lang|de|Rheinhessen}}), and the remainder of Isenburg. Orange-Nassau, whose ruler was now also King [[William I of the Netherlands|William I]] of [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands|the Netherlands]] and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, was ceded to Prussia but most of its territory aside from Siegen was then ceded on to Nassau. Hesse-Homburg and the [[Free City of Frankfurt]] were also restored.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

While the other former Electors had gained other titles, becoming either Kings or [[Grand Duke]]s, the Elector of Hesse-Kassel alone retained the anachronistic title of Prince-Elector; a request to be recognised as "King of the [[Chatti]]" ({{lang|de|König der Katten}}) was rejected by the Congress.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Following mediation, the Congress of Vienna had significantly fewer states remained in the region that is now Hesse: the Hessian states, Nassau, Waldeck and Frankfurt. The Kingdoms of Prussia and Bavaria also held some territory in the region. The Congress established the [[German Confederation]], of which they all became members. Hesse-Hanau was (re-)absorbed into Hesse-Kassel in 1821.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==== German Empire ====

In the 1866 [[Austro-Prussian War]] the states of the region allied with [[Austrian Empire|Austria]] were defeated during the [[Campaign of the Main]]. Following Prussia's victory and dissolution of the German Confederation, Prussia annexed Electoral Hesse, Frankfurt, Hesse-Homburg, Nassau and small parts of Bavaria and the Grand Duchy of Hesse, which were then combined into the [[Province of Hesse-Nassau]]. The name {{lang|de|Kurhessen}} survived, denoting the region around Kassel. The Grand Duchy of Hesse retained its autonomy in defeat because a greater part of the country was situated south of the river [[Main (river)|Main]] and it was feared that Prussian expansion beyond the Main might provoke France. However, [[Upper Hesse]] ({{langx|de|Oberhessen|link=no}}: the parts of Hesse-Darmstadt north of the Main around the town of [[Gießen]]) was incorporated into the [[North German Confederation]] ({{lang|de|Norddeutscher Bund}}), a tight federation of German states established by Prussia in 1867, while also remaining part of the Grand Duchy. In 1871, after France's defeat in the [[Franco-Prussian War]], the whole of the Grand Duchy joined the [[German Empire]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Around the turn of the 20th century, Darmstadt was one of the centres of the [[Jugendstil]]. Until 1907, the Grand Duchy of Hesse used the Hessian red and white lion ''barry'' as its coat-of-arms.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==== Weimar and Nazi periods ====
The [[German Revolution of 1918–1919|revolution of 1918]] following the German defeat in [[WWI]] transformed Hesse-Darmstadt from a monarchy to a republic, which officially renamed itself the [[People's State of Hesse]] ({{lang|de|Volksstaat Hessen}}). The state parliament, or ''[[Landtag]]'' consisted of 70 deputies elected on the basis of [[proportional representation]]. There were six [[Hessian Landtag elections in the Weimar Republic|Landtag elections]] between 1919 and 1932. Following the [[Nazi seizure of power]] in Berlin, the ''Landtag'' was formally abolished as a result of the "[[Law on the Reconstruction of the Reich]]" of 30 January 1934, which replaced the German [[federal system]] with a [[unitary state]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The parts of Hesse-Darmstadt on the left bank of the Rhine (Rhenish Hesse), as well as those right-bank areas of Hesse-Darmstadt and Hesse-Nassau within {{convert|30|km|abbr=on}} of Koblenz or Mainz [[Occupation of the Rhineland|were occupied by French troops]] until 1930 under the terms of the [[Treaty of Versailles|Versailles peace treaty]] that officially ended World War I in 1919. The Kingdom of Prussia became the [[Free State of Prussia]], of which Hesse-Nassau remained a province.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In 1929 the [[Free State of Waldeck]] was dissolved and incorporated into Hesse-Nassau. In 1932 [[Wetzlar]] ({{lang|de|{{ill|Landkreis Wetzlar|de}}}}), formerly an exclave of the Prussian [[Rhine Province]] situated between Hesse-Nassau and the Grand Duchy's Upper Hesse, was transferred to Hesse-Nassau. The former Hessian exclave of [[Rinteln]] ({{lang|de|{{ill|Landkreis Grafschaft Schaumburg|de|lt=Kreis Rinteln}}}}, the Hessian part of the former [[County of Schaumburg]]) was also detached and transferred to the [[Province of Hanover]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

On 1 July 1944 the Prussian Province of Hesse-Nassau was formally divided into the provinces of [[Province of Kurhessen|Kurhessen]] and [[Province of Nassau|Nassau]]. At the same time the former Hessian [[Schmalkalden]] exclaves ({{lang|de|{{ill|Landkreis Herrschaft Schmalkalden|de}}}}), together with the {{lang|de|{{ill|Regierungsbezirk Erfurt|de}}}} of the [[Province of Saxony]], were transferred to [[Thuringia]]. The territories of the new provinces did not directly correspond with their pre-1866 namesakes but rather with the associated NSDAP {{lang|de|[[Administrative divisions of Nazi Germany|Gau]]e}}: [[Gau Electoral Hesse]] and [[Gau Hesse-Nassau]] (excluding the areas which were part of the People's State of Hesse).{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==== Post-World War II ====
After [[World War II]], the Hessian territory west of the Rhine [[French occupation zone in Germany|was again occupied by France]], while the rest of the region was part of the [[American occupation zone in Germany|US occupation zone]]. On 17 September 1945 the [[Wanfried agreement]] adjusted the border between American-occupied Kurhessen and [[Soviet occupation zone in Germany|Soviet-occupied]] Thuringia. The United States proclaimed the state of [[Greater Hesse]] ({{lang|de|Groß-Hessen}}) on 19 September 1945, out of the People's State of Hesse and most of what had been the Prussian Provinces of Kurhessen and Nassau. The French incorporated their parts of Hesse (Rhenish Hesse) and Nassau (as {{lang|de|[[Regierungsbezirk Montabaur]]}}) into the newly founded state of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] ({{lang|de|Rheinland-Pfalz}}) on 30 August 1946.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

On 4 December 1946, Greater Hesse was officially renamed {{lang|de|Hessen}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://60stolzejahre.hessen.de/dynasite.cfm?dssid=77&dsmid=1898 |title=Hessen – 60 stolze Jahre – Zeittafel 1945/1946 |access-date=1 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017144544/http://60stolzejahre.hessen.de/dynasite.cfm?dssid=77&dsmid=1898 |archive-date=17 October 2006 }}</ref>
Hesse in the 1940s received more than a million [[Heimatvertriebene|displaced ethnic Germans]].

Due to its proximity to the [[Inner German border]], Hesse became an important location of [[NATO]] installations in the 1950s, especially military bases of the US [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]] and [[United States Army Europe]].

The first elected minister president of Hesse was [[Christian Stock]], followed by [[Georg-August Zinn]] (both [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democrats]]). The German Social Democrats gained an absolute majority in 1962 and pursued progressive policies with the so-called {{lang|de|Großer Hessenplan}}. The [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]] gained a relative majority in the 1974 elections, but the Social Democrats continued to govern in a coalition with the [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]]. Hesse was first governed by the CDU under [[Walter Wallmann]] during 1987–1991, replaced by a SPD-Greens coalition under [[Hans Eichel]] during 1991–1999. From 1999, Hesse was governed by the CDU under [[Roland Koch]] (retired 2010) and [[Volker Bouffier]] (incumbent as of 2020).
[[Frankfurt]] during the 1960s to 1990s developed into one of the major cities of West Germany. As of 2016, 12% of the total population of Hesse lived in the city of Frankfurt.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

== Geography ==
{{See also|List of places in Hesse|List of mountains of Hesse}}
[[File:Hessen topografisch Relief Karte.png|thumb|The most important rivers, mountains, and cities of Hesse]]

The only state to straddle west and central portions of Germany where the eight [[ordinal directions]] (compass points) and the centre is considered, Hesse borders six other states. These are, from north, clockwise: [[Lower Saxony]], [[Thuringia]], [[Bavaria]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], and [[North Rhine-Westphalia]].

The most populous towns and cities of Hesse are in the southwest, the [[Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region]] namely [[Frankfurt am Main]], [[Wiesbaden]], [[Darmstadt]], [[Offenbach, Hesse|Offenbach]], [[Hanau]], [[Giessen]], [[Wetzlar]], and [[Rüsselsheim am Main]]. Outside, but very near the south-west corner of Hesse are four populous, highly technologised, places: [[Worms, Germany|Worms]], [[Ludwigshafen]], [[Mannheim]], and [[Heidelberg]].

Other large Hessian towns are [[Fulda]] in the [[East Hesse|east]], [[Kassel]] and [[Marburg an der Lahn]] in the [[North Hesse|north]] and [[Limburg an der Lahn]] in the west. All of the "on the river" suffixes are locally and, informally far beyond, omitted of these cities. The plain between the rivers Main, Rhine, and lower Neckar, and the Odenwald ridge of low mountains or very high hills is called the Ried which continues to north, across the Main, as the Wetterau. Both plains which are quite densely populated also have a substantial built environment such as the country's largest airport, contrasting with the more forested, hillier middle and northern thirds of Hesse.

[[File:DSC03686 Blick von Burg Schadeck auf Runkel.jpg|thumb|River [[Lahn]] in [[Runkel]]]]
[[File:Eichkopf vom Atzelberg aus gesehen.jpg|thumb|[[Taunus]] landscape with [[Großer Feldberg]] in the center of the background]]
The longest rivers in Hesse are the [[Eder (Fulda)|Eder]] and moreover its distributary the [[Fulda (river)|Fulda]] draining most of the north, the [[Lahn]] in the centre-west and, as to those navigable by large vessels, the [[Main (river)|Main]] and very broad [[Rhine]] in the south. The countryside is hilly and the topographical map, inset, names 14 short, low to medium-height mountain ranges including the [[Rhön]], the [[Westerwald]], the [[Taunus]], the [[Vogelsberg Mountains|Vogelsberg]], the [[Knüll]] and the [[Spessart]]. The notable range forming the southern taper of Hesse (shared with a narrowing of the Ried, the Rhine's eastern plain) and briefly spanning the middle Neckar valley which begins directly east of Heidelberg (thus also in [[Baden-Württemberg]]) is the [[Odenwald]]. Forming a mid-eastern tiny projection into mostly Thuringia is the uppermost part of the [[Ulster (river)|Ulster]], commanding the west valley side of which is the Hessian highest point, [[Wasserkuppe]] at 950m above sea level &ndash; in the Rhön.

The Rhine forms the long southwest border of Hesse. Two notables [[oxbow lake]]s, the [[:de:Stockstadt-Erfelder Altrhein|Stockstadt-Erfelder Altrhein]] and [[:de:Lampertheimer Altrhein|Lampertheimer Altrhein]] are in the south-west fringe.

Hesse, 42% forest, is by that measure the greenest state in Germany.<ref name="HesseGeography">{{cite web|title=Our State|url=http://www.hessen.eu/irj/hessen_en_Internet?cid=42734bf7b41385446b3a113d3314add9|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130106184553/http://www.hessen.eu/irj/hessen_en_Internet?cid=42734bf7b41385446b3a113d3314add9|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 January 2013|publisher=State of Hesse|access-date=14 April 2011}}</ref>

== Administration ==
Hesse is a [[unitary state]] governed directly by the [[Landtag of Hesse|Hessian government]] in the capital city Wiesbaden, partially through regional vicarious authorities called ''Regierungspräsidien''. Municipal parliaments are, however, elected independently from the state government by the Hessian people. Local municipalities enjoy a considerable degree of [[home rule]].

=== Districts ===
[[File:Blick vom Großen Mannstein am Staufen.jpg|thumb|282px|View from ''Staufen'' mountain over several towns of the district [[Main-Taunus-Kreis]] with [[Kelkheim]] in the foreground as well as [[Liederbach am Taunus|Liederbach]], [[Bad Soden]], [[Sulzbach, Hesse|Sulzbach]] and [[Eschborn]] in the middleground ([[Frankfurt]] in the back)]]
The state is divided into three administrative provinces (''Regierungsbezirke''): [[Kassel (region)|Kassel]] in the north and east, [[Gießen (region)|Gießen]] in the centre, and [[Darmstadt (region)|Darmstadt]] in the south, the latter being the most populous region with the [[Frankfurt Rhine-Main]] agglomeration in its central area. The administrative regions have no legislature of their own, but are executive agencies of the state government.

[[File:Map of Hesse with districts (with numbers).svg|frameless|upright=1.35]]
[[File:0472-0490R-Hessische Staatskanzlei.jpg|thumb|The state chancellery building in the capital city of [[Wiesbaden]]]]
[[File:Ffm_msu-2018-2241.jpg|thumb|[[Frankfurt am Main]] skyline]]
[[File:Schlosspark Wilhelmshöhe 001.jpg|thumb|[[Kassel]] with [[Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe]]]]
[[File:Luisenplatz.jpg|thumb|[[Darmstadt]]]]
[[File:Offenbach am main from drone.jpg|thumb|[[Offenbach, Hesse|Offenbach am Main]]]]
Hesse is divided into 21 districts (Kreise) and five independent cities, each with their own local governments. They are, shown with abbreviations as used on vehicle number plates:

# [[Kreis Bergstraße|Bergstraße]] <small>([[Heppenheim]])</small> (HP)
# [[Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg|Darmstadt-Dieburg]] <small>([[Darmstadt]])</small> (DA, DI)
# [[Groß-Gerau (district)|Groß-Gerau]] <small>([[Groß-Gerau]])</small> (GG)
# [[Hochtaunuskreis]] <small>([[Bad Homburg]])</small> (HG, USI)
# [[Main-Kinzig-Kreis]] <small>([[Gelnhausen]])</small> (MKK, GN, HU, SLÜ)
# [[Main-Taunus-Kreis]] <small>([[Hofheim am Taunus]])</small> (MTK)
# [[Odenwaldkreis]] <small>([[Erbach (Odenwald)|Erbach]])</small> (ERB)
# [[Offenbach (district)|Offenbach]] <small>([[Dietzenbach]])</small> (OF)
# [[Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis]] <small>([[Bad Schwalbach]])</small> (RÜD, SWA)
# [[Wetteraukreis]] <small>([[Friedberg, Hesse|Friedberg]])</small> (FB, BÜD)
# [[Gießen (district)|Gießen]] <small>([[Gießen]])</small> (GI)
# [[Lahn-Dill-Kreis]] <small>([[Wetzlar]])</small> (LDK, DIL, WZ)
# [[Limburg-Weilburg]] <small>([[Limburg an der Lahn|Limburg]])</small> (LM, WEL)
# [[Marburg-Biedenkopf]] <small>([[Marburg]])</small> (MR, BID)
# [[Vogelsbergkreis]] <small>([[Lauterbach, Hesse|Lauterbach]])</small> (VB)
# [[Fulda (district)|Fulda]] <small>([[Fulda]])</small> (FD)
# [[Landkreis Hersfeld-Rotenburg|Hersfeld-Rotenburg]] <small>([[Bad Hersfeld]])</small> (HEF, ROF)
# [[Kassel (district)|Kassel]] <small>([[Kassel]])</small> (KS, HOG, WOH)
# [[Schwalm-Eder-Kreis]] <small>([[Homberg (Efze)]])</small> (HR, ZIG, FZ)
# [[Werra-Meißner-Kreis]] <small>([[Eschwege]])</small> (ESW, WIZ)
# [[Waldeck-Frankenberg]] <small>([[Korbach]])</small> (KB, FKB, WA)

Independent cities:
# [[Darmstadt]] (DA)
# [[Frankfurt am Main]] (F)
# [[Kassel]] (KS)
# [[Offenbach am Main]] (OF)
# [[Wiesbaden]] (WI)

=== Rhenish Hesse ===
{{main article|Rhenish Hesse}}
The term "Rhenish Hesse" ({{langx|de|Rheinhessen}}) refers to the part of the former Grand Duchy of [[Grand Duchy of Hesse|Hesse-Darmstadt]] located west of the [[Rhine]]. It has not been part of the State of Hesse since 1946 due to divisions in the aftermath of World War II. This province is now part of the State of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]. It is a hilly countryside largely devoted to vineyards; therefore, it is also called the "land of the thousand hills". Its larger towns include [[Mainz]], [[Worms, Germany|Worms]], [[Bingen am Rhein|Bingen]], [[Alzey]], [[Nieder-Olm]], and [[Ingelheim]]. Many inhabitants commute to work in Mainz, Wiesbaden, or Frankfurt.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

== State symbols and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Hesse}}

Hesse has been a parliamentary republic since 1918, except during [[Nazi Germany|Nazi rule]] (1933–1945). The German federal system has elements of exclusive federal competences, shared competences, and exclusive competences of the states. Hesse is famous for having a rather brisk style in its politics with the ruling parties being either the center-right [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU) or the center-left [[Social Democratic Party of Germany]] (SPD). Due to the Hessian electoral laws, the biggest party normally needs a smaller coalition partner.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Head of state ===
As Hesse is a partly sovereign [[federated state]], its constitution combines the offices of the [[head of state]] and [[head of government]] in one office called the [[Minister-president|Minister-President]] (German: ''Ministerpräsident'') which is comparable to the office of a [[prime minister]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== 2023 election ===
After the 2023 election, the coalition government in Hesse changed from a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Alliance 90/The Greens coalition to an agreement between the CDU and Social Democratic Party.<ref name="s748">{{cite web | last=Hetrodt | first=Ewald | title=Schwarz-roter Koalitionsvertrag in Hessen ist beschlossen | website=FAZ.NET | date=2023-12-16 | url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/schwarz-roter-koalitionsvertrag-in-hessen-ist-beschlossen-19389531.html#pageIndex_2 | language=de | access-date=2024-12-02}}</ref>
{{Election table
| title=Summary of the 8 October 2023 election results for the [[Landtag of Hesse]]<ref>{{
Cite web
| access-date=2023-11-06
| language=de
| title=Hessen Wahlergebnis
| url=https://wahlen.hessen-ltw23.23degrees.eu/wk/00000000000/overview
| website=Hessen Wahlergebnis
}}</ref>|
}}
|-
! colspan="2" | Party
! Seats 
! +/-
|-
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
| align="left" | [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]]
| 52
| {{increase}} 12
|-
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Alternative for Germany}}" |
| align="left" | [[Alternative for Germany]]
| 28
| {{increase}} 9
|-
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}" |
| align="left" | [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]]
| 23
| {{decrease}} 6
|-
| bgcolor="{{Party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}" |
| align="left"| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]]
|22
| {{decrease}} 7
|-
! colspan="2" | Total
! 133
! {{decrease}} 4
|-
|}
===2018 election===
[[File:Landtag of Hesse 2018.svg|thumb|The Hessian parliament as of the 2018 election]]
In the [[Hessian state election, 2018|2018 state elections]] the two leading parties, CDU and SPD, lost 11.3% (7 seats) and 10.9% (8 seats) of the vote respectively. The Green party, a member of Hesse's previous governing coalition with CDU, gained 8.7% (16 seats). The largest gains during the election were made by [[Alternative for Germany]] (AfD) at 13.1%. As AfD had not passed the 5% threshold in the [[Hessian state election, 2013|2013 state election]], this marked its first entry into the [[Landtag of Hesse|Hessian parliament]] (''Hessischer Landtag''). The two other parties also made gains. The major losses of the two leading parties (whose [[Grand coalition (Germany)|coalition]] made up the federal cabinet during the election) closely mirrors the results of the [[Bavarian state election, 2018|2018 state elections in Bavaria]]. In the 2018-2023 parliament, the conservative CDU held 40 seats, the centre-left SPD and the leftist Green party each held 29 seats, the right-wing AfD held 19 seats, the liberal [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]] party held 11 seats and the socialist party [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]] held 9 seats.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Foreign affairs ===
As a member state of the German federation, Hesse does not have a diplomatic service of its own. However, Hesse operates representation offices in such foreign countries as the United States, China, Hungary, Cuba, Russia, Poland, and Iran. These offices are mostly used to represent Hessian interests in cultural and economic affairs. Hesse has also permanent representation offices in Berlin at the [[federal government of Germany]] and in [[Brussels]] at the [[institutions of the European Union]].<ref>State of Hesse. Foreign representation offices. [http://www.hessen-yaroslavl.de/dynasite.cfm?dsmid=15154] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823090345/http://www.hessen-yaroslavl.de/dynasite.cfm?dsmid=15154|date=23 August 2014}} Retrieved 30 June 2014</ref>

=== Flag and anthem ===
The flag colors of Hesse are red and white, which are printed on a Hessian sack. The civil flag of Hesse resembles that of [[Monaco]]'s and, particularly, [[Indonesia]]'s. The [[Coat of arms of Hesse|Hessian coat of arms]] shows a lion rampant striped with red and white (silver), on a blue field. The official anthem of Hesse is called "''[[Hessenlied]]''" ("Song of Hesse") and was written by Albrecht Brede (music) and Carl Preser (lyrics).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hessen.de/fuer-besucher/leben-hessen/ich-kenne-ein-land|title="Ich kenne ein Land" {{!}} Informationsportal Hessen|website=www.hessen.de|language=de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223645/https://www.hessen.de/fuer-besucher/leben-hessen/ich-kenne-ein-land|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{See also|List of cities in Hesse by population}}
{{historical populations|13=1950|14=4343720|15=1955|16=4577198|17=1960|18=4783352|19=1965|20=5170449|21=1970|22=5424529|23=1975|24=5549823|25=1980|26=5601031|27=1985|28=5529413|29=1990|30=5763310|31=1995|32=6009913|33=2001|34=6077826|35=2011|36=5971816|37=2022|38=6207278|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref name="StatistikHessen">{{Cite web|url=https://statistik.hessen.de/zahlen-fakten/bevoelkerung-gebiet-haushalte-familien/bevoelkerung/tabellen|title=Tabellen Bevölkerung|date=18 September 2017|website=Statistik.Hessen|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129080658/https://statistik.hessen.de/zahlen-fakten/bevoelkerung-gebiet-haushalte-familien/bevoelkerung/tabellen|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Germany: States and Major Cities|url=https://citypopulation.de/en/germany/cities/|access-date=18 July 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901193530/https://citypopulation.de/en/germany/cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Significant foreign resident populations<ref>[https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Bevoelkerung/MigrationIntegration/AuslaendBevoelkerung2010200147004.pdf?__blob=publicationFile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205151/https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Bevoelkerung/MigrationIntegration/AuslaendBevoelkerung2010200147004.pdf?__blob=publicationFile|date=3 March 2016}} 31 December 2014 German Statistical Office. 
[https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Bevoelkerung/MigrationIntegration/AuslaendBevoelkerung.html ''Zensus 2014: Bevölkerung am 31. Dezember 2014''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115000511/https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Bevoelkerung/MigrationIntegration/AuslaendBevoelkerung.html|date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" | Nationality
! scope="col" style="max-width:5em;" | Popul{{shy}}ation (31 Dec{{shy}}ember 2022)
! scope="col" style="max-width:5em;" | Popul{{shy}}ation (31 Dec{{shy}}ember 2023)
|-
| {{flag|Turkey}} || 160,250 || 166,885
|-
| {{flag|Ukraine}} || 88,075 || 95,915
|-
| {{flag|Romania}} || 82,025 || 83,510
|-
| {{flag|Poland}} || 83,760 || 79,530
|-
| {{flag|Italy}} || 76,155 || 73,990
|-
| {{flag|Syria}} || 60,365 || 62,655
|-
| {{flagcountry|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan}} || 49,650 || 62,260
|-
| {{flag|Croatia}} || 58,640 || 56,220
|-
| {{flag|Bulgaria}} ||53,300 || 55,690 
|-
| {{flag|Greece}} || 40,655 || 36,285
|-
| {{flag|Serbia}} ||32,865 || 33,835
|-
| {{flag|Spain}} || 29,340 || 29,465
|-
| {{flag|India}} || 24,415 || 27,910
|-
| {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} || 25,645 || 26,665
|-
| {{flag|Russia}} || 20,470 || 22,115
|-
| {{flag|Morocco}} || 21,830 || 21,255
|-
| {{flag|Pakistan}} || 18,725 || 19,925
|-
| {{flag|Eritrea}} || 19,695 || 18,685
|-
|}
Hesse has a population of over 6&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statistik-bw.de/Statistik-Portal/de_zs01_he.asp|title=Gemeinsames Datenangebot der Statistischen Ämter des Bundes und der Länder|last=Baden-Württemberg|first=Statistisches Landesamt|website=www.statistik-bw.de|language=de|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612213024/http://statistik-bw.de/Statistik-Portal/de_zs01_he.asp|archive-date=12 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> nearly 4&nbsp;million of which is concentrated in the Rhein-Main region (German: ''Rhein-Main Gebiet'') in the south of the state, an area that includes the most populous city, [[Frankfurt am Main]], the capital [[Wiesbaden]], and [[Darmstadt]] and [[Offenbach am Main|Offenbach]].<ref name="StatistikHessen"/> The population of Hesse is predicted to shrink by 4.3% by 2030, with the biggest falls in the north of the state, especially in the area around the city of [[Kassel]]. Frankfurt is the fastest growing city with a predicted rise in population of 4.8% by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statistik-hessen.de/publikationen/download/30/index.html|title=Bevölkerung in Hessen 2060 – Regionalisierte Bevölkerungsvorausberechnung für Hessen bis 2030 Basisjahr: 31.12.2014|website=www.statistik-hessen.de|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-date=6 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506135731/http://www.statistik-hessen.de/publikationen/download/30/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Frankfurt's growth is driven by its importance as a financial centre and it receives immigrants from all over the world: in 2015 over half of the city's population had a [[migration background]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/frankfurt-population/|title=Frankfurt Population 2018 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)|website=worldpopulationreview.com|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152117/http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/frankfurt-population/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Vital statistics ===
Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Bevölkerung |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung |website=Statistische Ämter des Bundes Und der Länder |access-date=7 August 2018 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015609/https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Births January–March 2017 = {{increase}} 14,537
*Births January–March 2018 = {{decrease}} 14,202
*Deaths January–March 2017 = {{increasenegative}} 19,289
*Deaths January–March 2018 = {{decreasepositive}} 18,831
*Natural growth January–March 2017 = {{decrease}} −4,752
*Natural growth January–March 2018 = {{increase}} −4,629

=== Language ===

Three different languages or dialect groups are spoken in Hesse: The Far North is part of the [[Low German|Low Saxon]] language area, divided into a tiny [[Eastphalian language|Eastphalian]] and a larger [[Westphalian language|Westphalian]] dialect area. Most of Hesse belongs to the [[West Middle German]] dialect zone. There is some disagreement as to whether all Hessian dialects south of the [[Benrath line]] may be subsumed under one dialect group: Rhine Franconian, or whether most dialects should be regarded as a dialect group of its own: Hessian, whereas only South Hessian is part of Rhine Franconian. Hessian proper can be split into Lower Hessian in the north, East Hessian in the East around [[Fulda]] and Central Hessian, which covers the largest area of all dialects in Hesse. In the extreme Northeast, the [[Thuringian]] dialect zone extends into Hesse, whereas in the Southeast, the state border to [[Bavaria]] is not fully identical to the dialect border between [[East Franconian]] and East Hessian.

Since approximately World War II, a spoken variety of [[Standard German]] with dialect substrate has been superseding the traditional dialects mentioned so far. This development knows a north-to-south movement, the north being early to supplant the traditional language, whereas in the south, there is still a considerable part of the population that communicates in South Hessian. In most of the areas, however, the traditional language is close to extinction, whereas until the first half of the 20th century, almost the entire population spoke dialect in almost all situations. The Upper Class started to speak Standard German beginning in the late 19th century, so for decades, the traditional language served as a sociolect.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The prominent written language in Hesse has been Standard German since the 16th century. Before, the Low Saxon part used [[Middle Low German]], the rest of the Land [[Early Modern German]] as prominent written languages. These had supplanted [[Latin]] in the [[High Middle Ages]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Religion ===

[[File:Fulda - Stadtpfarrkirche St. Blasius.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|View of the Stadtpfarrkirche St. Blasius in [[Fulda]] ]]

In 2016 [[Christianity]] was the most widespread religion in the state (63%).<ref name="soziales.hessen.de">{{cite web|url=https://soziales.hessen.de/sites/default/files/media/hsm/religionsstudie_2017_endversion_pdf.pdf|title=Eine Umfrage zu Religiosität, religionsbezogener Toleranz und der Rolle der Religion in Hessen 2017|publisher=Hessisches Ministerium für Soziales und Integration|language=de|website=soziales.hessen.de|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502113738/https://soziales.hessen.de/sites/default/files/media/hsm/religionsstudie_2017_endversion_pdf.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, 40% of Hessians belonged to the [[Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau]] or [[Evangelical Church of Hesse Electorate-Waldeck]] (members of the [[Protestant Church in Germany]]), 25% adhered to the [[Roman Catholic Church]], while other Christians constituted some 3%; the next most common religion of the Hessian population was [[Islam]], adhered to by 7%.<ref name="Religionszugehörigkeit der Deutschen nach Bundesländern im Jahr 2011">{{Cite web|url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/201622/umfrage/religionszugehoerigkeit-der-deutschen-nach-bundeslaendern/|title=Religionszugehörigkeit nach Bundesländern in Deutschland|website=Statista|access-date=26 October 2019|archive-date=30 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530192549/https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/201622/umfrage/religionszugehoerigkeit-der-deutschen-nach-bundeslaendern/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2011 study of the region, German sociologist of religion and theologian [[:de:Michael N. Ebertz|Michael N. Ebertz]] and German television presenter and author [[:de:Meinhard Schmidt-Degenhard|Meinhard Schmidt-Degenhard]] concluded that "Six religious orientation types can be distinguished: 'Christians'—'non-Christian theists'—'Cosmotheists'—'[[Deism|Deists]], [[Pandeism|Pandeists]] and [[Polytheism|Polytheists]]'—'[[Atheism|Atheists]]'—'Others'“.<ref>[[Michael N. Ebertz]] and [[Meinhard Schmidt-Degenhard]], ''[http://www.hr-online.de/servlet/de.hr.cms.servlet.File/Was+glauben+die+Hessen%3F+Die+komplette+Studie+als+pdf?enc=d3M9aHJteXNxbCZibG9iSWQ9MTQxNDQ1NjEmaWQ9NDczOTk0MTkmZm9yY2VEb3dubG9hZD0x Was glauben die Hessen?: Horizonte religiösen Lebens]'' (2011; republished 2014), p. 82.</ref>

== Education and research ==

===Higher education===

The Hessian government has overall responsibility for the education within the state. 
Hesse has the following universities:
* [[Goethe University Frankfurt]] (43,972 students; Budget: €666,4 Mio.) 
* [[Technische Universität Darmstadt|Technical University of Darmstadt]] (25,355 students; Budget: €482,8 Mio.)
* [[University of Giessen|Justus Liebig University Giessen]] (28,480 students; Budget: €425,4 Mio.) 
* [[University of Marburg|Philipps University of Marburg]] (24,394 students; Budget: €374,3 Mio.) 
* [[University of Kassel]] (25,103 students; Budget: €291,5 Mio.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.study-in-hessen.de/front_content.php?idcat=24|title=Study in Hessen|website=www.study-in-hessen.de|language=de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=19 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419234624/http://www.study-in-hessen.de/front_content.php?idcat=24|url-status=live}}</ref> 
None of Hesse's universities are included in [[German Universities Excellence Initiative|German Excellence Universities]].
<gallery>
Goethe_University_Frankfurt_Poelzig_Building.jpeg|Goethe University Frankfurt, Campus Westend
Karo5_Eingangsgebaeude_Verwaltungsgebaeude_TU_Darmstadt.jpg|Technical University of Darmstadt, Main Entrance
2004-JLU_Gießen_Sicherlich.jpg|Justus Liebig University Giessen
MarburgLahnbergeBMFZ.jpg|Philipps University of Marburg, Biomedical Research Center
Uni Kassel Eingang Holländischer Platz.jpg|University of Kassel, Entrance Holländischer Platz
</gallery>

There are many international schools in Hesse, primarily centred in and around Frankfurt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newcomers-network.de/rhein-main/newcomers-guide/education/index.php|title=Newcomers Network – Your Guide to Expatriate Life in Germany|website=www.newcomers-network.de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152740/http://www.newcomers-network.de/rhein-main/newcomers-guide/education/index.php|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Hesse is the only state in Germany where students have to study all three stanzas of the "{{lang|de|Das [[Deutschlandlied]]|italic=no}}".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Geisler |first=Michael E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CLVaSxt-sV0C&pg=PA72 |title=National Symbols, Fractured Identities: Contesting the National Narrative |date=2005 |publisher=UPNE |isbn=978-1-58465-437-7 |language=en |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901193631/https://books.google.com/books?id=CLVaSxt-sV0C&pg=PA72#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Research===

====Physics and astronomy====
The [[GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research]] in [[Wixhausen|Darmstadt-Wixhausen]], with 1,520 employees, is a major research institute in Hesse. The [[Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research]] is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Two major European space organizations, the [[European Space Operations Center]] and the [[European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites]], are based in [[Darmstadt]].

==== Health and medicine ====
* [[International Max Planck Research School for Heart and Lung Research|Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research]], [[Bad Nauheim]]
* [[Max Planck Institute for Brain Research]], [[Frankfurt-am-Main]] 
* [[Max Planck Institute of Biophysics]], [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]
* {{ill|Max Planck Research Center for Neurogenetics|de|Max-Planck-Forschungsstelle für Neurogenetik}}, [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]
* Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, [[Frankfurt-am-Main]] 
* [[Paul Ehrlich Institute]] (vaccines), [[Langen, Hesse|Langen]]
* [[Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology]], [[Marburg]]
* {{ill|Institute of Virology (Marburg)|de|Institut für Virologie der Universität Marburg}}(research of [[Ebolavirus]] and [[Marburgvirus]]; [[Parasitology]]) with [[Biosafety level#Biosafety level 4|BSL4-Labor]], [[Marburg]]
* {{ill|Center for undiagnosed and rare diseases|de|Zentrum für unerkannte und seltene Erkrankungen}}, [[Marburg]]
* {{ill|Marburg Heavy Ion Beam Therapy Center|de|Marburger Ionenstrahl-Therapiezentrum}}, [[Marburg]]
* [[Sigmund Freud Institute]] ([[psychoanalysis]]), [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]

==== Informatics and software ====
* [[German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence]], [[Darmstadt]]
* {{ill|Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence|de|Hessisches Zentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz}} (hessian.AI), HQ in [[Darmstadt]], more locations in Hesse
* [[Athene (research center)]], [[Darmstadt]]
* [[Center for Advanced Security Research Darmstadt]], [[Darmstadt]]
* {{ill|Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology|de|Fraunhofer-Institut für Sichere Informationstechnologie}}, [[Darmstadt]]
* {{ill|Fraunhofer Institute for Graphic Data Processing|de|Fraunhofer-Institut für Graphische Datenverarbeitung}}, [[Darmstadt]]

====Others====
* {{ill|Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability|de|Fraunhofer-Institut für Betriebsfestigkeit und Systemzuverlässigkeit}}, [[Darmstadt]]
* {{ill|Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology|de|Fraunhofer-Institut für Energiewirtschaft und Energiesystemtechnik}}, HQ in [[Kassel]], other location in [[Rothwesten]] and [[Bad Hersfeld]]
* {{ill|Fraunhofer Facility for Material Cycles and Resource Strategy|de|Fraunhofer-Einrichtung für Wertstoffkreisläufe und Ressourcenstrategie}}, [[Hanau]]
* [[Max-Planck-Institut für europäische Rechtsgeschichte]], [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]
* [[Institut für Sozialforschung]] at Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]
* Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsforschung und Bildungsinformation, [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]
* Forschungsinstitut für Deutsche Sprache – Deutscher Sprachatlas – at Philipps-Universität Marburg
* [[Paul-Ehrlich-Institut]], * Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main
* [[Peace Research Institute Frankfurt]], [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]
* Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung, [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]

== Culture ==
Hesse has a rich and varied cultural history, with many important cultural and historical centres and several UNESCO world-heritage sites.

=== Architecture, art, literature and music ===
[[Darmstadt]] has a rich cultural heritage as the former seat of the [[Hesse-Homburg|Landgraves]] and [[Grand Duchy of Hesse|Grand Dukes]] of Hesse. It is known as centre of the [[Art Nouveau]] [[Jugendstil]] and modern architecture and there are also several important examples of 19th century architecture influenced by British and Russian imperial architecture due to close family ties of the Grand Duke's family to the reigning dynasties in [[London]] and [[Saint Petersburg]] in the [[Grand Duchy of Hesse|Grand Duchy period]]. Darmstadt is an important centre for music, home of the [[Darmstädter Ferienkurse]] for [[contemporary classical music]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://internationales-musikinstitut.de/en/ferienkurse/|title=Darmstädter Ferienkurse – Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt|work=Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt|access-date=13 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513002220/http://internationales-musikinstitut.de/en/ferienkurse/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Jazz Institute Darmstadt, Europe's largest public jazz archive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jazzinstitut.de/?lang=en|title=Jazzinstitut Darmstadt|website=www.jazzinstitut.de|language=en-US|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522035841/http://www.jazzinstitut.de/?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Frankfurt#Culture|Frankfurt am Main]] is a major international cultural centre. Over 2&nbsp;million people visit the city's approximately 60 exhibition centres every year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=5021811|title=Frankfurt am Main: Museums|website=www.frankfurt.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818194349/http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=5021811|archive-date=18 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Amongst its most famous art galleries are the [[Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt|Schirn Kunsthalle]], a major centre for international modern art,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.schirn.de/en/m/schirn/|title=About us|last=FRANKFURT|first=SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE|date=28 April 2016|work=SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE FRANKFURT|access-date=13 May 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525061806/http://www.schirn.de/en/m/schirn/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Städel Museum|Städel]], whose large collections include over 3000 paintings, 4000 photographs, and 100,000 drawings including works by [[Pablo Picasso|Picasso]], [[Claude Monet|Monet]], [[Rembrandt]] and [[Albrecht Dürer|Dürer]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.staedelmuseum.de/en/about-stadel-museum|title=About the Städel Museum|website=Städel Museum|language=en-GB|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152508/https://www.staedelmuseum.de/en/about-stadel-museum|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|Goethe]] was born in Frankfurt and there is a museum in his [[Goethe House|birthplace]]. Frankfurt has many music venues, including an award-winning [[Opern- und Schauspielhaus Frankfurt|opera house]], the [[Alte Oper]], and the [[Jahrhunderthalle]]. Its several theatres include the English Theatre, the largest English-speaking theatre on the European continent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=5021810&_ffmpar%5B_id_inhalt%5D=177769|title=Frankfurt am Main: English Theatre|website=www.frankfurt.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152716/http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=5021810&_ffmpar%5B_id_inhalt%5D=177769|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Kassel]] has many palaces and parks, including [[Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe]], a Baroque landscape park and UNESCO World Heritage site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://museum-kassel.de/en/museums-parks-palaces/unesco-world-heritage-site-of-bergpark-wilhelmshoehe|title=UNESCO world heritage site of bergpark wilhelmshöhe {{!}} Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel|website=museum-kassel.de|language=de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152607/http://museum-kassel.de/en/museums-parks-palaces/unesco-world-heritage-site-of-bergpark-wilhelmshoehe|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Brothers Grimm]] lived and worked in Kassel for 30 years and the recently opened Grimmwelt museum explores their lives, works and influence and features their personal copies of the [[Grimms' Fairy Tales|Children's and Household Tales]], which are on the UNESCO World Heritage "Memory of the World" Document register.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grimmwelt.de/en/news/welcome-to-the-grimm-world-kassel/|title=Welcome to the GRIMM WORLD Kassel: GRIMMWELT|website=www.grimmwelt.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223727/http://www.grimmwelt.de/en/news/welcome-to-the-grimm-world-kassel/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Fridericianum]], built in 1779, is one of the oldest public museums in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kassel.de/kultur/sehenswuerdigkeiten/Innenstadt/11674/index.html|title=Stadtportal – Fridericianum|last=Kassel|first=Stadt|website=www.kassel.de|language=de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152106/http://www.kassel.de/kultur/sehenswuerdigkeiten/Innenstadt/11674/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kassel is also home to the ''[[documenta]]'', a large modern art exhibition that has taken place every five years since the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.documenta.de/|title=documenta|website=www.documenta.de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509194026/http://www3.documenta.de/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Hessian Ministry of the Arts supports numerous independent cultural initiatives, organisations, and associations as well as artists from many fields including music, literature, theatre and dance, cinema and the new media, graphic art, and exhibitions. International cultural projects aim to further relations with European partners.<ref>State of Hesse Website – Art and Culture [https://wissenschaft.hessen.de//ueber-uns/welcome-our-website/art-and-culture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704164722/https://wissenschaft.hessen.de/ueber-uns/welcome-our-website/art-and-culture|date=4 July 2017}} Retrieved 21 July 2015</ref>

From an archaeological point of view, the old watercourses of Hesse provide evidence of the wider history of the landscape and their protection has required cooperation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Becker|first1=Thomas|title=Experiences Between Nature Conservation and Archaeology in the Old Water System of Southern Hesse|journal=Internet Archaeology|date=2023|issue=62|doi=10.11141/ia.62.11|doi-access=free|url=https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue62/11/index.html|access-date=24 February 2024|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224155747/https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue62/11/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== UNESCO World Heritage Sites ===
Hesse has several UNESCO World Heritage sites.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites|title=UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hessen|website = Hessen Tourismus|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223830/http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> These include:

* [[Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe]] in Kassel<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/wilhelmshoehe-palace-and-park|title=Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe|website =Hessen Tourismus|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514141359/http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/wilhelmshoehe-palace-and-park|archive-date=14 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kellerwald-Edersee National Park]] in North Hesse<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/germany-s-ancient-beech-forests|title=Germany's Ancient Beech Forests {{!}} Hessen Tourismus|website=www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223821/http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/germany-s-ancient-beech-forests|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Lorsch Abbey]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/lorsch-benedictine-abbey-and-altenmuenster|title=Lorsch – Benedictine Abbey and Altenmünster {{!}} Hessen Tourismus|website=www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223824/http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/lorsch-benedictine-abbey-and-altenmuenster|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The [[Messel pit|Messel Fossil Pit]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/messel-pit-fossil-site|title=Messel Pit Fossil Site {{!}} Hessen Tourismus|website=www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514141355/http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/messel-pit-fossil-site|archive-date=14 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Exhibits from the Messel Pit can be seen in Messel town museum,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grube-messel.de/|title=Home|website=www.grube-messel.de|language=de-de|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=11 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511225845/https://grube-messel.de/|url-status=live}}</ref> the Museum of Hessen in Darmstadt,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hlmd.de/en/museum/natural-history/history-of-the-earth/messel-pit.html|title=Messel Pit – Hessisches Landesmuseum|website=www.hlmd.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514064620/http://www.hlmd.de/en/museum/natural-history/history-of-the-earth/messel-pit.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Naturmuseum Senckenberg|Senckenberg Museum]] in Frankfurt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=14925|title=SENCKENBERG world of biodiversity {{!}} Museums {{!}} Museum Frankfurt {{!}} The Museum {{!}} Exhibitions {{!}} World natural heritage "..|website=www.senckenberg.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924225030/http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=14925|archive-date=24 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The [[Saalburg]], part of the [[Roman limes|Roman Limes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/roman-limes|title=Roman Limes {{!}} Hessen Tourismus|website=www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de|language=en|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223827/http://www.languages.hessen-tourismus.de/culture-indulgence-in-hessen/unesco-world-heritage-sites/roman-limes|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Darmstadt Artists' Colony]]<ref name="Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission 2021">{{cite web | title=Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt von UNESCO ausgezeichnet | website=Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission | date=24 July 2021 | url=https://www.unesco.de/kultur-und-natur/welterbe/mathildenhoehe-darmstadt-von-unesco-ausgezeichnet | language=de | access-date=29 July 2021 | archive-date=26 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726094732/https://www.unesco.de/kultur-und-natur/welterbe/mathildenhoehe-darmstadt-von-unesco-ausgezeichnet | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sports ===
[[File:Match Frankfurt - Marseille in November 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Waldstadion (Frankfurt)|Deutsche Bank Park]] (football stadium) in [[Frankfurt]]]]
[[File:Eishockey Darmstadt-dukes rt-bad-nauheim.jpg|thumb|Hockey match Darmstadt Dukes VS RT Bad Nauheim]]
Frankfurt hosts the following professional sports teams or clubs:

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Eintracht Frankfurt (women)|1. FFC Frankfurt]] (1998–2020), [[Association football|football]] (women)
* [[Eintracht Frankfurt]], [[Association football|football]] (men, women)
* [[FSV Frankfurt]], [[Association football|football]] (men)
* [[Rot-Weiss Frankfurt]], [[Association football|football]]
* [[Frankfurter FC Germania 1894]], [[Association football|football]]
* [[Skyliners Frankfurt]], [[basketball]]
* [[Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe)|Frankfurt Galaxy]] (1991–2007), [[NFL Europe|American football]]
* [[Frankfurt Universe]] (2007–present), [[German Football League|American football]]
* [[Frankfurter Löwen]] (1979–1984), [[German Football League|American football]]
* [[Frankfurt Sarsfields GAA]], [[Gaelic football]]
* [[Frankfurt Lions]] (until 2010), [[ice hockey]]
* [[Löwen Frankfurt]] (since 2010), [[ice hockey]]
* [[SC 1880 Frankfurt]], [[rugby union]]
{{div col end}}

Frankfurt is host to the [[Classic cycle races|classic cycle]] race [[Eschborn-Frankfurt City Loop]] (known as ''Rund um den Henninger-Turm'' from 1961 to 2008). The city hosts also the annual [[Frankfurt Marathon]] and the [[Ironman Germany]].

Outside Frankfurt, notable professional sports teams include [[Kickers Offenbach]], [[SV Darmstadt 98]], [[Marburg Mercenaries]], [[Gießen 46ers]], [[MT Melsungen]], [[VfB Friedberg]], and the [[Kassel Huskies]].

=== TV and radio stations ===
The Hessian state broadcasting corporation is called HR ([[Hessischer Rundfunk]]). HR is a member of the federal [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]] broadcasting association. HR provides a statewide TV channel as well as a range of regional radio stations (HR&nbsp;1, HR&nbsp;2, HR&nbsp;3, HR&nbsp;4, you&nbsp;fm and HR&nbsp;info). Besides the state run HR, privately run TV stations exist and are an important line of commerce. Among the commercial radio stations that are active in Hesse, Hit Radio FFH, Planet Radio, Harmony FM, Radio BOB and Antenne Frankfurt are the most popular.

== Economy ==

=== Financial ===
With Hesse's largest city [[Frankfurt am Main]] being home of the [[European Central Bank]] (ECB), the [[Bundesbank|German Bundesbank]] and the [[Frankfurt Stock Exchange]], Hesse is home to the financial capital of mainland Europe. Furthermore, Hesse has always been one of the largest and healthiest economies in Germany. Its [[GDP]] in 2013 exceeded €236&nbsp;billion (about US$316&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistik-hessen.de/themenauswahl/gesamtwirtschaft-konjunktur/landesdaten/bip-wirtschaftsbereichen/grundzahlen-bruttoinlandsprodukt-bruttowertschoepfung/index.html|title=Bruttoinlandsprodukt|publisher=Hessisches Statistisches Landesamt|year=2012|work=Volkswirtschaftliche Gesamtrechnungen|access-date=27 March 2013|language=de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914010546/http://www.statistik-hessen.de/themenauswahl/gesamtwirtschaft-konjunktur/landesdaten/bip-wirtschaftsbereichen/grundzahlen-bruttoinlandsprodukt-bruttowertschoepfung/index.html|archive-date=14 September 2012}}</ref> This makes Hesse itself one of the largest economies in Europe and the 38th largest in the world.<ref>See the [[list of countries by GDP (nominal)]].</ref> According to GDP-per-capita figures, Hesse is the wealthiest state (after the [[city-state]]s [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen]]) in Germany with approx. US$52,500.

Frankfurt is crucial as a [[financial center]], with both the [[European Central Bank]] and the [[Deutsche Bundesbank]]'s headquarters located there. Numerous smaller banks and [[Deutsche Bank]], [[DZ Bank]], [[KfW|KfW Bank]], [[Commerzbank]] are also headquartered in Frankfurt, with the offices of several international banks also being housed there. Frankfurt is also the location of the most important German stock exchange, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. [[Insurance]] companies have settled mostly in [[Wiesbaden]]. The city's largest private employer is the [[R+V Versicherung]], with about 3,900 employees, other major employers are [[Winterthur Group|DBV-Winterthur]], the [[SV SparkassenVersicherung]] and the [[Delta Lloyd Group]].

<gallery>
ECB_Frankfurt_at_Sunset.jpg|[[European Central Bank]]
Deutsche_Bank_Taunusanlage.jpg| [[Deutsche Bank]]
Frankfurt_Commerzbank_vom_Schaumainkai.jpg| [[Commerzbank]]
</gallery>

=== Chemical and pharma ===
The [[Frankfurt Rhine-Main|Rhine-Main Region]] has the second largest industrial density in Germany after the [[Ruhr area]]. The main economic fields of importance are the [[chemical]] and [[pharmaceutical]] industries with [[Sanofi]], [[Merck Group|Merck]], [[Heraeus]], [[Stada Arzneimittel|Stada]], [[Messer Griesheim]], [[Bayer#Bayer CropScience|Bayer Crop Science]], [[SGL Carbon]], [[Celanese]], [[Cabot Corporation|Cabot]], [[Clariant]], [[Akzo Nobel]], [[Kuraray]], [[Ineos]], [[LyondellBasell]], {{ill|Allessa|de|Allessa (Unternehmen)}} and [[Evonik Industries]]. But also other consumer goods are produced by [[Procter & Gamble]], [[Coty Inc.|Coty]] and [[Colgate Palmolive]]. The Rhine-Main Region is not restricted only to Hesse, smaller part is in [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]. There situated 2 important pharma companies: [[BioNTech]](HQ), which found the first mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 in the world (licensed to [[Pfizer]]), and [[Boehringer Ingelheim]], close to Hesse's border in [[Mainz]] and [[Ingelheim]] respectively. It supports from [[International Max Planck Research School for Heart and Lung Research|Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research]], [[Max Planck Institute for Brain Research]] and [[Paul Ehrlich Institute]].

Also in other part of Hesse there is important pharma and medical manufacturers, especially in [[Marburg]] where there is industry park based on ex-Behring Werke: [[BioNTech]] (mRNA vaccines), [[CSL Behring]], [[Temmler]] and [[Melsungen]] with [[B. Braun]]. Pharma activity in [[Marburg]] is also supported from research facilities: [[Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology]], {{ill|Center for undiagnosed and rare diseases|de|Zentrum für unerkannte und seltene Erkrankungen}}, {{ill|Institute of Virology (Marburg)|de|Institut für Virologie der Universität Marburg}}(research of [[Ebolavirus]] and [[Marburgvirus]]; [[Parasitology]]) with [[Biosafety level#Biosafety level 4|BSL4-Labor]], {{ill|Marburg Heavy Ion Beam Therapy Center|de|Marburger Ionenstrahl-Therapiezentrum}}.

[[Merck Group|Merck]] controls ca. 60% of world's [[liquid crystal]] market.

[[Heraeus]], [[Umicore]] and [[Evonik Industries]] manufacture different type of catalysts from [[Platinum metals]], [[Vanadium]], [[Neodymium]], [[Manganese]], [[Copper]] etc.

In east [[Fulda]] there is the tire plant ([[Dunlop Tyres|Fulda Reifen]]). 2 other tire plants are in [[Korbach]] from [[Continental AG|Continental]] and [[Hanau]] from [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]].

<gallery>
Sanofi_Frankfurt_IPH.jpg| [[Sanofi]] in Industrial Park "[[Höchst (Frankfurt am Main)|Höchst]]"
Merck_KGaA_Pyramide_Gruener_Turm.jpg| [[Merck Group|Merck]] in [[Darmstadt]]
Marburg,_Marbach_Behringwerk.jpg| Industrial Park "Behringwerke"
</gallery>

=== Metallurgy and nuclear ===
Specialised metallurgical industry focused on [[Platinum group|platinum metals]] has been represented by [[Heraeus]] and [[Umicore]] and magnetic materials have been a focus of [[Vacuumschmelze]] based in [[Hanau]]. Also in [[Hanau]] there used to be a plant producing nuclear fuel (classical uranium, but also [[MOX fuel]]), but the production has stopped and the facility has been mothballed. [[Heraeus]] continues to manufacture irradiation sources from [[Cobalt]] and [[Iridium]].

=== Engineering ===
In the mechanical and automotive engineering field [[Opel]] in Rüsselsheim is worth mentioning. After acquisition Opel by [[Stellantis]], it is in rapid decline of production and employment. Which has also negative effect on automotive parts supplier, [[Continental AG|Continental]] will close a plant in [[Karben]] and cut jobs at other location in Hesse. In northern Hesse, in [[Baunatal]], [[Volkswagen AG]] has a large factory that manufactures spare parts, not far-away from it there is also a [[Daimler Truck]] plant, which produces an axes.

[[Alstom]], after takeover of [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]], has a large plant that manufactures [[Alstom Traxx|Traxx]] [[locomotive]]s in [[Kassel]]. Industrial printers ([[Manroland]], [[Gallus Holding]]), x-ray airport check equipment ([[Smiths Group#Smiths Detection|Smiths]]), handling and loading equipment ([[Dematic]]), chemical equipment ([[Air Liquide#Subsidiaries|Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions]]), vacuum pumps ([[Pfeiffer Vacuum]]), vacuum industrial furnace (ALD Vacuum Technologies), textile machines (Karl Mayer), shavers ([[Braun (company)|Braun]]), medical ([[Fresenius SE|Fresenius]], [[Sirona Dental Systems|Sirona]]) and industrial (Schenck Process, [[Samson AG|Samson]]) apparatuses are produced in Rhine-Main Region.

Manufacturing of [[Furnace (central heating)|heating boilers]] and [[heat pump]]s are typical for Hesse and represented with [[Bosch Thermotechnik]] and [[Viessmann]].

Vistec produces [[electron-beam lithography]] systems for semiconductor industry in [[Weilburg]], also there is manufacturing of inspection, testing and measurement equipment for semiconductor fabrication process from [[KLA Corporation|KLA-Tencor]].
[[Leica Microsystems]] manufactures different types of microscopes, inclusive they with special light microscopic optics, which are used in wafer and photo mask testing. PVA TePla from [[Wettenberg]] is specialist for crystal growing process (Si, Ge, GaAs, GaP, InP) with [[Czochralski method|Czochralski Process]], [[Zone melting|Float-Zone Process]], [[Chemical Vapor Deposition|High-Temperature Chemical Vapor Deposition]], Vertical Gradient Freeze equipment, quality inspection apparatus, plasma and vacuum machine. [[ABB]] Robotics is in [[Friedberg, Hesse|Friedberg]]. Satisloh is a machine manufacturer in [[Wetzlar]] for the production of lenses and components for the optical industry.

=== Aerospace ===
The company operating [[Frankfurt Airport]] is one of the largest employers in Hesse with nearly 22,000 employees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fraport.com/en/misc/binaer/fraport-group/investors/events-and-publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2017/_jcr_content.file/gb_2017_en_web.pdf|title=Annual Report 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401203336/https://www.fraport.com/en/misc/binaer/fraport-group/investors/events-and-publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2017/_jcr_content.file/gb_2017_en_web.pdf|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aerospace cluster contains also [[Rolls-Royce Holdings|Rolls-Royce]]'s aviation engine work in [[Oberursel (Taunus)|Oberursel]] and [[Auxiliary power unit|APU]] manufacturing plant and service center of [[Honeywell]] in [[Raunheim]].

=== Optics and electronics ===
Companies with an international reputation are located outside the Rhine-Main region in [[Wetzlar]]. There is the center of the optical, electrical and precision engineering industries, [[Esselte Leitz GmbH & Co KG|Leitz]], [[Leica Camera|Leica]], [[Minox]], Hensoldt ([[Carl Zeiss AG|Zeiss]]) and [[Brita (company)|Brita]] with several plants in central Hesse.

Oculus Optikgeräte manufactures [[Scheimpflug principle|Scheimpflug]] tomographs for examining the anterior segment of the eye, topographers for measuring the anterior surface of the cornea, tonometers for assessing the biomechanical properties of the cornea, a wide-angle observation system for vitreous body surgery, universal trial goggles for subjective refraction, various perimeters for visual field testing and vision testing devices for testing eyesight.

Electrical transformers are produced by Hitachi ABB Power Grids in [[Hanau]] and [[Siemens Energy AG|Siemens Energy]] in [[Frankfurt-am-Main]]. [[SMA Solar Technology]] manufactures an inverters for photovoltaic systems. [[Rittal]] is specialized on [[electrical enclosure]] situated in [[Herborn, Hesse|Herborn]] and [[Eschenburg]]. Power semiconductors from [[IXYS Corporation|IXYS]] in [[Lampertheim]] and UV and infrared lamps from [[Heraeus]].

=== IT and telecom ===

Many IT and telecommunications companies are located in Hesse, many of them in Frankfurt and Darmstadt, like [[Software AG]] (Darmstadt), [[T-Systems]] (Frankfurt and Darmstadt), [[Deutsche Telekom]] (laboratories in Darmstadt), [[DB Systel]] (Frankfurt), [[Lufthansa Systems]] (Raunheim near Frankfurt) and [[DE-CIX]] (Frankfurt).

=== Food and beverage ===

Sweet making is typical, there are 2 big factories: [[Ferrero SpA|Ferrero]], [[Stadtallendorf]] and Baronie (Sarotti), [[Hattersheim am Main]]. [[Frankfurter Würstchen|Frankfurter Sausage]] is famous, but there is also other sorts like [[Frankfurter Rindswurst]], [[Ahle Wurst]].

Beverage industry is well-developed and manufactures sparkling wine ([[Sparkling wine#Sekt|Sekt]]), white wine ([[Riesling]]), mineral waters ([[Selters]]), beers ([[Radeberger Group|Radeberger]]) and [[Apfelwein|cider]].

<gallery>
Gruene-Sauce-Denkmal.jpg|Green Sauce Monument
</gallery>
In [[Oberrad|Frankfurt-Oberrad]] exists growing of wild herbs for [[Green sauce#Germany|green sauce]] and monument.

=== Defunct industries ===
The leather industry was predominantly based in [[Offenbach am Main|Offenbach]], but is now extinct, existing only in museums. The same happened with Frankfurt's fur industry and Hanau's jewelry industry.

=== Typical Hesse's products ===

<gallery>
Opel Insignia B FL IMG 4300.jpg| [[Opel Insignia]]
Braun_Shaver_-_Austin_Calhoon_Photograph.jpg| Braun Shaver
Leica_Q2_(L1000042).jpg| Leica Q2
Bombardier_TRAXX_187_002-1,_100_years_of_the_Lötschberg,_Lalden.jpg| Locomotive [[Alstom Traxx|TRAXX]]
Hochleistungs-Kettenwirkautomat.jpg| Warp knitting machine (Karl Mayer)
DNEX-Tryckeriet,_interiör,_2017a.jpg|Printing machine (MAN Roland Colorman)
Apfelwein_Geripptes_Bembel.jpg| [[Apfelwein|Apfelwein (Cider)]]
Riesling_Kabinett_1975_in_glass.jpg|[[Riesling]] wine
</gallery>

=== Unemployment ===
The [[Hochtaunuskreis]] has the lowest unemployment rate at 3.8% while the independent city of Kassel has the highest rate nationally at 12.1%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eures/main.jsp?countryId=DE&acro=lmi&showRegion=true&lang=en&mode=text&regionId=DE0&nuts2Code=%20&nuts3Code=null&catId=366|title=EURES – Labour market information – Hessen – European Commission|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203045143/https://ec.europa.eu/eures/main.jsp?countryId=DE&acro=lmi&showRegion=true&lang=en&mode=text&regionId=DE0&nuts2Code=%20&nuts3Code=null&catId=366|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2018 the unemployment rate stood at 4.4% and was lower than the national average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/36651/umfrage/arbeitslosenquote-in-deutschland-nach-bundeslaendern/|title=Arbeitslosenquote nach Bundesländern in Deutschland 2018 {{!}} Statista|website=Statista|language=de|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627171657/https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/36651/umfrage/arbeitslosenquote-in-deutschland-nach-bundeslaendern/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www-genesis.destatis.de/genesis/online/data;sid=B1C50643A60FE295E866C5D1DE88989D.GO_2_2?operation=previous&levelindex=3&levelid=1542121134059&levelid=1542121130976&step=2|title=Federal Statistical Office Germany – GENESIS-Online|last=(Destatis)|first=© Statistisches Bundesamt|date=13 November 2018|website=www-genesis.destatis.de|language=en|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308110120/https://www-genesis.destatis.de/genesis/online/data;sid=B1C50643A60FE295E866C5D1DE88989D.GO_2_2?operation=previous&levelindex=3&levelid=1542121134059&levelid=1542121130976&step=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
!2000
!2001
!2002
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
!2007
!2008
!2009
!2010
!2011
!2012
!2013
!2014
!2015
!2016
!2017
!2018
!2019
!2020
!2021
|-
|Unemployment rate in %
|7.3
|6.6
|7.0
|7.9
|8.2
|9.7
|9.2
|7.5
|6.5
|6.8
|6.4
|5.9
|5.7
|5.8
|5.7
|5.5
|5.3
|5.0
|4.6
|3.1
|4.1
|3.8
|}

== Traffic and public transportation ==
=== Road transport ===
Hesse has a dense highway network with a total of 24 motorways. The internationally important motorway routes through Hesse are the A3, A5, and A7. Close to Frankfurt Airport is the [[Frankfurter Kreuz]], Germany's busiest and one of Europe's busiest motorway junctions, where the motorways [[Bundesautobahn 3|A3]] (Arnhem-Cologne-Frankfurt-Nuremberg-Passau) and [[Bundesautobahn 5|A5]] (Hattenbach-Frankfurt-Karlsruhe-Basel) intersect. The A5 becomes as wide as four lanes in each direction near the city of Frankfurt am Main, and during the rush-hour, it is possible to use the emergency lanes on the A3 and A5 motorway in the [[Frankfurt/Rhine-Main|Rhine-Main Region]], adding additional lanes. Other major leading Hesse highways are the [[Bundesautobahn 4|A4]], the [[Bundesautobahn 44|A44]], the [[Bundesautobahn 45|A45]], the Federal Highway [[Bundesautobahn 66|A66]] and the [[Bundesautobahn 67|A67]]. There are also a number of smaller motorways and major trunk roads, some of which are [[dual carriageway]]s.

=== Railway transport ===
Hesse is accessed by many major rail lines, including the high-speed lines [[Köln–Frankfurt high-speed rail line|Cologne–Frankfurt]](op.speed 300&nbsp;km/h) and [[Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railway|Hanover–Würzburg]]. Other north-south connections traverse major east–west routes from Wiesbaden and Mainz to Frankfurt and from Hanau and Aschaffenburg to Fulda and Kassel. The Frankfurt Central Station is the most important hub for German trains, with over 1,100 trains per day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=2817|title=Bahn|website=Frankfurt am Main|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905175904/https://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=2817|archive-date=5 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Westbahnhof Hochbahnsteig.jpg|thumb|[[S-Bahn Rhein-Main]]: [[DBAG Class 423|Class 423]] approaching [[Frankfurt West station]]]]
The region around Frankfurt has an extensive [[S-Bahn]] network, the [[S-Bahn Rhein-Main]], which is complemented by many regional train connections. In the rest of the country, the rail network is less extensive. Since 2007, the region around Kassel has been served by the [[RegioTram Kassel|RegioTram]], a [[tram-train]]-concept similar to the [[Karlsruhe model]].

=== Air transport ===
[[Frankfurt Airport]] is by far the largest airport in Germany with more than 57&nbsp;million passengers each year, is and among the world's ten largest. [[Frankfurt Egelsbach Airport]] lies to the south, and is frequented by [[general aviation]] and private planes. [[Kassel Airport]] offers a few flights to holiday destinations, but has struggled to compete. There are also a number of sports airfields. [[Low-cost airline]]s, especially [[Ryanair]], use [[Frankfurt-Hahn Airport]] as a major base, although the airport is actually located about 100&nbsp;km from Frankfurt in the neighbouring state of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]]. The DFS ([[Deutsche Flugsicherung|German air traffic control]]) has its headquarters in [[Langen, Hesse|Langen]]. A [[Boeing 747]] owned by [[Lufthansa]] was named after Hesse, on 20 November 1974, the aircraft [[Lufthansa Flight 540|crashed]] in [[Kenya]] killing 59 of the 157 passengers and crew on board.

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* Ingrao, Charles W. The ''Hessian mercenary state: ideas, institutions, and reform under Frederick II, 1760–1785'' (Cambridge University Press, 2003).
* Ingrao, Charles. "" Barbarous Strangers": Hessian State and Society during the American Revolution." ''[[The American Historical Review|American Historical Review]]'' 87.4 (1982): 954–976. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1857901 online]
* Wegert, Karl H. "Contention with Civility: The State and Social Control in the German Southwest, 1760–1850." ''[[The Historical Journal|Historical Journal]]'' 34.2 (1991): 349–369. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/2639502 online]
* Wilder, Colin F. "" The rigor of the law of exchange": How People Changed Commercial Law and Commercial Law Changed People (Hesse-Cassel, 1654–1776)." ''Zeitschrift für Historische Forschung'' (2015): 629–659. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/24899723 online]
* {{cite book|last=Clay|first=John-Henry|title=In the Shadow of Death: Saint Boniface and the Conversion of Hessia, 721-54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c5KnSgAACAAJ|year=2010|publisher=Brepols|isbn=978-2-503-53161-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Rau|first=Reinhold|title=Briefe des Bonifatius, Willibalds Leben des Bonifatius; Nebst Einigen Zeitgenössischen Dokumenten|series=Ausgewählte Quellen zur Deutschen Geschichte des Mittelalters|volume=IVb|year=1968|publisher=Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft|location=Darmstadt|language=de}}

== External links ==
{{wiktionary|Hessen}}
{{commons}}
* [http://cbsopac.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/LNG=DU/DB=2.4/ Hessian Bibliography]
{{wikivoyage}}
* [https://hessen.de/ Official government portal]
* {{Cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07298c.htm|title=Hesse|encyclopedia=[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]}}
* {{Osmrelation-inline|62650}}

{{States of the Federal Republic of Germany}}
{{Germany districts Hesse}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hesse| ]]
[[Category:NUTS 1 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:States of Germany]]