Hannover is the state capital of the federal state of Niedersachsen, a modern city of approximately half a million inhabitants, surrounded by idyllic little towns and villages. Hannover is a green city in the heart of Europe. As the historic town center and the modern city of trade fairs – its inhabitants welcome guests from all over the world.

Hannover is easily and conveniently accessible via Hannover Airport, the A2 and A7 freeways (the German “Autobahn”) or the German Rail’s network of ICE high-speed trains. Additionally, the whole region is connected by a comprehensive system of public transport.

The World Exhibition EXPO 2000 put Hannover on the international map. The capital of the federal state of Niedersachsen is well known as a modern trade fair location and hosts the world’s largest computer fair CeBIT. Above all, Hannover is an important center of business and industry with many internationally active enterprises.

Hannover is a very historical city. As early as 1241 Hannover was granted a city charter. The historic old city centre with the old city hall and the market church surrounded by picturesque lanes and half-timbered houses present a clear picture of life in the late Middle Ages. The baroque Herrenhausen Garden – dating back to 1666 – is among the most beautiful and largest in Germany. It attracts visitors from all over the world with garden festivals, baroque firework displays and theater performances.

The quality of life in Hannover is great, because the city has so many green spaces. Large areas of woodland stretch right into the city center, where you can find quiet places for a relaxing picnic. Lake Maschsee invites to sailing, while the rivers are popular with canoeists. Everywhere all kinds of groups can be found doing their own particular sports right in the center of this green city. And those who prefer to watch rather than do sports themselves can go to a first-league match of the football club Hannover 96 or to an ice-hockey match of the successful Hannover Scorpions.

Culturally, you are spoilt for choice in Hannover. The theater is one of the best in Germany; the opera, the ballet, the jazz club and the vaudeville theater are all extremely popular. Museums, concerts and other events – there is something for everybody.