Erfurt, Germany

Erfurt
From top: Erfurt skyline with Erfurt Cathedral and Serverichurch, Town hall, Krämerbrücke and Domplatz
Flag Coat of arms
Erfurt
Coordinates: 50°59′0″N 11°2′0″E / 50.98333°N 11.03333°E / 50.98333; 11.03333Coordinates: 50°59′0″N 11°2′0″E / 50.98333°N 11.03333°E / 50.98333; 11.03333
Country	Germany
State	Thuringia
District	Urban district
First mentioned	742
Government
• Lord Mayor	Andreas Bausewein (SPD)
• Governing parties	SPD / The Left / Greens
Area
• Total	269.17 km2 (103.93 sq mi)
Population (2015-12-31)
• Total	210,118
• Density	780/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	99084-99099
Dialling codes	0361
Vehicle registration	EF
Website	www.erfurt.de/ef/en (English)

Ten largest groups of foreign residents
Nationality	Population (2013)
Russia	753
Vietnam	661
Ukraine	575
Poland	452
Turkey	445
Afghanistan	358
Hungary	286
Azerbaijan	249
Iraq	228
Latvia	220

Erfurt (German pronunciation: [ˈɛʁfʊʁt]) is the capital and largest city in the state of Thuringia, central Germany. It lies in the southern part of the Thuringian Basin, within the wide valley of the Gera river. It is located 100 km (62 mi) south-west of Leipzig, 300 km (186 mi) south-west of Berlin, 400 km (249 mi) north of Munich and 250 km (155 mi) north-east of Frankfurt. Together with neighbouring cities Weimar and Jena it forms the central metropolitan area of Thuringia with approximately 400,000 inhabitants.

Erfurt's old town is one of the most intact medieval cities in Germany, having survived World War II with very little damage. Tourist attractions include the Krämerbrücke (Merchants' bridge), the ensemble of Erfurt Cathedral and Severikirche (St Severus's Church) and Petersburg Citadel, one of the largest and best preserved town fortresses in Europe. The city's economy is based on agriculture, horticulture and microelectronics. Its central location has led to it becoming a logistics hub for Germany and central Europe. Erfurt hosts the second-largest trade fair in eastern Germany (after Leipzig) as well as the public television children’s channel KiKa.

The city is situated on the Via Regia, a medieval trade and pilgrims' road network. Modern day Erfurt is also a hub for ICE high speed trains and other German and European transport networks. Erfurt was first mentioned in 742, as Saint Boniface founded the diocese. Although the town did not belong to any of the Thuringian states politically, it quickly became the economic centre of the region. It was part of the Electorate of Mainz during the Holy Roman Empire, and later became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1802. From 1949 until 1990 Erfurt was part of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).