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Erfurt, Germany

Erfurt
Church complex.jpg
Rathaus (Erfurt).jpg Erfurt, Krämerbrücke (6342750117).jpg
Domplatz Erfurt 01.jpg
From top: Erfurt skyline with Erfurt Cathedral and Serverichurch,
Town hall, Krämerbrücke and Domplatz
Flag of Erfurt
Flag
Coat of arms of Erfurt
Coat of arms
Erfurt   is located in Germany
Erfurt
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).


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