That is how you are normally greeted in Bavaria. The meaning can be translated as "God bless you".
"Bavaria is a Free State. The colours of the state are white and blue. The coat of arms of the state are determined by law." Article 1 of the Constitution of the Free State of Bavaria
"We live in the south-eastern part of Upper Bavaria."
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Land Area : 70,554 square km or 27,240 sq. miles
Bavaria is divided in 7 districts (Regierungsbezirke). Each district has various regions (Landkreise) with its own administration.
Four "tribes" form Bavaria:
The "Altbayern" (old Bavarians):They live in the south-eastern part of the country, roughly in the area from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, München (Munich), Regensburg, Weiden. The Schwaben (Swabian):They live in the south-western part of the country, the area around Neu-Ulm, Augsburg, Kempten. The Franken (Franconians):They live in the northern and north-western part of the country, the area around Cobourg, Bayreuth, Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Ansbach. Refuges from the Sudetenland:They came after the end of World War II. You will find them across the whole country.
Population and area compared:
Munich
1,280,982
Nuremberg
500,000
Augsburg
269,499
Regensburg
151,717
Würzburg
129,628
Ingolstadt
120,737
Fürth
113,548
Erlangen
103,869
Cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Bavaria with the number of inhabitants:
State
Population (in millions)
area (square kilometres)
North-Rhine-Westphalia
18.08
34,084
Bavaria
12.44
70,549
Baden-Württemberg
10.72
35,752
Belgium
10.38
32,500
Sweden
8.96
449,964
Austria
8.18
83,871
Switzerland
7.49
41,290
The Bavarian coat of arms is generally known and loved. It was introduced on 5 June 1950 with the "Law concerning the Coat of Arms of the Free State of Bavaria". The symbols depicted in the coat of arms are deeply rooted in the history of Bavaria. The heraldic elements in the "Great Coat of Arms of Bavaria" are as follows:
The golden lion
Originally the golden lion in the black field was the symbol of the Counts Palatine at Rhein. After the Bavarian Duke Ludwig was enfeoffed with the County Palatine in 1214 it served for centuries as the joint symbol of the ancient Bavarian and Palatine Wittelsbach dynasties. Today the golden lion rampant of the Palatinate, edged in red, is a reminder of the district of the Upper Palatinate.
The Franconian rake
The second quarter is divided into two halves: red and white (silver) with three white peaks. This "rake" was first encountered in the arms of several places belonging to the High Abbey of Würzburg around 1350 and then in the seals of the Prince Bishops around 1410. Today the Franconian rake stands for the districts of Upper Franconia, Middle Franconia, and Lower Franconia.
The blue panther
The third quarter, in the bottom left, shows a blue panther rampant, edged in gold, against a white (silver) background. It was first used in the 12th century in the arms of the Counts Palatine of Ortenburg, who lived in Lower Bavaria. Later it was adopted by the Wittlesbachs. Today the blue panther represents the ancient Bavarian districts of Lower Bavaria and Upper Bavaria.
The three black lions
The fourth quarter depicts three black lions couchant, edged in red, one above the other, facing the observer. They derive from the ancient coat of arms of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, the former Dukes of Swabia, first used in 1216. In the coat of arms these three lions represent the district of Swabia.
The white and blue central shield
The central shield consists of white (silver) and blue rhombuses. After serving as the coat of arms of the Counts of Bogen from 1204, the Wittelsbachs took it over as their standard family coat of arms in 1247. The white and blue rhombuses are the quintessential symbol of Bavaria. Today the rhomboid shield represents Bavaria as a whole. Together with the people's crown it is also officially used as the "Lesser Coat of Arms of the State".
The people's crown
The four-quartered shield with the central shield is surmounted by a crown. It consists of a bejewelled golden band decorated with five ornamental leaves. First used in the coat of arms of 1923, it is known as the people's crown to symbolise the sovereignty of the people following the abolition of the monarchy.
The Bavarian State Flags
The Free State of Bavaria has two official flags, one with stripes and one with rhombuses, of equal status. The striped flag consists of two equal horizontal stripes in the Bavarian colours, white on top, blue below. The rhomboid flag consists of at least 21 white and blue rhombuses including the incomplete ones at the edges of the flag. Long thin flags can include more rhombuses. In any case, however, the heraldic top right-hand corner (that is the top left-hand corner from the point of view of the observer) must be occupied by an incomplete white rhombus.
More gathered Info
"Bavaria is filled with excitement. You have the famous Alps, clean lakes and historical cities. There are many scenic and interesting places to visit where you can rub shoulders or share a beer or coffee with the locals. Festivities are ongoing the year round. Even the smallest villages find always a reason to celebrate something. Friendly guests are always welcome to share in the fun - just join in.
The media has given certain images of the typical Bavarian, but don't be fooled. All Bavarians are not fat, wear Lederhosen or a Dirndl (folk dress) and do many things besides drinking beer and listening to Um -papa music.
Bavaria is also not only an agricultural country, it hosts a variety of high tech industry. Many world famous companies are located in Bavaria.
Bavaria does a lot to keep the leadership in technology and at the same time the country clean and preventing environmental damage. Naturally, they cannot block air pollution coming across the border. They talk to their neighbors and because of good relations, they are solving problems together.
There is something to see and to do for everybody, whether you are interested in sightseeing, mountain climbing, skiing, Bavarian food, beer, wine tasting, folklore, sailing, ultra light flying, paragliding, parachute jumping, art, great music, opera, operetta, night life, running the Autobahn or just having fun and an adventure.
About the Bavarians:
Most Bavarians are very proud of their country, their heritage, their culture and what they have achieved.
Please be aware that German is spoken in Germany. Mickey Mouse speaking in German is an unforgettable experience.
Many different dialects are spoken in Bavaria.
You will find a difference in architecture, dialect, lifestyle, attitude, food, customs and many other details.
