Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany. The former English name was Sleswick-Holsatia, the Danish name is Slesvig-Holsten, the Low German name is Sleswig-Holsteen, and the North Frisian name is Slaswik-Holstiinj.

It has a population of 2.8 million and its capital is Kiel. Other notable cities are Lübeck, Flensburg and Neumünster.

Schleswig-Holstein borders Denmark (Region Syddanmark) to the north, the North Sea to the west, the Baltic Sea to the east, and the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the south.

Historically, the name can also refer to a larger region, containing both present-day Schleswig-Holstein and the former South Jutland County (Northern Schleswig) in Denmark. It comprises most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig.

Languages

The official language is German based on the standard dialect used by the Federal German government in Berlin.

Low German, Danish and North Frisian enjoy legal protection or state promotion.

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