Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a large, mostly rural, state in the north of the former East Germany. It is about the size of Hesse, but a population of only 1.8 million gives it by far the lowest population density of any German state. It has large unspoiled natural areas with 20% of the state occupied by forests.

The Baltic harbors were traditionally of economic and cultural importance and are the focus of this chapter. These cities mostly reached their zenith during the late Middle Ages as part of the Hanseatic League. A typical architectural feature, constantly repeated in each of these cities, is the use of brick as primary construction material. The monumental brick Gothic churches and occasional secular buildings are a true highlight of any visit to this region.

The state is a watersports haven. In addition to the 340-km (200-mile) Baltic coast, it has 1,800 lakes, many rivers and is particularly popular with domestic tourists, especially young families. The seaside resorts have mostly white, soft sand beaches and generally calm, shallow seas. Rugen island, Germany's largest, claims the highest number of annual sunshine hours in Germany. However, the swimming season is short and even in the middle of summer the water will not be confused with the tropics or Mediterranean.

Most domestic tourists spend a week or more at a beach resort, usually in vacation homes, and visit the large towns on daytrips. However, as it is unlikely that the average international visitor will select the German Baltic coast for a beach vacation, this chapter is arranged according to the larger towns rather than the coastal resorts. The chapter starts with Stralsund in the northeast and moves westward along the coast to Rostock, the largest city in the state, then Wismar, before turning slightly inland to Schwerin, the state capital.

* History

Human settlements in Mecklenburg and Vorpommern date back to the Stone Age. However, written history starts in the 10th century, when the area was mostly populated by Slavic people. Saxon traders had successful commercial dealings deep into the territory, but missionaries had little initial success. During the 11th century, Emperor Friedrich I Barbarossa decided to Christianize the area and a campaign led by Saxon Duke Heinrich I der Lowe (the Lion) conquered most of the area. Schwerin was founded in 1160 as the first German town east of the Elbe.

Due to the German custom of dividing territory among male sons, the area in subsequent centuries was repeatedly split and rejoined. Several cities became Free Imperial Cities and the foremost at the time formed the Hanseatic League in 1281. Although the League is most famous for monopolizing trade, it also fought some wars and in 1367 forced the Danish Kingdom out of the Eastern Baltic region.