Organisation
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Endless lakes dotted across the countryside and long stretches of coastline, wild, romantic forests and broad, open fields: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers a great deal of space to relax, leave your cares behind and let your thoughts take flight. For although this is the sixth largest federal state, population figures are low (the third lowest in Germany); as a result, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has the most land per inhabitant of any of the German federal states.
Schwerin Castle
From the 12th century until 1918, one single dynasty ruled the roost in the erstwhile “land of castles and cottages”. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as we know it today only came into existence in 1945 when the state of Mecklenburg was merged with areas that previously formed part of the Prussian province of Pomerania. After having been divided into three provinces - Rostock, Schwerin and Neubrandenburg - during the GDR era, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was re-established in 1990.
Nature and culture aplenty
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has the longest coastline of all the German federal states, a full 2,000 km. Well-loved Baltic Sea resorts are strung out along its shores like a string of pearls, running from the Bay of Lübeck to the island of Usedom.
Mecklenburg Lake District
The Mecklenburg Lake District is one of the largest unbroken stretches of unspoilt countryside in Germany: around 650 lakes and countless rivers make this area a paradise for birds. More than 2,000 lakes right across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mean it enjoys more open stretches of water than any other federal state. It also boasts the highest number of natural areas with special conservation status, thanks to the Jasmund, Western Pomerania Lagoon Area and Müritz National Parks.
Historical castles, stately homes and mansions bear witness to feudal history. Four state theatres, a plethora of city-run theatres, museums and music festivals offer a broad spectrum of cultural events. The “Music Festival of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” is one fine example, presenting classical music in mansions, palaces and parks. The annual Störtebeker Festival in Ralswiek on the island of Rügen notches up the highest visitor numbers of any open-air drama festival in Germany.
A future rooted in tradition
Farming is the key influence inland, with broad expanses of arable and pastureland.
Chalk cliffs on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen
Life along the coast has traditionally been coloured by shipbuilding (Rostock, Stralsund, Wismar, Wolgast), maritime trade, fishing and tourism. Looking to the future, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is concentrating on networks incorporating tourism, centres for spa and medicinal treatments plus farming and food production, as well as growth sectors like information and communication technology, the maritime economy, wind energy and the aerospace industry.
Education and research are closely intermeshed with the world of business in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's two universities, numerous technical colleges and eminent research centres. Greifswald’s Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University (founded 1456) and Rostock University (founded 1419) number among the world’s oldest universities and have been enjoying strong growth in student numbers.
| State capital | Schwerin |
| Surface area | 23,189 km2 | |
| Population | 1.63 million | |
| Number of votes in the Bundesrat | 3 | |
| Governing party | SPD / CDU | |
| Minister President | Erwin Sellering |
