Baden-Württemberg (/ˈbɑːdən vɜːrtəmˌbɜːrɡ/;German pronunciation: [ˈbaːdən ˈvʏʁtəmˌbɛʁk]) is a state of Germany located in the southwest, east of the Upper Rhine. It is Germany’s third largest state in terms of size and population, with an area of 36,410 square kilometres (14,060 sq mi) and 10.7 million inhabitants. The state capital and largest city is Stuttgart.

The sobriquet Ländle ("small land" or "dear land" in the local dialect) is sometimes used as a synonym for Baden-Württemberg.

History

Today's Baden-Württemberg historically formed part of the Baden, the Prussian Hohenzollern, and Württemberg, part of Swabia.

In 100 AD, The Roman Empire invaded and occupied Württemberg, constructing a limes (fortified boundary zone) along its northern borders. In early 200 AD, Alemanni forced the Romans to retreat beyond the Rhine and Danube rivers. In 496 AD the Alemanni themselves succumbed to a Frankish invasion led by Clovis I.

After World War II, Allied forces established three federal states in the territory of modern-day Baden-Württemberg: Württemberg-Hohenzollern, Baden and Württemberg-Baden. Baden and Württemberg-Baden were occupied by France and the United States respectively. In 1949, each state became founding members of the Federal Republic of Germany, with Article 118 of the German constitution providing an accession procedure. On 16 December 1951, Württemberg-Baden, Württemberg-Hohenzollern and Baden voted in favour a joint merger via referendum. Baden-Württemberg officially became a state of Germany on 25 April 1952.