Saxony-Anhalt at a glance

Saxony-Anhalt is one of 16 member states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It was first established as one of the new East German federal states in October 1990.

Saxony-Anhalt is bordered by Brandenburg in the northeast, Saxony and Thuringia in the south and Lower Saxony in the northwest. The state capital and seat of government is Magdeburg.

• Area: 20,446 km² (7,897 sq mi) 
• Total population: 2.313,280 inhabitants (2011), 
• Administrative districts: 11 rural districts, 219 administrative communities (2012)
• Urban districts: 3
              - Magdeburg:       232,364 inhabitants (2011)   
              - Halle (Saale):     233,705 inhabitants (2011)   
              - Dessau-Roßlau:    85,838 inhabitants (2011)

 Economy

• Jobholders liable for social insurance: 771,604 (2011/09/30)
• Unemployed: 135,182 Unemployment rate: 11.3 percent 
  (2011/12/31)
• gross domestic product 2011: Euro 51,9 billion

Inflation-adjusted growth rate,

• 2006:  2.9 percent
• 2007:  1.5 percent
• 2008:  2.4 percent
• 2009: -4.7 percent
• 2010:  2.4 percent
• 2011:  2.8 percent

Airports
International airport: Leipzig-Halle
Regional airport: Magdeburg
Regional airport: Cochstedt

Principal rail connections
Hannover - Magdeburg - Halle - Leipzig
Hannover - Magdeburg - Berlin
Hannover - Stendal - Berlin
Berlin - Wittenberg - Halle - Erfurt 

Motorways
A2     - (Hannover - Magdeburg - Berlin)
A9     - (München - Halle/Leipzig - Dessau - Berlin)
A14   - (Dresden - Leipzig - Halle - Magdeburg)
A38   - (South Harz motorway)
A143 - (western Halle bypass - at the planning stage)

Important waterways
River Elbe
River Saale
Elbe-Havel channel
Mittelland channel