Hanover is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Its 535,061 (2017) inhabitants make it the 13th-largest city in Germany as well as the third-largest city in Northern Germany after Hamburg and Bremen. Hanover’s urban area comprises the towns of Garbsen, Langenhagen and Laatzen and has a population of about 791,000 (2018). The Hanover Region has approximately 1.16 million inhabitants (2019).
In Hanover you will find some big industry companies like Volkswagen (Cars and Vans), Continental (tyres), Varta (batteries) and TUI (tourism). The city has a very modern zoo and an international airport. There are some very big fairs in Hanover like the CeBIT – Centre of Office, Information and Telecommunication (B is for Büro that means office) and the traditional Hanover fair that shows classical industrial products. Expo in 2000 was in Hanover.
Hanover has a large forest near the inner city, it is called the Eilenriede. There is also a lake (the Maschsee) of about three km length and 500 m width near the city centre. The famous gardens of Herrenhausen (Herrenhäuser Gärten) are also in Hanover. The gardens were heavily destroyed in WWII, but they are currently under reconstruction.
People in Hannover get around town by using the Hannover Hauptbahnhof, which has been around since 1843. The mayor of the city is Stefan Weil who followed Herbert Schmalstieg in 2006. Both are from the social democratic party SPD. The city has been administered by social democratic city councils since the 1950s. The (new) town hall is one of the famous buildings in the city, others are the Marktkirche (market church), the old (medieval) town hall, some castles like the Leineschloss and the Welfenschloss.
Some internationally famous inhabitants of the town are:
The classic rock band Scorpions, the former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder and the association football player Per Mertesacker.
Currency
If you visit Germany from a country within the euro zone, you are a happy traveller! No need to worry about the best exchange rates before you leave home. While you travel in Germany, you don’t need to calculate prices into another currency.
Weather
The Hanover lies on 61m above sea level Hanover’s climate is classified as warm and temperate. Hanover is a city with a significant rainfall. Even in the driest month there is a lot of rain. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Cfb. The average annual temperature in Hanover is 8.8 °C | 47.8 °F. The rainfall here is around 666 mm | 26.2 inch per year
Language
There are plenty of dialects and particularities in almost every German region. Some make a big difference (like bavarian language) other are rather small. Some small things you can find also in Hannover. Tiny parts of the people in this region use so called Calenberger Platt as a dialect, some others have a special pronounciation on letter S. But both is rather hard to find nowerdays. So Hannover is probably one of the best places to listen and learn to a pure and clean German language.
Health and security
There’s a threat of terrorist attack in Germany. This includes by right-wing extremists and people motivated by conflict in Iraq and Syria.
The German Government has increased security measures, including at airports and major train stations.
Authorities continue to arrest and charge suspected terrorists.
Recent attacks include:
- October 2020 – a stabbing attack in the street in Dresden killing one person and injuring another
- August 2020 – an extremist deliberately drove a car into several others on a Berlin city motorway injuring several people
- February 2020 – an extremist opened fire on two shisha bars in Hanau near Frankfurt, causing several deaths and injuries
- December 2016 — a truck drove through a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, causing several deaths and injuries
- November and December 2016 — several attempted attacks at Christmas markets, despite tightened security
- July 2016 — a stabbing attack on a train in Bavaria, injuring 5 people (Daesh claimed responsibility)
- July 2016 — a suicide bomber injured 15 at a bar near a music festival in Ansbach, Bavaria
Terrorists may plan more attacks that could happen anywhere at any time.
Recent attacks in European cities have targeted:
- planes and airports
- public transport and transport hubs
- places of worship
- sporting venues
- major events that attract large crowds
Christmas markets and New Year’s celebrations remain vulnerable.
To protect yourself from terrorism:
- be alert to possible threats
- be cautious around known targets, including in crowds and public places
- report suspicious activity or items to police
- monitor the media for new threats
- take official warnings seriously
- follow the advice of local authorities
If there’s an attack, leave the area as soon as it’s safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.
If you visit Christmas markets, avoid busy times. Have an exit plan if there’s a security incident.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
Violent crime
Violent criminal attacks, not linked to terrorism, have occurred:
- February 2020 – a man drove his car into a crowd at the Rose Monday Parade in Volkmarsen injuring more than 60 people
- December 2018 – a man drove his car into a crowd in Bottrop injuring 4 people
- October 2018 — a hostage was taken at a train station in Cologne
- July 2018 — a man stabbed and injured 12 people on a local bus in Lübeck
- October 2017 — a man stabbed and injured 8 people in Rosenheimer Platz in Munich
Despite these incidents, violent crime isn’t common.
Monitor the media for news on crime.
Petty crime
Street crime, such as pickpocketing and theft from unattended vehicles can occur. Bags and personal items are sometimes stolen on trains.
To protect yourself from petty crime:
- pay attention to your personal security, particularly at night
- secure your valuables when visiting the central districts and larger-city train stations
Harassment
Extremist youth groups have harassed or attacked people for racial reasons or because they seem foreign. This occurs more often in urban areas and in the former East Germany.
Drink spiking
Drink spiking can occur at popular nightclubs and markets, often leading to sexual assault.
To protect yourself from drink spiking:
- don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks alone
- stick with people you trust in bars and nightclubs
This advice pre-dates COVID-19
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you’re not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
- what activities and care your policy covers
- that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
- have a basic health check-up
- ask if your travel plans may affect your health
- plan any vaccinations you need
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
