Landscapes of Baden-Württemberg
One of the great joys of life, to me at least, is exploring the different landscapes and natural regions of wherever I happen to be. Even in my topographically homogeneous home state of Iowa, notorious for being flat and boring, the Driftless Region, Loess Hills, and Southern Iowa Drift Plain offer compelling geographies to enjoy. Essentially, my point is interesting and compelling landscapes are everywhere and are one of the best parts of getting to know a place. Here, I will chronicle some of the major natural regions of the German state of Baden-Württemberg where I am calling home this summer.
Schwarzwald (Black Forest)
Named for the heavy shadows cast by the fir trees, the Black Forest is one of the most famous regions of Germany. Home to many of the Grimms Brothers fairy tales and today it carries a significant cultural legacy. From cuckoo clocks to Black Forest Cherry Cake to numerous sites and festivals, this region holds a significant role in German culture and history. Additionally, being an offshoot of the Alps, this area is host to a number of gorgeous hiking and skiing spots, as well as a variety of health spas taking advantage of the glacial lakes.
Bodensee/Oberschwaben (Lake Constance and Upper Swabia)
About half the size of the Great Salt Lake, Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) is the second largest lake in the Alps, marking the border between Switzerland and Germany. Having been under a glacier until recently (in geologic times) the lake served as a major trade route between Italian and German states during the middle ages. Many birds overwinter on the lake, as it maintains a more temperate climate in the winter compared to the surrounding mountains. Currently a popular tourist area, eventually the lake will succumb to sediment deposits. Lake Constance is surrounded by the Upper Swabian Alps.
Schwäbische Alb (Swabian Alps)
A part of the larger Alpine mountains, the Swabian Alps are characterized by rolling hills formed by the retreat of glaciers and the subsequent carving of the landscape by waters draining from the mountain cutting steep river valleys across the region. The hilly terrain makes this region a popular dairy producing area, famous for the sweet and nutty Bergkäse cheese.
Odenwald/Bauland
Another prominent forest and hill region located in the north of the state, Odenwald and Bauland represent a much older mountain range for this area of Germany. If the Alps are like the Rockies (new and growing) the Odenwald are like Appalachia (old and eroding). Originally playing host to a number of roaming Germanic tribes, the dense forest with its poor soils were difficult for the early Holy Roman Empire to access. Eventually, monasteries were established to work on opening the woods for settlement and exploitation.
Neckerland/Gäulandschaften
Following the Neckar river, this region is of particular beauty. Hosting one of Germanies many underrated wine regions, the landscape is defined by quaint meadows, rolling hills, and fertile fields. This bucolic mosaic have inspired numerous poets and writers, cheif among them Mark Twain. The river also played an important role in industrialization, where it supported factories and trade while also allowing for the development of hydropower. This allowed the state to develop into an important industrial center.
Oberrheingebeit (Upper Rhine)
The Rhine river encircles the state of Baden-Württemberg from the south and the west, originating in the Alps and flowing through to the Netherlands where it meets the Atlantic. The Rhine is one of the most important rivers on the continent, facilitating trade and industry from Roman times up to the modern day. In the 19th century, a large scale environmental modification program was undertaken which saw the straightening of the river which increased water flow and allowed for the settlement of flood plains.
