Hannover (city)

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Industrial city and capital of Lower Saxony, Germany, on the rivers Leine and Ihme; population (2003 est) 516,300, urban agglomeration 1,104,200. Industries include mechanical engineering, telecommunications, and the manufacture of iron and steel, electrical goods, rubber, motor vehicles, and textiles. From 1386 it was a member of the Hanseatic League, and from 1692 capital of the electorate of Hannover (created a kingdom in 1815). George I of Great Britain and Ireland was also Elector of Hannover.

Germany and Britain shared the same monarch until the accession of Victoria in 1837. Since Salic law meant a woman could not rule in Hannover, the throne passed to her uncle Ernest, Duke of Cumberland. His son was forced by the Prussian prime minister Bismarck to abdicate in 1866, and Hannover became a Prussian province. In 1946 Hannover was merged with Brunswick and Oldenburg to form the Land of Lower Saxony.

Yellow stands for mineral wealth. Green represents the country's vegetation and natural resources. Red recalls the blood spilt during the liberation struggle. Effective date: 18 April 1980. >>