Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt) is a federal state in central Germany that played a pivotal role in German and European history. Its capital is Magdeburg, and it forms part of the economic region of Central Germany (Mitteldeutschland) together with Saxony and Thuringia. The state is famous as the birthplace of Protestantism, where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517, sparking the Reformation. Saxony-Anhalt boasts four UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Bauhaus buildings in Dessau and the Luther memorials. The landscape is characterized by picturesque river scenery along the Elbe River, the Harz Mountains in the southwest, and fertile agricultural plains. Economically, the state has attracted significant foreign investment since German reunification, with chemical industries concentrated around Leuna and Bitterfeld, and mechanical engineering in Magdeburg. The people of Saxony-Anhalt are known as early risers, getting up on average at 6:39 am, nine minutes earlier than the average German. Notable figures from the state include Jawed Karim, one of the three creators of YouTube, who was born in Merseburg.