Hanover, << huh NOH fehr, >> also spelled Hannover, is a historic area in northwestern Germany. In 1692, Hanover became an electorate, a territory whose ruler–called the elector–could help elect the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1714, Elector George Louis of Hanover became King George I of Great Britain. Hanover and Britain remained associated until 1837, when George’s last male heir died. Prussia gained control of Hanover in 1866. Hanover became a province of the new German Empire in 1871. In 1946, Hanover became part of the West German state of Lower Saxony. West Germany and East Germany united in 1990.
The Hanover region includes the cities of Gottingen, Emden, Hanover, and Oldenburg. Farming is Hanover’s chief industry. But the region is also a manufacturing center. The Harz Mountains area yields timber and minerals.
