Rhineland Pfalz is located in western Germany. It shares borders with North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Baden-Wurttemberg, France, Saarland, Luxembourg, and Belgium. It has a population of 4,046,860 and an area of 19,849 square kilometers. Its capital city is Mainz. It was established as a state on August 30, 1946 after WWII.
There are two main religions of the people of Rhineland-Pfalz. The most popular is Catholicism, with 67% of the population being catholic. Followed by the Evangelical Church in Germany, which consists of 24% of the population. Rhineland-Pfalz’s political system is the same as many in Europe. They have a parliamentary system and hold elections every 5 years. Any resident 18 years of age or older may run. Like the United States, there are 2 main parties. The Social Democratic Party, and the Christian Democratic Union.
The Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, SPD) is Germany’s oldest political party, established in 1875. The current party platform of the SPD is built off the goal of social democracy, which is seen as a vision of a societal arrangement in which freedom and social justice are paramount. According to the party platform, freedom, justice, and social solidarity, form the basis of social democracy. The coordinated social market economy should be strengthened, and its output should be distributed fairly.
The Christian Democratic Union is another main party in Germany, and is generally regarded as a center-right party on the political spectrum. It is Germany’s largest political party, followed by the SPD.) Angela Merkel, the current Chancellor of Germany, is the leader of this party. In regards to the party’s platform, The CDU is Christian-based, applying the principles of Christian democracy and emphasizing the "Christian understanding of humans and their responsibility toward God." CDU membership consists however of people adhering to a variety of religions as well as non-religious individuals. The CDU's policies derive from Political Catholicism, Catholic social teaching and political Protestantism, as well as fiscal conservatism and national conservatism. The CDU was the first proponent of the social market economy, although the party has adopted more liberal economic policies since Helmut Kohl's term in office as the Chancellor of Germany (1982–1998). In terms of foreign policy, the CDU commits itself to European integration and a strong relation with the USA. In the European Union, it opposes the entry of Turkey into the EU, preferring instead a privileged partnership with Turkey. In addition to citing various human rights violations, the CDU also believes that Turkey's unwillingness to recognize Cyprus as an independent, sovereign state contradicts the EU policy that its members must recognize the existence of one another.
Rhineland-Pfalz consists of 24 Districts and 12 urban districts.
Districts:
Ahrweiler, Altenkirchen, Alzey-Worms, Bad Dürkheim, Bad Kreuznach, Bernkastel-Wittlich, Birkenfeld, Bitburg-Prüm, Cochem Zell Vulkaneifel, Donnersbergkreis, Germersheim, Kaiserslautern, Kusel, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Mainz-Bingen, Mayen-Koblenz, Neuwied, Rhein-Hunsrück, Rhein-Lahn, Südliche Weinstraße, Südwestpfalz, Trier-Saarburg, Westerwaldkreis.
Urban Districts:
Frankenthal, Kaiserslautern, Koblenz Coblenz, Landau, (the main city and an exclave) Ludwigshafen (Rheinpfalz-Kreis), Mainz, Neustadt (Weinstraße), Pirmasens, Speyer Spires, Trier, Worms, Zweibrücken.
Rhineland-Pfalz is Germany’s lead producer in Wine. Up to 70% of wine grapes grown in Germany are grown in Rhineland-Pfalz. It is Rhineland’s main agricultural product. The other major industries in Rhineland Pfalz are tourism and chemical industry. More than just wine entices tourists to visit Rhineland Pfalz. Rhineland is home to The Hambacher Schloss castle, four awesome cathedrals, and seven museums.
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