Hanover, << huh NOH fehr >> (pop. 506,416), also spelled Hannover, is one of Germany’s largest cities. It is the capital of the state of Lower Saxony. Hanover was chartered in 1241. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Hanover from 1815 to 1866.
Hanover is a major manufacturing center. Its chief products include automobiles, chemicals, foods, and machinery. Hanover is also a major highway and railway hub. The Mittelland Canal flows through the area. Hanover holds an important fair for industrial goods each year. In 2000, the city hosted the first world’s fair held in Germany.
Hanover was heavily bombed during World War II (1939-1945), but it was rebuilt. It has a number of historical buildings. The buildings include Market Church, a Gothic church built in the 1300’s; and the Old Town Hall, which dates from the 1400’s. The city also has magnificent formal gardens called the Herrenhausen Gardens. The gardens date from the 1600’s.
