Thuringia

THURINGIA (Land Thuringen), former German Free State, now a component state of the German Reich; consists of the former Thuringian States of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Saxe-Mein ingen, Reuss, Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Gotha (Coburg having been merged with Bavaria), Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, and Schwarz burg-Sondershausen, which decided in 1919 to combine into one State. They maintained their identity as administrative districts until April I, 1923, but were then completely merged into Thur ingia. The country falls into two main divisions: the southern division is bounded on the north and west by Prussia, on the east by Saxony and on the south by Bavaria, while the smaller north ern division is surrounded by Prussia. Its total area is 4,540.5 sq.m.

A considerable part of the country is occupied by the pictur esque, rounded hills of the Thuringian forest. Among the chief elevations are the Beerberg (3,225 ft.), the Schneekopf (3,179 ft.) and the Inselberg (2,957 ft.), on the northern slopes of the Thur ingian forest. The Altenburg district in East Thuringia is tra versed by the westerly offshoots of the Erzgebirge, while the Rhon mountains extend into West Thuringia. The south-eastern portion of Thuringia belongs to the bleak, mountainous region of the Frankenwald and the Vogtland. The principal river is the Saale, which runs in a north-westerly direction as far as Saalfeld, and then flows north-east by Rudolstadt and Jena. Among the other rivers are the Werra, Ilm, Gera, Unstrut, Elster, Weisse, Wipper, Helbe and Pleisse. The district watered by the Pleisse contains some of the richest agricultural soil in Germany.

Of the total area of Thuringia, about 44% is occupied by arable land, 33% by forest, and 1 0% by pasture land. The chief mineral resources of Thuringia are lignite (found mainly in the Altenburg district), and potash in the valley of the Werra and in the Sondershausen district. Iron ore, marble, cobalt, copper, slates, chalk and basalt are also f ound; and there are salt works at Salzungen and Neusalza, and brine springs at Heinrichshall and elsewhere. Among the principal industrial products of Thuringia

are textiles, glass and porcelain, iron goods and machinery, paper and leather goods, musical instruments, beer, chemicals, wooden toys, etc. The manufacture of toys and textile goods is largely carried on under the domestic system. The optical instruments of Jena and the scientific instruments of Ilmenau are well known.

In 1933 Thuringia had 1,659,510 inhabitants, or 365 to the sq.m. The population is mainly Teutonic, but there is a Wendish or Slavonic element. The population is 90% Protestant. The University of Jena is the chief centre for higher education.

The constitution dated March 11, 1921, provided for a Landtag consisting of 72 members. For administrative purposes the country is divided into ro town and 15 country districts (Kreise), and one sub-district (Kreisabteilung). The capital is Weimar, but Gera and Jena are larger towns and Gotha, Eisenach, Altenburg and Greiz are also noteworthy.

History.

In the 5th century the Thuringians lived be tween the Harz mountains and the Thuringian Forest. They were tributary to Attila the Hun, under whom they served at the battle of Chalons in 451. In the 6th century they were conquered by the Franks and remained under the direct rule of the Frankish kings until 634, when King Dagobert I. appointed Radulf duke of the Thuringians, under whom they became virtu ally independent. They were again brought under Frankish rule by Charles Martel, who abolished the office of duke and divided the country among Frankish counts. About 804 Charlemagne, in order to defend the line of the Saale against the Slays, founded the Thuringian mark. In 849 King Louis the German recog nized Tlakulf as duke and some of his successors bore the title of margrave until the death of Burkhard in 908, when the country was seized by Otto the Illustrious, duke of Saxony. Thuringia was retained by Otto's son and successor, Henry I. the Fowler.