View source for Schleswig-Holstein

{{short description|State in Germany}}
{{About|the current German state and its historic antecedents|the Prussian province (1868–1945)|Province of Schleswig-Holstein|the warship|SMS Schleswig-Holstein{{!}}SMS ''Schleswig-Holstein''}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| official_name      = Schleswig-Holstein
| native_name        = <small>{{native name|da|Slesvig-Holsten}}<br />{{native name|nds|Sleswig-Holsteen}}<br />{{native name|frr|Slaswik-Holstiinj}}</small>
| native_name_lang   = 
| settlement_type    = [[States of Germany|State]]
| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 270px
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Schleswig-Holstein.svg
| flag_size          = 120px
| image_shield       = DEU Schleswig-Holstein COA.svg
| shield_size        = 75px
| anthem             = 
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=y|plain=yes|frame-align=center|zoom=5|type=shape<!--line-->|id=|stroke-color=|stroke-width=2|frame-lat=51.1|frame-long=10.5|frame-width=250|frame-height=300}}
| mapsize            = 155px
| map_caption        = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|54|28|12|N|9|30|50|E|display=inline}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|Germany}}
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Kiel]]
| governing_body     = [[Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein]]
| leader_party       = [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
| leader_title       = [[Minister-President]]
| leader_name        = [[Daniel Günther]]
| leader_title1      = Governing parties
| leader_name1       = {{Polparty|Germany|CDU}} / {{Polparty|Germany|Bündnis 90/Die Grünen}}
| leader_title2      = [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat votes]]
| leader_name2       = 4 (of 69)
| leader_title3      = [[Bundestag|Bundestag seats]]
| leader_name3       = [[Results of the 2025 German federal election#Schleswig-Holstein|25 (of 630)]] <small>(as of 2025)</small>
| total_type         = Total
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Fläche und Bevölkerung |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |access-date=2025-06-18|website=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |language=de}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 15804.30
| elevation_m        = 
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Bevölkerung am 31.12.2023 nach Nationalität und Bundesländern |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bevoelkerung/Bevoelkerungsstand/Tabellen/bevoelkerung-nichtdeutsch-laender.html |access-date=2025-06-18|website=Statistisches Bundesamt |language=de}}</ref>
| population_total   = 2965691
| population_as_of   = 31 December 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_demonym = 
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |year=2025 |title=Gross domestic product, gross value added in the states of the Federal Republic of Germany 1991 to 2024 (Series 1 Volume 1) |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/sites/default/files/2025-04/vgrdl_r1b1_bs2024_2.xlsx |website=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |language=de}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = €126.829 billion (2024)
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = €42,705 (2024)
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +2
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = 
| registration_plate = formerly: S<small> (1945–1947)</small>, SH<small> (1947)</small>, BS<small> (1948–1956)</small><ref>By the federal vehicle registration reform of 1 July 1956 distinct prefixes were given for every district.</ref>
| blank2_name_sec2   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022)
| blank2_info_sec2   = 0.929<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/DEU/ |title=Subnational HDI |website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of German states by Human Development Index|12th of 16]]
| iso_code           = DE-SH
| blank_name_sec2    = [[First level NUTS of the European Union#Germany|NUTS Region]]
| blank_info_sec2    = DEF
| website            = [https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/EN/home/home_node.html schleswig-holstein.de]
| footnotes          = 
| image_blank_emblem = Schleswig-Holstein, Der echte Norden.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| blank_emblem_size  = 120px
}}

'''Schleswig-Holstein''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʃ|l|ɛ|s|w|ɪ|g|_|ˈ|h|oʊ|l|s|t|aɪ|n}}; {{IPA|de|ˌʃleːsvɪç ˈhɔlʃtaɪn|lang|De-Schleswig-Holstein.ogg}}; {{langx|da|Slesvig-Holsten}} {{IPA|da|ˌsle̝ːsvi ˈhʌlˌste̝ˀn|}}; {{langx|nds|Sleswig-Holsteen}}; {{langx|frr|Slaswik-Holstiinj}}; occasionally in English ''Sleswick-Holsatia''<ref>{{cite web |title=Full text of "Caithness events : a discussion of Captain Kennedy's historical narrative, and an account of the Broynach Earls" |url=https://archive.org/stream/caithnesseventsd00sinc/caithnesseventsd00sinc_djvu.txt |website=Internet Archive |date=24 May 1894 |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref>) is the [[Northern Germany|northernmost]] of the 16 [[states of Germany]], comprising most of the historical [[Duchy of Holstein]] and the southern part of the former [[Duchy of Schleswig]]. Its capital city is [[Kiel]]; other notable cities are [[Lübeck]] and [[Flensburg]]. It covers an area of {{convert|15763|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, making it the 5th smallest German federal state by area (including the city-states). Historically, the name can also refer to a larger region, containing both present-day Schleswig-Holstein and the former [[South Jutland County]] (Northern Schleswig; now part of the [[Region of Southern Denmark]]) in [[Denmark]]. 

Schleswig, known as South Jutland at the time, had been under Danish control since the fifth century. In the 12th century, however, it became a duchy within Denmark due to infighting in the Danish royal house. It bordered Holstein, which was a part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Beginning in 1460, the King of Denmark ruled both Schleswig and Holstein as their duke. Schleswig was still part of Denmark, while Holstein remained part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the 19th century, both Danes and Germans believed they had a rightful claim to Schleswig-Holstein. While the population of Holstein and Lauenburg was entirely ethnically German, Schleswig had been predominantly Danish until the late 1700s and early 1800s, when extensive German influence led to the Germanization of [[South Schleswig]]. The resulting long-term political and territorial dispute was known as the [[Schleswig-Holstein Question]]. In 1848, Denmark tried to formally annex the area. Prussia responded by invading, thus beginning the [[First Schleswig War]], which ended in a victory for Denmark. But in the [[Second Schleswig War]] (1864), Prussia and Austria won, and the territory was absorbed into Prussia in 1867. After the German defeat in [[World War I]] the Allies required that the question of sovereignty over the territory be submitted to [[Referendum|plebiscites]] (the [[1920 Schleswig plebiscites]]). They resulted in the return of the Danish-speaking North Schleswig to Denmark. The area was subsequently renamed South Jutland, restoring the historical name used before it was changed to Schleswig by [[Gerhard III, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg|Gerhard III]] of the [[House of Schaumburg|House of Schauenburg]]. After [[World War II]], Schleswig-Holstein [[Refugees in Schleswig-Holstein after the Second World War|took in over a million refugees]].

Today, Schleswig-Holstein's economy is known for its agriculture, such as its [[Holstein cow]]s. Its position on the Atlantic Ocean makes it a major trade point and shipbuilding site; it is also the location of the [[Kiel Canal]]. Its offshore oil wells and wind farms produce significant amounts of energy. Fishing is a major industry and the basis of its distinctive, unique local cuisine. It is a popular tourist destination for Germans and visitors from across the globe.

==History==
{{main|History of Schleswig-Holstein}}
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2024}}
[[File:AreasSettlementSchleswig-HolsteinText.png|thumb|The historic settlement areas in present-day Schleswig-Holstein]]
The term "Holstein" derives from [[Old Saxon]] ''Holseta Land'' (''Holz'' means wood in modern Standardized German; ''[[Woodland|holt]]'' is a now-archaic English word for woods.) Originally, the term referred to the central of the three [[Saxons|Saxon]] tribes north of the [[River Elbe]]: ''Tedmarsgoi'' (Dithmarschen), [[Holstein]], and ''Sturmarii'' ([[Stormarn (gau)|Stormarn]]). The area inhabited by the tribe of the Holsts lay between the [[Stör]] River and [[Hamburg]]; after [[Christianization]], their main church was in [[Schenefeld, Steinburg|Schenefeld]]. [[Duchy of Saxony|Saxon]] Holstein became a part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] after [[Charlemagne]]'s [[Saxon Wars|Saxon campaigns]] in the late eighth century. Beginning in 811, the northern border of Holstein (and thus of the Empire) was the [[Eider (river)|River Eider]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

The term "Schleswig" originally referred to the city of [[Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein|Schleswig]]. The word Schleswig is a German transliteration of the Danish word Slesvig, which consists of two words: [[Schlei]] and vig. The Schlei refers to the river at which the city lies, and vig means "[[inlet]]" or bay. Schleswig, therefore, means (in Danish): "The bay at the river Schlei". The Schlei is known as Slien in Danish and is believed to have been used only for the inner Slien (the Great and Little Bay near the city of Schleswig). The word is thought to be related to Slæ, which means reeds and aquatic plants found in this area.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Laur |first1=Wolfgang |title=Historisches Ortsnamenlexikon von Schleswig-Holstein |date=1992 |publisher=Karl Wachholtz Verlag |location=Neumünster |isbn=978-3-529-02726-0 |page=575 |edition=2nd |language=DE}}</ref>

The [[Duchy of Schleswig]], or Southern Jutland, was originally an integral part of Denmark, but in [[medieval]] times was established as a [[fief]] under the control of the Kingdom of Denmark, having the same relationship with the [[Danish Royal Family|Danish Crown]] as, for example, [[Brandenburg]] or [[Bavaria]] had with the [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. Around 1100, the [[Duchy of Saxony]] gave Holstein to [[Count]] [[Adolf I of Holstein|Adolf I]] of [[County of Schauenburg|Schauenburg]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===The Migration Period===
[[File:Danevirke 123.jpg|thumb|The [[Danevirke]], stretching from the [[Treene (river)|Treene River]] in the east to [[Schlei|Schlei Bay]] in the west]]
[[File:Hærvejen.gif|thumb|upright=0.75|The [[Hærvejen]], starting at its northern terminus in [[Viborg, Denmark|Viborg]] and reaching its southern terminus in [[Hamburg]]]]
During the [[Migration Period]], the [[Jutland]] peninsula was home to several tribes. The [[Jutes]] inhabited the most northern part of the peninsula from [[Grenen]] to {{ill|Olger's Dyke|de|Olgerdige}}. This dyke, dating back to around the first century, served as the boundary between the Jutes in the north and the [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]] in the south.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olgerdiget: Den første grænse |url=https://politikenhistorie.dk/art7619917/Den-f%C3%B8rste-gr%C3%A6nse |website=Politikenhistorie |access-date=28 September 2024 |language=da-DK |date=5 February 2020}}</ref> This dyke lost its relevance in the 200s when the Angles expanded northward, leading to the establishment of a new dyke called the {{ill|Wendish Dyke|da|Vendersvold Vendersvold (Wendish dyke)}}. The southern border of the Angles was marked by the [[Marsh|marshes]] surrounding the [[Eider (river)|Eider]], that combined with the dense [[old-growth forest]] to the south of the river, formed a natural barrier.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eider River {{!}} North Sea, Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Eider-River |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> South of the forest lay the region now known as Holstein, which was divided between the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[Saxons]], who inhabited the western part, and the [[Slavs|Slavic]] [[Wagria|Wagri]], who lived in the eastern part. In the 8th century, the Wagri became part of the Slavic tribal confederation known as the [[Obotrites]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Obodrite {{!}} Germanic Tribe, Slavic Tribe, Paganism {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Obodrite |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> (also known as the [[Wends]] by the Danes and Saxons).<ref>{{cite web |title=Wend {{!}} Germanic tribe, Migration, Paganism {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wend |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

During the 4th and early 5th centuries, a significant migration saw the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons depart from their homelands to settle in the [[British Isles]].<ref>Jim Storr, The Anglo-Saxon Conquest of England. Helion & Company, Warwick, 2023.</ref> This mass exodus left much of the Jutland Peninsula sparsely populated, allowing the Danes from southern Scandinavia and the islands of [[Zealand]], [[Funen]], and other smaller Danish isles to migrate into the peninsula. They gradually settled the region, integrating the remaining Jutes and Angles who had not left for Britain. By the mid-5th century, the Danes had established settlements from Grenen in the north to just north of the Eider River and its marshes. Their southernmost settlements being around [[Schwansen]], [[Hedeby]] and [[Husum]], mirroring the same southern border as their Angle predecessors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grænselandets historie |url=https://graenseforeningen.dk/om-graenselandet/graenselandets-historie |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Graenseforeningen |language=da}}</ref> As raiding was a frequent practice among the Danes, Saxons, and Wagrians, the borderlands was a hostile and unsafe area to inhabit. In response to these threats, the Danes began constructing the [[Danevirke]]. Originally built as a dyke, it was gradually expanded into a 30-kilometer earthwork with a palisade fortification, forming a barrier between the Danes and their southern neighbors. The Danevirke was strategically positioned at the narrowest point of the peninsula, with its eastern end beginning at the [[Treene (river)|Treene River]] and extending to the [[Schlei |Schlei Bay]].<ref>Henrik Jansen, Danevirke. Aarhus University Press, Aarhus, 2013.</ref> This fortification served to deter Saxon and Wagrian raids while enabling the Danes to launch their own raids into southern territories. It would remain in use until 1864, being expanded and adapted to the changing military needs of the Danes multiple times.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dannevirke, 500- |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/vis/materiale/dannevirke |website=danmarkshistorien.dk |date=24 March 2025 |language=da}}</ref>

The establishment of the Danevirke not only helped to prevent Saxon and Wagrian raids into Danish territory but also served as a toll station. Danish chieftains would collect fees from traders, merchants, and peasants traveling along the [[Hærvejen]] (Heerweg/Armyway), the main trade route running through the peninsula. Saxons, Wagrians, and Danes alike used the Hærvejen to trade goods such as honey, furs, amber, glass, metalwork, and other commodities, such as livestock, with cattle and oxen being particularly important. Especially the Danes developed a thriving livestock breeding industry, driving large herds along the Hærvejen to sell on the continent. This trade gave the route its alternative names, such as "Studevejen" (Cattle Way) in Danish and "Ochsenweg" (Oxen Way) in German.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ochsenweg – Gesellschaft für Schleswig-Holsteinische Geschichte |url=https://geschichte-s-h.de/sh-von-a-bis-z/o/ochsenweg/ |website=geschichte-s-h.de |access-date=28 September 2024}}</ref> Therefore control of the Danevirke, through which the Hærvejen ran, was of immense financial significance. Whoever controlled the gates of Danevirke also controlled the trade along the Hærvejen, giving them access to substantial wealth.

===The Early Middle Ages===
After approximately 350 to 400 years of Danes being the sole inhabitants north of the Eider, the [[Frisians]] arrived in two waves, the first of which occurred in the 800s. They came from [[Frisia]] and initially settled on the islands of [[Heligoland]], [[Sylt]], [[Föhr]], and [[Amrum]] in the southwestern part of Jutland. Later, they expanded to [[Eiderstedt]] and the Jutish coastline.<ref>Nelleke IJssennagger and John Hines (eds.), Frisians and Their North Sea Neighbours: From the Fifth Century to the Viking Age. Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 2017.</ref> These areas eventually became known as [[North Frisia]], though historically, the region was referred to as [[Uthlande]] (Outland).<ref>John Hines and Nelleke IJssennagger-van der Pluijm (eds.), Frisians of the Early Middle Ages: Studies in Historical Archaeoethnology. Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 2020.</ref> In these settlements, the Frisians established fishing and trading stations. The local Danes soon became a minority and, over time, assimilated into the Frisian population.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Århammar |first=Nils |date=1992 |title=Om danske låneord i nordfrisisk og deres betydning for jysk ord- og lydhistorie med en ekskurs om nordfrisiske lån i jysk |url=http://www.hum.au.dk/jysk/publikationer/ordsag12.pdf |journal=Ord & Sag |language=da |publisher=Institut for Jysk Sprog-og Kulturforskning, [[Aarhus University]] |volume=12 |doi=10.7146/ordogsag.v12.149553 |issn=0108-8025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609160706/http://www.hum.au.dk/jysk/publikationer/ordsag12.pdf |archive-date=9 June 2007 |access-date=28 September 2024}}</ref> The Frisians contributed to the broader Hærvejen trade network, with sea routes extending along the Frisian and Dutch coasts, supplying high-quality salt, fish, and other maritime goods. Moreover, they were particularly active in trade with [[East Anglia]] in [[England]], where pottery was exchanged in large quantities.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

====Saxon Wars====
[[File:Limes.saxoniae.wmt.png|thumb|The {{Lang|la|[[Limes Saxoniae]]}} border between the [[Saxons]] and the [[Obotrites]], established about 810 in present-day Schleswig-Holstein]]
{{main|Saxon Wars}}
Normalcy in the area vanished with the expansion of the [[Francia|Frankish Empire]] into [[Saxons|Saxony]] from 772 to 804, triggering a generational war on an unprecedented scale for the region. Before this, the Franks had spent nearly 20 years, from the late 600s to the early 700s, subjugating and converting the [[Frisian Kingdom]]. Their primary opponent was the formidable Frisian king [[Radbod of Frisia|Redbad]], who fiercely resisted the Franks until his death. Now, the Frisians' neighbors, the Saxons, faced Frankish expansion. The ''casus belli'' was a Saxon raid on the church in [[Deventer]] in January of 772. This conflict, fueled by [[Charlemagne]]'s desire to conquer the Saxons and convert them from their belief in the [[Germanic mythology|Germanic pantheon]] to [[Christianity]], used the Deventer raid as a pretext to wage a war that would ultimately reshape the political and cultural landscape of what would later become Holstein forever. Throughout 18 campaigns, carried out in three phases over 32 years, Charlemagne aimed to subdue the Saxons and forcibly convert them to Christianity, in what became known as the [[Saxon Wars]].{{cn|date=September 2024}} In retaliation for the raid on the church in Deventer, Charlemagne ordered his troops to destroy the holy pillar [[Irminsul]], near [[Paderborn]] in either 772 or 773—a notorious act that sent shockwaves throughout the Germanic pagan world.{{cn|date=September 2024}} It has been postulated that Irminsul symbolised [[Yggdrasil|Yggdrasil Ash]] - the world tree. Charlemagne then destroyed all Saxon settlements up to the [[Weser|Wesser]] river. After defeating the Saxons and securing [[Hostage diplomacy|hostages]], he turned his attention to northern [[Italy]].{{cn|date=September 2024}} 

For centuries, the Danes and Saxons had regarded each other as kindred peoples, sharing the same belief in the Germanic pantheon and frequently intermarrying, especially among the elite.{{cn|date=September 2024}} Thus, the defeated Saxon warleader [[Widukind]] sought refuge with his father-in-law, Danish king [[Sigfred]]. The ''[[Royal Frankish Annals]]'' mentions that Widukind received substantial aid from Sigfred, though the exact nature of this aid is not explicitly stated. However, the chronicles do note that Sigfred and Charlemagne brokered a peace agreement some years later, indicating that Sigfred, upon hearing Widukind's plea, may have mustered his army and joined the war on the side of the Saxons.{{cn|date=September 2024}} In response to the Danes' involvement in the war, Charlemagne seems to have recruited the [[Obotrites]] by promising them the Saxon portion of Holstein.{{cn|date=September 2024}} This alliance with Charlemagne shifted the balance of power in the region. In 782, after another defeat of the Saxons, Charlemagne ordered the mass execution of 4,500 Saxons, an atrocity that became known as the [[Massacre of Verden]]. Following this brutal act, Charlemagne was nicknamed the "Butcher of Saxons" or "Saxonslaughterer."{{cn|date=September 2024}}

In 796, despite Saxony being fully under Frankish rule, the Saxons rose once more, supported by the Danes. The rebellion was triggered by the forced conscription of Saxons for the Frankish [[Avar Wars|wars against the Avars]]. Moreover, Charlemagne, in alliance with the Obotrites, planned to subjugate the Danes, now led by King [[Gudfred|Gudfred Sigfredson]].{{cn|date=September 2024}} However, Gudfred struck first. He expanded the Danevirke, assembled a fleet, mustered an army, and launched attacks on the Obotrites and later Frankish Frisia. But he was slain, either by one of his [[huscarls]] or possibly his own illegitimate son, on the Frisian campaign. The new Danish king, [[Hemming of Denmark|Hemming]], Gudfred's nephew, initiated peace talks, which resulted in the [[Treaty of Heiligen]] in 810. The treaty established the Danish border at the Eider River.{{cn|date=May 2025}} Charlemagne retained Saxony, including Holstein, and established the [[Limes Saxoniae]] as a border with the Obotrites. This agreement established firm boundaries between the Franks, Obotrites, and Danes, securing peace in the region.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

===Duchies in the Danish realm===
Between 500 and 1200, Schleswig was an integral part of Denmark, but during the 12th century, [[Abel, King of Denmark|Duke Abel of Schlewig]] came into conflict with his brother [[Eric IV of Denmark|King Eric IV]]. Abel managed to gain autonomy from his brother, making Schleswig an autonomous duchy. Later, Abel had Eric assassinated and seized the throne. Despite this, Schleswig remained an autonomous duchy within the Kingdom, setting the stage for future conflicts.{{cn|date=September 2024}}
Beginning in 1460, both the [[Duchy of Schleswig]] and [[Duchy of Holstein]] were ruled together by the Danish king, who acted as the duke of both regions. Holstein, being a duchy within the [[Holy Roman Empire]], created a situation where the Danish king was sovereign of Denmark but also a duke within the Holy Roman Empire. Both were ruled for several centuries by the kings of Denmark. In 1721, all of Schleswig was united into a single duchy under the king of Denmark, and the great powers of Europe confirmed in an international treaty that all future kings of Denmark should automatically become dukes of Schleswig: consequently, Schleswig would always follow the order of succession that applied in the Kingdom of Denmark.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} 

After the Protestant Reformation, German was established as the language of commerce, administration, education, and clergy in Schleswig despite the population being ethnically Danish. This was because Schleswig was managed by the German Chancellery in Kiel, which was later renamed the Schleswig-Holstein Chancellery in 1806. Therefore, Danes were sent to Kiel for their education instead of Copenhagen, where they received their education in German rather than their native Danish. As a result, Danish students, future administrators, clergy, and educators were taught in German and continued to use the language throughout their professional lives.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 1814, mandatory schooling was instituted, and it was taught in German. This created generations of Danish children who learned German from an early age. Their schooling was conducted in German, they heard sermons in German, and when they grew up, their interactions with the administration and business were conducted in German. Additionally, if Danes didn't learn German, they couldn't communicate with the administration, which often cared little if the citizens were able to understand them. Therefore, if the Danes weren't able to speak German, they were effectively frozen out of any official matters. As a result, a language shift slowly began forming in South Schleswig and gradually spread north, which alarmed Copenhagen. The Danish authorities started taking countermeasures to halt the language shift by banning German in all official matters in Schleswig, which only served to create tensions between Danes and Germans. This language strife significantly contributed to shaping the inhabitants' national sentiments during a time of national unrest in Europe. It is also during this period that we see surname changes, such as from Jørgensen to Jürgensen or Nielsen to Nilsen, in South Schleswig. By the time of the First Schleswig War, one-third of Schleswig and half of South Schleswig spoke German as their first language. By the time of the Second Schleswig War in 1864, half of Schleswig and the vast majority of South Schleswig spoke German as their first language.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===Schleswig-Holstein Question===
{{main|Schleswig–Holstein question}}
In the 19th century, fueled by [[nationalism]], both Danes and Germans claimed Schleswig-Holstein. The Germans wanted both Schleswig and Holstein to separate from Denmark and join the [[German Confederation]], invoking the [[Treaty of Ribe]] stating that the two duchies should stay "Forever Undivided". The Danes, on the other hand, furthered the Eider Policy ([[:da:Ejderpolitikken]]), stating that the natural Danish border was the [[Eider (river)]] as first recognised in the [[Treaty of Heiligen]]. Therefore, the Danes sought to reintegrate Schleswig into the [[Danish Realm|Kingdom of Denmark]], reversing the separation created by King Abel, while also granting Holstein independence to join the German Confederation as a sovereign entity. The resulting long-term political and territorial dispute was known as the [[Schleswig–Holstein question|Schleswig-Holstein Question]]. Holstein was entirely German-speaking, while Schleswig was predominantly Danish-speaking until the late 1700s and early 1800s. During this period, a linguistic shift began in southern Schleswig, transitioning from Danish to German. This meant that Schleswig was linguistically divided with a Danish-speaking north and a German-speaking south.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

In 1848, King [[Frederick VII of Denmark]] declared that he would grant Denmark a liberal constitution and the immediate goal of the Danish national movement was to ensure that this constitution would give rights to all Danes, i.e. not only to those in the Kingdom of Denmark, but also to Danes (and Germans) living in Schleswig. Furthermore, they demanded protection for the Danish language in Schleswig (the dominant language in almost a quarter of Schleswig had changed from Danish to German since the beginning of the 19th century).{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} A liberal constitution for Holstein was not seriously considered in [[Copenhagen]], since it was well known that the political élite of Holstein were more conservative than Copenhagen's. Representatives of German-minded Schleswig-Holsteiners demanded that Schleswig and Holstein be unified and allowed its own constitution and that Schleswig join Holstein as a member of the [[German Confederation]].{{cn|date=September 2024}} These demands were rejected by the Danish government in 1848, and the Germans of Holstein and Southern Schleswig rebelled. 

====First Schleswig War====
This began the [[First Schleswig War]] (1848–51). Against unbelievable odds, Denmark emerged victorious, managing to politically outmaneuver the German alliance by garnering support from the [[British Empire]], the [[Russian Empire]] and the [[Second French Empire]] while defeating the Germans at the [[Battle of Bov|Battles of Bov]], the [[Battle of Dybbøl (1848)|Dybbøl]], the [[Battle of Fredericia|Fredericia]] and [[Battle of Isted|Isted]]. However, under pressure from the [[Great Power]]s, led by [[Alexander II of Russia|Tsar Alexander II]], who had forced [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]] and [[Austrian Empire|Austria]] out of Denmark,{{cn|date=September 2024}} the Danes were not permitted to reintegrate Schleswig into Denmark. Alexander thereby sought to preserve the existing European order, per the principles established by the [[Concert of Europe]]. This led to the signing of the [[London Protocol (1852)|1852 London Protocol]], which failed to provide a solution to the issue and merely upheld the status quo.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

====Second Schleswig War====
In 1863, conflict broke out again when Frederick VII died without legitimate issue. According to the [[order of succession]] of Denmark and Schleswig, the crowns of both Denmark and Schleswig would pass to Duke Christian of [[House of Glücksburg|Glücksburg]], who became [[Christian IX of Denmark|Christian IX]]. The transmission of the duchy of Holstein to the head of the (German-oriented) branch of the Danish royal family, the [[House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg|House of Augustenborg]], was more controversial. The separation of the two duchies was challenged by the Augustenborg heir, who claimed, as in 1848, to be the rightful heir of both Schleswig and Holstein. A common constitution for Denmark and Schleswig was promulgated in November 1863, which was a breach of the 1852 London Protocol. This left Denmark politically isolated and led to the [[Second Schleswig War]], with Prussia and Austria invading once again. This was the [[Second War of Schleswig]]. Denmark achieved some initial victories at the [[Battle of Mysunde (1864)|Battles of Mysunde]], and [[Battle of Sankelmark|Sankelmark]], but these successes were short-lived. The Austrians defeated the Danes at the [[Battle for Königshügel|Königshügel]] and [[Battle of Vejle|Vejle]]. However, it was the Prussians who decided the war by decisively winning the pivotal [[Battle of Dybbøl|Battles of Dybbøl]] and [[Battle of Als|Als]].{{cn|date=September 2024}} 

British attempts to mediate in the [[London Conference of 1864]] failed. With the peace [[Treaty of Vienna (1864)]], Denmark was forced to cede Schleswig, Holstein, and [[Saxe-Lauenburg|Lauenburg]] to Prussia and Austria. Prussia wished to annex the conquered territories, but Austria insisted they be held as [[Condominium (international law)|condominiums]]. This disagreement led to the 1865 [[Gastein Convention]], which, despite its {{lang|la|[[casus belli]]}} being the defence of the German-speaking Schleswig-Holsteiners' wish to remain unified, granted Schleswig and Lauenburg to Prussia and Holstein to Austria. However, this situation did not last long.

===Austro-Prussian War and Province of Prussia===
In 1866, the [[Austro-Prussian War]] broke out, in which Prussia quickly defeated Austria and its allies. In the 1866 [[Peace of Prague (1866)|Peace of Prague]], Prussia gained Holstein in addition to Schleswig and Lauenburg. Contrary to the hopes of German Schleswig-Holsteiners, the area did not gain its independence, but was annexed to Prussia, becoming the [[Province of Schleswig-Holstein]] in 1868; Lauenburg remained a separate entity until it was incorporated as {{lang|de|[[Kreis Herzogtum Lauenburg]]}} in 1876. 

The Peace of Prague also led to the dissolution of the loose ([[confederal]]) Austrian-led [[German Confederation]] and the establishment of the far more integrated ([[Federalism|federal]]) Prussian-led [[North German Confederation]], of which Schleswig-Holstein was now part as a Prussian Province; the North German Confederation became the [[German Empire]] in 1871.

Section five of the Peace of Prague had also stipulated that the people of Northern Schleswig would be consulted in a [[referendum]] on whether to remain under Prussian rule or return to Danish rule. This condition, however, was never fulfilled by Prussia. During the decades of Prussian rule within the [[German Empire]], authorities attempted a [[Germanisation]] policy in the northern part of Schleswig, which remained predominantly Danish. The period also meant increased industrialisation of Schleswig-Holstein and the use of Kiel and Flensburg as important [[Imperial German Navy]] locations. The northernmost part and the west coast of the province saw a wave of emigration to America, while some Danes of North Schleswig emigrated to Denmark.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===Plebiscite in 1920===
[[File:Abstimmung-schleswig-1920.png|thumb|right|275px|Results of the 1920 plebiscites in North and Central Schleswig]]
{{main|1920 Schleswig plebiscites}}
After the defeat of Germany in [[World War I]], the Allied powers arranged [[Schleswig Plebiscites|a plebiscite in northern and central Schleswig]]. The plebiscite was conducted under the auspices of an international commission, which designated two voting zones to cover the northern and south-central parts of Schleswig. Steps were taken to also create a third zone covering a southern area, but zone III was cancelled again and never voted, as the Danish government asked the commission not to expand the plebiscite to this area.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In zone I covering Northern Schleswig (10 February 1920), 75% voted for [[Political union|reunification]] with Denmark and 25% voted for Germany. In zone II covering central Schleswig (14 March 1920), the results were reversed; 80% voted for Germany and just 20% for Denmark. Only minor areas on the island of [[Föhr]] showed a Danish majority, and the rest of the Danish vote was primarily in the town of Flensburg.<ref>Schwedler, Frank: Historischer Atlas Schleswig-Holstein 1867 bis 1945, Wachholtz Verlag, Neumünster</ref> On 15 June 1920, Northern Schleswig officially returned to Danish rule. The Danish/German border was the only one of the borders imposed on Germany by the [[Treaty of Versailles]] after World War I that was never challenged by [[Adolf Hitler]].

In 1937, the Nazis passed the so-called [[Greater Hamburg Act]] ({{lang|de|Groß-Hamburg-Gesetz}}), where the nearby Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg was expanded, to encompass towns that had formerly belonged to the Prussian [[province of Schleswig-Holstein]]. To compensate Prussia for these losses (and partly because Hitler had a personal dislike for [[Lübeck]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/citybreaks/5428909/Lubeck-The-town-that-said-no-to-Hitler.html |title=Lübeck: The town that said no to Hitler |first=Simon |last=Heffer |date=2 June 2009 |newspaper=telegraph.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605161538/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/citybreaks/5428909/Lubeck-The-town-that-said-no-to-Hitler.html |access-date=28 June 2010 |archive-date=5 June 2009 }}</ref>), the 711-year-long independence of the Hansestadt Lübeck came to an end, and almost all its territory was incorporated into Schleswig-Holstein, along with the [[Free State of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]] exclave centred on [[Eutin]] (for historical reasons known as {{lang|de|[[Principality of Lübeck|Landesteil Lübeck]]}}).

===State of Federal Germany===
After [[World War II]], the Prussian province of Schleswig-Holstein came under [[British occupation zone in Germany|British occupation]]. On 23 August 1946, the military government abolished the province and reconstituted it as a separate ''Land''.<ref>Ordinance No. 46, {{cite web |url= http://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/que/normal/que1167.pdf |title=''Abolition of the Provinces in the British Zone of the Former State of Prussia and Reconstitution thereof as Separate Länder'' |access-date= 23 August 2006 |archive-date=11 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011113513/http://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/que/normal/que1167.pdf |url-status=live }}&nbsp;{{small|(218&nbsp;KB)}}</ref>

On 9 September 1946, the British and Soviets offered Denmark South Schleswig, in the {{ill|Septembernote|de}}. In this note, they gave Denmark carte blanche on how to deal with the German-speaking South Schleswigers, whether to integrate them into the Danish state or to forcibly expel them from South Schleswig, as was [[Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–1950)|being done to Germans in Eastern Europe]]. Denmark's then Prime Minister, [[Venstre (Denmark)|the Liberal Party's]] [[Knud Kristensen]], enthusiastically accepted the offer of South Schleswig reunification with Denmark. A survey showed that 75% of the Danish population supported the incorporation, 500,000 signatures had been collected in support of it, and the Danish South Schleswig Association had sent the government a formal request for incorporation. However, the dominating [[Danish Social Liberal Party|Social Liberal Party]] feared that Denmark might again face destructive wars like the two Schleswig Wars once Germany recovered from World War II. Given that the Germans had conquered Denmark in six hours during the [[German invasion of Denmark (1940)|German invasion of Denmark]], they believed Denmark would not stand a chance in such a scenario. Therefore, they pressured the Prime Minister to call for [[1947 Danish Folketing election|new elections]], where the [[Venstre (Denmark)|Liberal Party]] did not secure enough votes to form a government. The [[Social Democrats (Denmark)|Social Democrats]] won the election with a minority government and could not gather a strong enough mandate for the incorporation of South Schleswig. This outcome created outrage within the Danish population and was considered a scandal.{{cn|date=September 2024}} 

Due to the [[Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–1950)|forced migrations of Germans between 1944 and 1950]], Schleswig-Holstein [[Refugees in Schleswig-Holstein after the Second World War|took in almost a million refugees]] after the war, increasing its population by 33%.<ref>[http://www.hdg.de/lemo/html/Nachkriegsjahre/DasEndeAlsAnfang/fluchtUndVertreibung.html Flucht und Vertreibung] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228004729/http://www.hdg.de/lemo/html/Nachkriegsjahre/DasEndeAlsAnfang/fluchtUndVertreibung.html |date=28 December 2010 }} at [[Haus der Geschichte]] {{in lang|de}}</ref> 
A pro-Danish political movement arose in Schleswig, with transfer of the area to Denmark as an ultimate goal. This was supported neither by the British occupation administration nor the Danish government.{{cn|date=September 2024}} In 1955, the German and Danish governments issued the [[Bonn-Copenhagen declarations|Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations]] confirming the rights of the ethnic minorities on both sides of the border.<ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein-2">{{Cite web |title=Schleswig-Holstein – Urkunde von Ripen |url=http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/Fachinhalte/L/landeskundegeschichte/Chronologie_Augenblicke_Landesgeschichte/1460_VertragRipen.html?nn=80cfdf51-1a24-4512-a0d7-d9cd524787ae |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein |language=de |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425223630/https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/Fachinhalte/L/landeskundegeschichte/Chronologie_Augenblicke_Landesgeschichte/1460_VertragRipen.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Conditions between the nationalities have since been stable and generally respectful.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

==Geography==
{{See also|List of places in Schleswig-Holstein}}
[[File:Schleswig-Holstein.png|thumb|left|Topographic map of Schleswig-Holstein]]

Schleswig-Holstein lies on the base of [[Jutland Peninsula]] between the [[North Sea]] and the [[Baltic Sea]]. Strictly speaking, "Schleswig" refers to the German Southern Schleswig ({{langx|de|link=no|Südschleswig}} or ''Landesteil Schleswig'', {{langx|da|Sydslesvig}}), whereas Northern Schleswig is in Denmark ([[South Jutland County]], [[Region of Southern Denmark]]). The state of Schleswig-Holstein further consists of Holstein, as well as [[Lauenburg]] and the formerly independent city of Lübeck.

Schleswig-Holstein borders Denmark ([[Region of Southern Denmark|Southern Denmark]]) to the north, the North Sea to the west, the Baltic Sea to the east, and the German states of [[Lower Saxony]], Hamburg, and [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] to the south. In the western part of the state, the lowlands have virtually no hills. The [[North Frisian Islands]], as well as almost all of Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast, form the [[Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park]] (''Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer''), which is the largest national park in Central Europe.

The Baltic Sea coast in the east of Schleswig-Holstein is marked by bays, [[fjord]]s, and cliff lines. Rolling hills (the highest elevation is the Bungsberg at {{convert|168|m|disp=or}}) and many lakes are found, especially in the eastern part of Holstein called the [[Holstein Switzerland]] and the former Duchy of Lauenburg (''Herzogtum Lauenburg''). The longest river besides the [[Elbe]] is the [[Eider (river)|Eider]]. Schleswig-Holstein has the lowest quota of forest covered area, it is only '''11.0%''' (national average 32.0%), which is even lower than in the city-states of [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen (state)|Bremen]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bundeswaldinventur|url=https://bwi.info/|language=de|access-date=9 April 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204023302/https://bwi.info/|url-status=live}}</ref>



The German Islands of [[Sylt]], [[Föhr]], [[Pellworm]], [[Amrum]], [[Heligoland]] and [[Fehmarn]] are part of Schleswig-Holstein, with the latter being the largest and the only Island of Schleswig-Holstein located on the east coast.<ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein-3">{{Cite web |title=Zahlen zu Natur & Umwelt |url=http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/LandLeute/ZahlenFakten/_documents/naturUmwelt.html?nn=eb621c67-24ca-4717-ab20-a709981b72a9 |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein |language=de |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302120154/https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/LandLeute/ZahlenFakten/_documents/naturUmwelt.html?nn=eb621c67-24ca-4717-ab20-a709981b72a9 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Heligoland]] is Germany's only high-sea island.<ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein-3" /><gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Sylt02 ellenbogen.jpg|Geest (Island Sylt)
File:Eckernförde Strand Brücke.jpg|Eckernförde Bay
File:Nationalpark - Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer.jpg|Wadden Sea
File:Ausblick Parnaßturm - panoramio.jpg|Schleswig-Holsteinische Schweiz
</gallery>

==Administration==
[[File:Schleswig-Holstein Kreise (nummeriert).svg|thumb|Districts of Schleswig-Holstein|300x300px]]

=== Administrative Division ===
Schleswig-Holstein is divided into 11 ''[[Districts of Germany|Kreise]]'' (Districts) and four ''[[Kreisfreie Städte]]'' (Urban Districts).
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!
!Kreis
![[Vehicle registration plates of Germany|License Plate]]
!Area
|-
|1
|[[File:DEU Kreis Dithmarschen COA.svg|left|frameless|29x29px|Coat of Arms of [[Dithmarschen]]]] [[Dithmarschen]]
|HEI, MED<ref name="kba.de">{{Cite web |title=Liste der Kfz-Kennzeichen und auslaufenden Kennzeichen in Deutschland |url=https://www.kba.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Presse/kfz_kennzeichenliste_faltblatt.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=9 |url-status=live |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=kba.de |language=de |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330200221/https://www.kba.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Presse/kfz_kennzeichenliste_faltblatt.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=9 }}</ref>
|1.428,17&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein">{{Cite web |title=Schleswig-Holstein – Zahlen zur Bevölkerung |url=http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/LandLeute/ZahlenFakten/_documents/bevoelkerung.html?nn=eb621c67-24ca-4717-ab20-a709981b72a9 |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein |language=de |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417161604/https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/LandLeute/ZahlenFakten/_documents/bevoelkerung.html?nn=eb621c67-24ca-4717-ab20-a709981b72a9 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2
|[[File:Wappen Herzogtum Lauenburg alt.svg|left|frameless|43x43px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of the [[Herzogtum Lauenburg|Duchy of Lauenburg]]]] [[Herzogtum Lauenburg]]
|RZ<ref name="kba.de" />
|1.263,07&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|3
|[[File:Wappen Kreis Nordfriesland.svg|left|frameless|29x29px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Nordfriesland (district)|Northern Frisia]]]] [[Nordfriesland (district)|Nordfriesland]]
|NF<ref name="kba.de" />
|2.083,56&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|4
|[[File:DEU Kreis Ostholstein COA.svg|left|frameless|29x29px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Ostholstein]]]] [[Ostholstein]]
|OH<ref name="kba.de" />
|1.393,02&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|5
|[[File:DEU Kreis Pinneberg COA.svg|left|frameless|27x27px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Pinneberg (district)|Pinneberg]]]] [[Pinneberg (district)|Pinneberg]]
|PI<ref name="kba.de" />
|664,25&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|6
|[[File:Wappen Kreis Ploen.svg|left|frameless|27x27px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Plön (district)|Plön]]]] [[Plön (district)|Plön]]
|PLÖ<ref name="kba.de" />
|1.083,56&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|7
|[[File:Wappen Kreis Rendsburg-Eckernfoerde.svg|left|frameless|27x27px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Rendsburg-Eckernförde]]]] [[Rendsburg-Eckernförde]]
|RD, ECK<ref name="kba.de" />
|2.189,79&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|8
|[[File:Wappen Kreis Schleswig-Flensburg.svg|left|frameless|27x27px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Schleswig-Flensburg]]]] [[Schleswig-Flensburg]]
|SL<ref name="kba.de" />
|2.071,28&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|9
|[[File:Coa Kreis Segeberg.svg|left|frameless|30x30px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Segeberg]]]] [[Segeberg]]
|SE<ref name="kba.de" />
|1.344,47&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|10
|[[File:DEU Kreis Steinburg COA.svg|left|frameless|25x25px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Steinburg]]]] [[Steinburg]]
|IZ<ref name="kba.de" />
|1.055,70&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|11
|[[File:DEU Kreis Stormarn COA.svg|left|frameless|28x28px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Stormarn (district)|Stormarn]]]] [[Stormarn (district)|Stormarn]]
|OD<ref name="kba.de" />
|766,22&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|Urban District
|[[File:DEU Kiel (Alt.) COA.svg|left|frameless|26x26px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Kiel]]]] [[Kiel]]
|KI<ref name="kba.de" />
|118,65&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|Urban District
|[[File:DEU Luebeck COA.svg|left|frameless|29x29px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Lübeck]]]] [[Lübeck]]
|HL<ref name="kba.de" />
|214,19&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|Urban District
|[[File:Wappen neumuenster.svg|left|frameless|33x33px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Neumünster]]]] [[Neumünster]]
|NMS<ref name="kba.de" />
|71,66&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|-
|Urban District
|[[File:DEU Flensburg COA.svg|left|frameless|29x29px|[[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Flensburg]]]] [[Flensburg]]
|FL<ref name="kba.de" />
|56,73&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein" />
|}

=== Legislature ===
{{See also|Politics of Schleswig-Holstein}}Schleswig-Holstein has its own [[Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein|parliament]] and government, which are located in the state capital city of Kiel.<ref name="PoliticsSH">{{cite web |title=Responsibilities of the Government |url=http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/Portal/EN/LandGovernment/TheResponsibilities/Responsibilities_node.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230065923/http://schleswig-holstein.de/Portal/EN/LandGovernment/TheResponsibilities/Responsibilities_node.html |archive-date=30 December 2010 |access-date=14 April 2011 |publisher=State of Schleswig-Holstein}}</ref>

===Executive Branch===
{{See also|Second Günther cabinet}}

The [[List of Ministers-President of Schleswig-Holstein|Minister-President]] of Schleswig-Holstein is elected by the [[Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein]].<ref name="PoliticsSH" />
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-size:90%"
!Portfolio
! colspan="2" |Minister
! colspan="2" |Party
!Took office
!Left office
!State secretaries
|-
|[[List of Ministers-President of Schleswig-Holstein|Minister-President]]
|[[File:Daniel_Günther_(2017).jpg|center|frameless|149x149px]]
|[[Daniel Günther]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1973|07|24}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|
|-
|Deputy Minister-President
| rowspan="2" |[[File:18-08-27-Åland-Aminata-Touré-RalfR- RRK7312.jpg|151x151px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Aminata Touré (German politician)|Aminata Touré]]<br />{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|11|15}}}}
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Alliance 90/The Greens|GRÜNE]]
|1 August 2024
|Incumbent
|
|-
|Minister for Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Seniors, Integration and Equality
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Johannes Albig}}
|- style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Deputy Minister-President
----Minister for Finance
|[[File:1454-ri-102-Gruene_Monika_Heinold_(cropped).jpg|center|133x133px]]
|[[Monika Heinold]]<br />{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|12|30}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}" |
|[[Alliance 90/The Greens|GRÜNE]]
|29 June 2022
|1 August 2024
|{{smalldiv|*Silke Torp
*Oliver Rabe}}
|-
|Minister for Finance
|
|[[Silke Schneider]]<br />{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1967|09|02}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}" |
|[[Alliance 90/The Greens|GRÜNE]]
|1 August 2024
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Silke Torp
*Oliver Rabe}}
|- style="height:75px"
|Minister for Justice and Health
|
|[[Kerstin von der Decken]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1968|11|22}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Otto Carstens
*Oliver Grundei}}
|- style="height:75px"
|Minister for Education, Training, Science, Research and Culture
|[[File:Karin Prien-2024-msu-6025-.jpg|center|frameless|150x150px]]
|[[Karin Prien]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1965|06|26}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Dorit Stenke
*Guido Wendt}}
|-
|Minister for Interior, Communities, Housing and Sport
|[[File:Portrait Dr. Sabine Sütterlin-Waack.jpg|center|149x149px]]
|[[Sabine Sütterlin-Waack]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|02|15}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Jörg Sibbel
*Magdalena Finke}}
|- style="height:75px"
|Minister for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature
|
|[[Tobias Goldschmidt]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1981|09|16}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}" |
|[[Alliance 90/The Greens|GRÜNE]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Katja Günther
*Joschka Knuth}}
|- style="height:75px"
|Minister for Economics, Transport, Labour, Technology, and Tourism
|[[File:Claus_Ruhe_Madsen_Nov_2021.jpg|140x140px]]
|[[Claus Ruhe Madsen]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1972|08|27}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Independent politician|CDU]]{{small|(Independent until May 2023, CDU nomination)}}
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*[[Tobias von der Heide]]
*Julia Carstens}}
|- style="height:75px"
|Minister for Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe and Consumer Protection
|
|[[Werner Schwarz (German Politician)|Werner Schwarz]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1960|04|10}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Anne Benett-Sturies}}
|- style="height:75px"
|Chief of the State Chancellery
|
|[[Dirk Schrödter]]<br/>{{small|born {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1978|10|17}}}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}" |
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|29 June 2022
|Incumbent
|{{smalldiv|*Johannes Callsen
*Sandra Gerken}}
|}

==== Recent elections ====
{{See also|2022 Schleswig-Holstein state election}}

State elections were held on [[2022 Schleswig-Holstein state election|8 May 2022]]. The current government is a coalition of the [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU) and [[Alliance 90/The Greens|The Greens]], led by [[List of ministers-president of Schleswig-Holstein|Minister-President]] [[Daniel Günther]].

==== List of minister-presidents of Schleswig-Holstein ====
{{main|List of minister-presidents of Schleswig-Holstein}}

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|13=1960|14=2,309,409|15=1970|16=2,510,608|17=1980|18=2,611,285|19=1990|20=2,626,127|21=2001|22=2,804,249|23=2011|24=2,800,119|25=2022|26=2,927,542|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.destatis.de/DE/Home/_inhalt.html| title = Statistisches Bundesamt| access-date = 18 July 2019| archive-date = 18 July 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190718142701/https://www.destatis.de/DE/Home/_inhalt.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Germany: States and Major Cities|url=https://citypopulation.de/en/germany/cities/}}</ref>}}

Schleswig-Holstein has an aging population. Since 1972, there has been a decrease in the natural rate of population change. In 2016, the [[total fertility rate]] reached 1.61, the highest value in 40 years (the average value being 1.4). In 2016, there were 25,420 births and 33,879 deaths, resulting in a natural decrease of −8,459. 
{|class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
!Fluctuations 1970–2015
|-
|
{|class="wikitable"
|Year
|Births{{Cref|d}}
|Deaths
|Influx
|Outflux
|Balance
|TFR
|-
|1970
| 35,171 
| 32,990
| 100,586 
| 76,572
| 24,014
| 
|-
|1975
|24,282 
|32,993  
|75,949 
|69,169 
|– 1,931
| 
|-
|1980
| 24,545
| 31,278
| 80,137
| 61,123
| +12,281 
| 
|-
|1985
| 23,099
| 31,330
| 65,537
| 56 951
| +355
| 
|-
|1990
| 29,046
| 31,461
| 153,275
| 119,339
| +31,521
| 1,47
|-
|1995
| 27,430
| 31,288  
| 114,799 
| 93,872 
| +17,069
| 1,33
|-
|2000
| 26,920
| 29,821
| 79,416
| 64,029
| +12,486
| 1,43
|-
|2005
| 23,027
| 29,669
| 74,534
| 63,786
| +4,106
| 1,37
|-
|2010
| 22,578
| 31,201
| 76,032
| 65,209
| +2,200
| 1,45
|-
|2015
| 23,549
| 33,663
| 111,661
| 74,317
| +27,230
| 1,51
|}
|}

===Vital statistics===
*Births from January–September 2016 = {{increase}} 19,138<ref>{{cite web |title=Bevölkerung |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung |website=Statistische Ämter des Bundes Und der Länder |access-date=16 June 2018 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015609/https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Births from January–September 2017 = {{decrease}} 19,086
*Deaths from January–September 2016 = {{decreasepositive}} 25,153
*Deaths from January–September 2017 = {{increasenegative}} 25,832
*Natural growth from January–September 2016 = {{increase}} -6,015
*Natural growth from January–September 2017 = {{decrease}} -6,746

===Religion===
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Schleswig-Holstein – 2011
|left1=religion
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Protestant Church in Germany|EKD Protestants]]|DodgerBlue|53}}
{{bar percent|[[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholics]]|DarkOrchid|6}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslims]]|Green|3}}
{{bar percent|Other or [[Irreligion|none]]|SlateGray|38}}
}}
The region has been strongly [[Protestantism in Germany|Protestant]] since the time of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. It is proportionally the most Protestant of the sixteen modern states. In 2018, members of the [[Protestant Church in Germany]] made up 44.6% of the population, while members of the [[Catholicism in Germany|Catholic Church]] comprised 6.1%.

49.3% either adhere to other religions or disclaim any practising religious identity.<ref>[https://www.ekd.de/ekd_de/ds_doc/Ber_Kirchenmitglieder_2018.pdf Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland – Kirchemitgliederzahlen Stand 31. Dezember 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219200647/https://www.ekd.de/ekd_de/ds_doc/Ber_Kirchenmitglieder_2018.pdf |date=19 February 2020 }} EKD, January 2020</ref>

===Foreigners===
Largest groups of foreign residents by 31 December 2023 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www-genesis.destatis.de/genesis//online?operation=table&code=12521-0021&bypass=true&levelindex=0&levelid=1716497121275#abreadcrumb|date=24 May 2024|title=Largest groups of foreign residents by 31 December 2023}} German Statistical Office. 
</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Significant foreign resident populations
|-
! Nationality || Population (31 December 2022) || Population (31 December 2023) 
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}||38,785 || 38,970
|-
|{{flag|Syria}}||32,470|| 38,610
|-
|{{flag|Turkey}}||28,395||30,845
|-
|{{flag|Poland}}||29,785||29,795
|-
|{{flag|Afghanistan}}||18,285||22,040
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}||20,255||20,590
|-
|{{flag|Iraq}}||12,395||13,805
|-
|{{flag|Bulgaria}}||10,470||11,215
|-
|{{flag|Russia}}||8,240||9,290
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}}||7,365||6,430
|-
|{{flag|Italy}}||5,875||6,210
|-
|}

==Culture==
{{more citations needed|section|date=August 2022}}

{{Further|Schleswig-Holstein Gourmet Festival}}
Schleswig-Holstein combines Danish, Frisian, and German aspects of culture. The castles and manors in the countryside are the best example for this tradition; some dishes like [[Rødgrød]] ({{langx|de|link=no|Rote Grütze}}, literal English "red [[grits]]" or "red [[groats]]") are also shared, as well as surnames such as [[Hansen (surname)|Hansen]].

The most important festivals are the Kiel Week, [[Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival]], an annual classic music festival all over the state, and the [[Lübeck Nordic Film Days]], an annual film festival for movies from Scandinavian countries, held in Lübeck. The [[Kiel Week]] is an annual event, except for 2020 and 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID19-Pandemic]].<ref name="NDR-2">{{Cite web |last=NDR |title=Kieler Woche soll wieder groß gefeiert werden |url=https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Kieler-Woche-soll-wieder-gross-gefeiert-werden,kiwo328.html |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=www.ndr.de |language=de |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417193436/https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Kieler-Woche-soll-wieder-gross-gefeiert-werden,kiwo328.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It took place again in June 2022.<ref name="NDR-2" /> The annual [[Wacken Open Air]] festival is considered to be the largest heavy metal rock festival in the world.<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Kiel-Week-2019-msu-7651.jpg|Kiel Week 2019
File:Nightwish - Wacken Open Air 2018-1653.jpg|Wacken Open Air Festival
File:Kiel-Week-2019-msu-7722.jpg|Kiel Week 2019
</gallery>

===Symbols===
The [[coat of arms]] shows the symbols of the two duchies united in Schleswig-Holstein, i.e., the two lions for Schleswig and the leaf of nettle for Holstein. Supposedly, [[Otto von Bismarck]] decreed that the two lions were to face the nettle because of the discomfort to their bottoms, which would have resulted if the lions faced away from it.

Government agencies of Schleswig-Holstein use a logo showing a stylized version of the Schleswig Lions and the Holstein nettle combined with the abbreviation of Schleswig-Holstein, "SH". Written either below or to the right of the lion and the nettle is "Schleswig-Holstein" below which either the Name of the agency using the logo is shown or the motto "Der echte Norden" (Germany's true North).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landesmarke Staatskanzlei – Marken-Manual SH |url=https://www.marken-manual.sh/arbeiten-mit-der-marke/landesmarke-staatskanzlei |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=www.marken-manual.sh |archive-date=15 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615102552/https://www.marken-manual.sh/arbeiten-mit-der-marke/landesmarke-staatskanzlei |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Schleswig-Holstein.svg|thumb|Schleswig-Holstein logo|250x250px]]
The motto of Schleswig-Holstein is ''"Up ewich ungedeelt"'' ([[Middle Low German]]: "Forever undivided", modern High German: ''"Auf ewig ungeteilt"''). It goes back to the [[Treaty of Ribe]] (Danish: Ribe Håndfæstning German: Handfeste von Ripen) in 1460. Ripen ([[Ribe]]) is a historical small town in [[Northern Schleswig]], nowadays Denmark.<ref name="Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein-2" />

The anthem from 1844 is called "[[Wanke nicht, mein Vaterland]]" ("Don't falter, my fatherland"), but it is usually referred to with its first line ''"Schleswig-Holstein meerumschlungen"'' (i.e., "Schleswig-Holstein embraced by the seas") or "Schleswig-Holstein-Lied" (Schleswig-Holstein song). The old city of Lübeck is a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].

===Food and drink===

{{Main|Schleswig-Holstein cuisine}}

The distinctive point of the cuisine is a combination of sweetness with a taste contrast, like sour or salty. These combinations are also described as "broken sweetness," which is especially present in sweet-sour dishes.

Typical dishes are:

* [[Birnen, Bohnen und Speck]] consist of pears, [[Phaseolus vulgaris|beans]], [[Summer savory|savory]], [[parsley]], [[bacon]] and potatoes
* Holsteiner Sauerfleisch is sour aspic
* Holsteiner Katenschinken is ham with a traditional cold-smoking method
* Different uses of [[Crangon crangon|Nordseekrabben]] in soup, porrenpann, with toast or scrambled eggs
* Famous is smoked [[European sprat|Kieler Sprotten]]
* Other fish also is popular: [[Flatfish]] or [[Herring]]
* [[kale|Grünkohl]]. In Schleswig-Holstein, there is a real cult around this vegetable. In the autumn and winter months, groups of friends or colleagues go on a cabbage ride and choose their cabbage king, often combined with the typical regional sports of Boßeln and Klootschießen. The most popular dish is [[kale|Grünkohl]] with Mettenden, but also other combinations like Grünkohl with [[Kassler]] and 'Schweinebacke'. The [[Dithmarschen|Dithmarsch marshland]] is particularly suitable for growing cabbage. The soils are fertile, so that a good yield can still be achieved even in bad years. Due to the constant sea wind, there are far fewer pests in the area.
* [[Lübecker Marzipan]] is a sweet made from ground almonds, sugar, and added flavorings
* [[Liquorice (confectionery)|Lakritz]] confection flavored with extract of the roots of the liquorice plant (sweet, salt, salmiak, and choco)
* Lübecker Rotspon, [[Bordeaux wine]], which is delivered in oak barrels to Lübeck to be aged
* Flensburger Rum-Verschnitt, brown mix of imported rum, water, and neutral alcohol (typically 40–42%)

===Languages===
The official language of Schleswig-Holstein is German.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gesetze-rechtsprechung.sh.juris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VwG+SH+%C2%A7+82a&psml=bsshoprod.psml&max=true| title = §&nbsp; 82a LVwG SH| access-date = 4 May 2020| archive-date = 7 December 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191207032350/http://www.gesetze-rechtsprechung.sh.juris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VwG+SH+%C2%A7+82a&psml=bsshoprod.psml&max=true| url-status = live}}</ref> In addition, [[Low German]], [[Danish language|Danish]] and [[North Frisian language|North Frisian]] are recognized minority languages.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gesetze-rechtsprechung.sh.juris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VwG+SH+%C2%A7+82b&psml=bsshoprod.psml&max=true| title = §&nbsp; 82b LVwG SH| access-date = 4 May 2020| archive-date = 22 October 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201022122816/http://www.gesetze-rechtsprechung.sh.juris.de/jportal/?quelle=jlink&query=VwG+SH+%C2%A7+82b&psml=bsshoprod.psml&max=true| url-status = live}}</ref> Historically, Low German (in Holstein and [[Southern Schleswig]]), Danish (in Schleswig), and North Frisian (in Western Schleswig) were widely spoken in Schleswig-Holstein. During the language change in the 19th century some Danish and North Frisian dialects in Southern Schleswig were replaced by [[Standard German]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bock|first1=Karl N.|title=Mittelniederdeutsch und heutiges Plattdeutsch im ehemaligen Dänischen Herzogtum Schleswig. Studien zur Beleuchtung des Sprachwechsels in Angeln und Mittelschleswig|date=1948|publisher=Det Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Hinrichsen|first1=Manfred|title=Die Entwicklung der Sprachverhältnisse im Landesteil Schleswig|date=1984|publisher=Wachholtz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nordfriiskinstituut.de/index.html |title=Nordfriisk Instituut |access-date=13 August 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109141350/http://www.nordfriiskinstituut.de/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Low German is still used in many parts of the state. [[Missingsch]], a Low German dialect with heavy [[High German]] (Standard German) influence, is commonly spoken informally throughout the state, while a [[mixed language]] [[Petuh]] (mixture of High German and [[Danish language|Danish]]) is used in and around [[Flensburg]]. Danish is used by the [[Danish minority of Southern Schleswig|Danish minority]] in Southern Schleswig, and North Frisian is spoken by the [[North Frisians]] of the [[North Sea Coast]] and the Northern Frisian Islands in Southern Schleswig. The North Frisian dialect called [[Heligolandic dialect|Heligolandic]] (''Halunder'') is spoken on the island of [[Heligoland]].

As is the case throughout Germany, High German, introduced in the 16th century, has come to steadily replace local dialects for official purposes, and is today the predominant language of media, law, and legislature. It is spoken by virtually all inhabitants in formal situations. Since the end of World War II and the widespread adoption of TV, radio, and other mass media, it has gradually come to supplant local dialects in urban areas as well.

==Economy==
[[File:13-09-29-nordfriesisches-wattenmeer-RalfR-05.jpg|thumb|280px|Schleswig-Holstein's islands, beaches, and cities are popular tourist attractions. Shown here is the Isle of [[Sylt]].]]

The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the state was 62.7 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 1.9% of German economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 30,400 euros or 101% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 95% of the EU average. The GDP per capita was the lowest of all states in West Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018|website=Eurostat|access-date=7 March 2020|archive-date=17 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417095003/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Schleswig-Holstein had an export surplus for the first time since 1989: export 22.6 billion euros/ import 20.8 billion euros.

===Energy===
Schleswig-Holstein is a leader in the [[Renewable energy in Germany|country's]] growing [[renewable energy]] industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/northern-germany-spearheads-energy-transition/a-17144616|title=Northern Germany spearheads energy transition|author=Gero Rueter|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=10 September 2013|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923225258/http://www.dw.com/en/northern-germany-spearheads-energy-transition/a-17144616|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Schleswig-Holstein became the first [[states of Germany|German state]] to cover 100% of its electric power demand with renewable energy sources (chiefly [[wind power|wind]] 70%, [[solar power|solar]] 3.8%, and biomass 8.3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwatch-europe.org/node/285|title=Highlight of the Month: The First German State Achieves 100% Renewable Energy|author=Lisa Waselikowski|publisher=Worldwatch Institute|date=8 January 2015|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403044600/http://www.worldwatch-europe.org/node/285/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2023, according to Schleswig-Holstein Netz, renewable energy sources were providing 204% of Schleswig-Holstein's electricity demand (the 104% surplus are exports).<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.shz.de/deutschland-welt/schleswig-holstein/artikel/so-viel-gruenen-strom-hat-schleswig-holstein-2023-exportiert-46511004 |title= So viel grünen Strom hat Schleswig-Holstein 2023 exportiert|language=de|page= |publisher=[[Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag]]|date= 2024-02-22 |access-date= 2024-05-27}}</ref>

The largest German oil field [[Mittelplate]] is located in the North Sea off the [[Dithmarschen|Dithmarsch]] coast and connected with a refinery in [[Hemmingstedt]] and chemical plants in [[Brunsbüttel]] via pipeline. It produces ca. 1.4 million tonnes of oil annually.

==== Nuclear power ====
There were three nuclear power plants in Schleswig-Holstein: [[Krümmel Nuclear Power Plant|Krümmel]], [[Brunsbüttel Nuclear Power Plant|Brunsbüttel]], and [[Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant|Brokdorf]]. The last operating plant in Schleswig-Holstein, the [[Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant|Brokdorf-plant]] was shut down on new-years eve 2021.<ref name="NDR">{{Cite web|last=NDR|title=AKW Brokdorf ist in der Silvesternacht vom Netz gegangen|url=https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Stromproduktion-im-AKW-Brokdorf-ist-vorbei,akw376.html|access-date=1 January 2022|website=www.ndr.de|language=de|archive-date=1 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101171840/https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Stromproduktion-im-AKW-Brokdorf-ist-vorbei,akw376.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There is also a nuclear research center known "Helmholtz-Zentrum [[Geesthacht]]" (rebranded as Hereon) with 2 research reactors, located right next to the Krümmel plant.<ref name="Reactors">{{cite web|title=Demolition of research reactor FRG-1|url=http://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Abbau-FRG-1-Geesthacht-Unterlagen-oeffentlich,forschungsreaktor104.html|language=de|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223541/http://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Abbau-FRG-1-Geesthacht-Unterlagen-oeffentlich,forschungsreaktor104.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 1990s, ten more cases of leukemia among children than were expected were identified in [[Elbmarsch]], near the Krümmel plant. Anti-nuclear activists believed it was due to the nuclear plant, which led to several investigations. The reported discovery of small spherical beads of nuclear material in the area led to further concern, as well as the presence of minute amounts of plutonium in the [[Elbe]]. The origins of the nuclear material were disputed, with one report determining them not to be that of the Krümmel plant. Another report claimed that they may have come from an undisclosed fire in 1986, however, this theory has been questioned as it would have required a substantial government cover-up. The Chernobyl disaster has also been suggested as a source, though it is considered unlikely. The probable source of the material, especially in the Elbe, is nuclear reprocessing plants in France. A 2010 report exonerated the nuclear power plants on the Elbe as the cause of contamination. Further doubt was cast on the nature of the supposed beads of nuclear material, with a Federal commission chastising the original commission that claimed to have discovered the beads. The exact cause of the increased leukemia cases remains unknown, and could be due to other environmental factors, or even by chance.<ref name="Leukemia1">{{cite journal|title=Childhood leukemia in the vicinity of the Geesthacht nuclear establishments near Hamburg, Germany|year=2007|pmid=17589605|last1=Hoffmann|first1=W.|last2=Terschueren|first2=C.|last3=Richardson|first3=D. B.|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|volume=115|issue=6|pages=947–952|doi=10.1289/ehp.9861|pmc=1892150|bibcode=2007EnvHP.115..947H }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Dickmann|first1=Barbara|title=Und niemand weiß, warum... Das rätselhafte Kindersterben. 2008.|language=german}}</ref><ref name="An almost perfect crime">{{cite news|title=An almost perfect crime|newspaper=Der Freitag |url=https://www.freitag.de/autoren/der-freitag/ein-fast-perfektes-verbrechen|language=de|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226235334/https://www.freitag.de/autoren/der-freitag/ein-fast-perfektes-verbrechen|url-status=live |last1=Wetzel |first1=Wolf }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Urban|first1=Martin|title="Atomperlen aus Geesthacht. Die "Atombombe in der Aktentasche": Forscher glauben, Ursache der Kinder-Tumore in der Gemeinde Geesthacht entdeckt zu haben. In: Süddeutsche Zeitung. 2. November 2004."|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wie kommt das Plutonium in die Elbe?|date=13 August 2010 |url=https://www.shz.de/lokales/norddeutsche-rundschau/wie-kommt-das-plutonium-in-die-elbe-id2401636.html|language=german|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=22 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522051336/https://www.shz.de/lokales/norddeutsche-rundschau/wie-kommt-das-plutonium-in-die-elbe-id2401636.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The nuclear plants have further been questioned as a source of the cases due to comparison to the [[Savannah River Site]] in the United States. Despite the release of radiation at the Savannah River Site, there is no increase in cases of leukemia around it. Alternative hypotheses for the cause of the cases have included [[electromagnetic field]]s, parental [[radiation]] exposure before conception, other [[carcinogen]]s, and [[benzene]] exposure; however, none have been supported by the existing evidence. Intriguingly, a larger case-control study in [[Lower Saxony]] found a correlation between the "untrained immune system" (as judged as contact with other children, vaccinations, etc.) and leukemia risk, suggested that an immature immune system that has not been challenged is at greater risk for developing malignancy, possibly secondary to an undetermined environment factor.<ref name="Grosche 1999">{{cite journal|last1=Grosche|first1=B|last2=Lackland|first2=D|last3=Mohr|first3=L|last4=Dunbar|first4=J|last5=Nicholas|first5=J|last6=Burkart|first6=W|last7=Hoel|first7=D|year=1999|title=Leukaemia in the vicinity of two tritium-releasing nuclear facilities: A comparison of the Kruemmel site, Germany, and the Savannah River site, South Carolina, USA|journal=Journal of Radiological Protection|volume=19|issue=3|pages=243–252|doi=10.1088/0952-4746/19/3/302|pmid=10503702|bibcode=1999JRP....19..243G|s2cid=250912929}}</ref><ref name="HoffmannTerschueren2007">{{cite journal|last1=Hoffmann|first1=Wolfgang|last2=Terschueren|first2=Claudia|last3=Richardson|first3=David B.|year=2007|title=Childhood Leukemia in the Vicinity of the Geesthacht Nuclear Establishments near Hamburg, Germany|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|volume=115|issue=6|pages=947–952|doi=10.1289/ehp.9861|issn=0091-6765|pmc=1892150|pmid=17589605|bibcode=2007EnvHP.115..947H }}</ref><gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Kernkraftwerk Kruemmel Side retouched.jpg|NPP Krümmel
File:AKW Brokdorf.jpg|Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant
</gallery>

===Tourism===
Located between the [[North Sea]] and the [[Baltic Sea]], Schleswig-Holstein is also a popular [[Tourism in Germany|tourist destination in Germany]]. Its islands, beaches, and cities attract millions of tourists every year. It has the second highest tourism intensity per local among the German states, after [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]], but in absolute value it is rank 6th and only 1/3 of top destination [[Bavaria]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2019/10/PD19_N003_45212.html|title=Tag der Deutschen Einheit: Tourismus in neuen Ländern wächst seit 2008 langsamer als im Westen|website=destatis.de|language=de|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723212129/https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2019/10/PD19_N003_45212.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a ruling by the [[Federal Administrative Court (Germany)|Federal Administrative Court]], everyone has the right to free access to the beach. Nevertheless, most of the seaside resorts kept cashing in (2-€3 /day/person).<ref>{{cite news|title=Die große Abzocke an deutschen Stränden|newspaper=Die Welt|date=5 February 2018|url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article173201979/Kurtaxe-Badeorte-erheben-trotz-Urteil-weiterhin-Gebuehren.html|language=de|last1=Fründt|first1=Steffen|access-date=9 April 2021|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001141944/https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article173201979/Kurtaxe-Badeorte-erheben-trotz-Urteil-weiterhin-Gebuehren.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
File:Haithabu 009.JPG|[[Haithabu]] Museum
File:Matthias Suessen Amrum-4590.jpg|[[North Sea]] Coast at [[Amrum]]
File:Lübeck, Aussicht vom Turm der St.-Petri-Kirche -- 2017 -- 0353.jpg|[[Lübeck]] City Hall
File:Lubeck widok na Stare Miasto 1.jpg|Historic City Center of [[Lübeck]]
File:Helgoland Lange Anna 2902.jpg|Island of [[Heligoland]]
</gallery>

===Agriculture===

63% of land in Schleswig-Holstein (990 403 ha) is used for agriculture (national average 47%).<ref>{{cite web|title=Umbruch auf dem Acker|url=https://story.kn-online.de/landwirtschaft/|language=de|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121203039/https://story.kn-online.de/landwirtschaft/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cultivated crops:<ref name="Schleswig">{{cite web|title=Schleswig-Holstein / Hamburg – Landwirtschaft|url=http://www.heimatundwelt.de/kartenansicht.xtp?artId=978-3-14-100263-8&stichwort=Sonderkultur&fs=1|language=de|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410115403/http://www.heimatundwelt.de/kartenansicht.xtp?artId=978-3-14-100263-8&stichwort=Sonderkultur&fs=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Wheat, 208,000 ha
* Maize for [[silage]], 176 000 ha
* Winter [[rapeseed]], 112 000 ha
* [[Sugar beet]], 7 500 ha
* [[Potatoes]], 5,500 ha

There are some special cultivation regions:
* [[Elbmarschen]], west of [[Hamburg]] for fruits cultivation
* [[Dithmarschen|Ditmarschen]] for [[cabbage]]
* Between [[Mölln, Schleswig-Holstein|Mölln]] and [[Lübeck]] for [[asparagus]]
* [[Pinneberg (district)|Pinneberg]] for tree [[Plant nursery|nurseries]] and flower garden (especially, [[rose]]s of [[Rosen Tantau]] and [[W. Kordes' Söhne]]), 2 931 ha. These 2 companies have over 50% of the world cut rose market. There is a German Nurseries Museum ("Deutsches Baumschulmuseum").<ref name="Schleswig"/>

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
File:Rosa Iceberg 1.jpg|Rosa Iceberg ("World-favorite Rose", 1983) from W. Kordes' Söhne
File:Rape-fieldSH.jpg|Rapeseed
File:Apricola (Kordes 2000).JPG|Rosa Apricola ("Goldenen Rose", 2005) from W. Kordes' Söhne
File:Schuelp kohlfeld einspruehen.JPG|Cabbage Field
</gallery>

===Animal husbandry===
[[File:Posing - Flickr - Tobi NDH.jpg|thumb|A Holstein heifer]]
The dairy and cattle farming in connection with fodder cultivation is mainly concentrated on the marshland and the bordering Geest areas. In 2020, around 1 million cattle, including 360,000 dairy cows, were counted in Schleswig-Holstein, ranking 4th among the German states. Livestock is continuously declining.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rinderbestand in Deutschland nach Bundesländern in den Jahren 2018 bis 2020|url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/28792/umfrage/rinderbestand-in-deutschland/|language=de|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506045203/https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/28792/umfrage/rinderbestand-in-deutschland/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Schleswig-Holstein is home to the most productive dairy cattle: [[Holstein Friesian cattle|Holsteins]], which produce an average of {{Convert|8125|l|gal|abbr=on}} per year of milk. It is now the main dairy cow around the world.

Pig breeding is mainly found in the [[Schleswig-Holstein Uplands]]. In principle, Schleswig-Holstein is one of the regions with relatively few pigs (a total of around 1.6 million; in comparison, [[Lower Saxony]]: over 8 million). Poultry and sheep are also of little importance in animal husbandry.<ref name="Schleswig"/> Schleswig-Holstein had Europe's largest snake farm in [[Uetersen]] with over 600 venomous reptiles, but it closed in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giftlabor schließt|date=22 May 2019|url=https://www.abendblatt.de/region/pinneberg/article219673443/Warum-Europas-groesste-Schlangenfarm-am-Ende-ist.html|language=de|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410113849/https://www.abendblatt.de/region/pinneberg/article219673443/Warum-Europas-groesste-Schlangenfarm-am-Ende-ist.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fishing and Aquaculture===
[[Image: Krabbenkutter_Ivonne_Pellworm_P5242390jm.JPG|thumbnail|Shrimp cutter near Südfall]]
Total production from fishing in North and Baltic Seas was 40 780 tonnes in 2019, ca. 1/3 German production.<ref name="Fish">{{cite web|title=Fischerei in Schleswig-Holstein|url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/Landesregierung/Themen/Landwirtschaft/Agrarstatistik/ZahlenFakten/Fischerei/Fischerei.html|language=de|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410143602/https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/Landesregierung/Themen/Landwirtschaft/Agrarstatistik/ZahlenFakten/Fischerei/Fischerei.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[Baltic Sea]] total production amounted to 10377 tonnes (2019), of which 5432 tonnes of [[European sprat|sprat]], 2568 tonnes of [[flatfish]] and 1190 tonnes of [[atlantic cod|cod]].<ref name="Fish" />

In the [[North Sea]] the numbers were 19,487 tonnes of [[Mytilidae|mussels]], 3560 tonnes of [[Crangon crangon|North Sea shrimp]], 1166 tonnes of [[herring]] and 7062 other fishes.<ref name="Fish" /> One important aquaculture product is [[Mytilidae|mussels]], 16864 tonnes.<ref name="Fish" /> Inland fishing and aquaculture are not significant, with 221 and 250 tonnes in 2019, respectively.<ref name="Fish" />

===Companies===
The largest company headquarters in Schleswig-Holstein with annual sales over 1 billion euros are:
* Wholesaler Bartels-Langness, [[Kiel]] 5.3 billion €
* Conglomerate Possehl, [[Lübeck]] 3.8 billion €
* Medical equipment manufacturer [[Dräger (company)|Drägerwerke]], [[Lübeck]] 3.4 billion €
* Telecommunication service provider [[Freenet AG|Freenet]], [[Büdelsdorf]] 2.9 billion € 
* Oil refinery Heide, [[Hemmingstedt]] 2.4 billion € 
* Submarine shipyards [[ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems]], [[Kiel]] 1.8 billion €
* Drainage and water solutions [[ACO Group]], [[Büdelsdorf]] 1 billion €

The unemployment rate stood at 5.0'''%''' in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/DE/Navigation/Statistiken/Statistiken-nach-Regionen/Politische-Gebietsstruktur-Nav.html|title=Arbeitslosenquote nach Bundesländern in Deutschland {{!}}|language=de|access-date=9 April 2021|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129125713/https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/DE/Navigation/Statistiken/Statistiken-nach-Regionen/Politische-Gebietsstruktur-Nav.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www-genesis.destatis.de/genesis/online/data;sid=8605C2647C4C92D731CC1EC4BAC5AF53.GO_1_3?operation=ergebnistabelleUmfang&levelindex=3&levelid=1542098063701&downloadname=13211-0007|title=Federal Statistical Office Germany – GENESIS-Online|last=(Destatis)|first=© Statistisches Bundesamt|date=13 November 2018|website=www-genesis.destatis.de|language=en|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=13 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113170119/https://www-genesis.destatis.de/genesis/online/data;sid=8605C2647C4C92D731CC1EC4BAC5AF53.GO_1_3?operation=ergebnistabelleUmfang&levelindex=3&levelid=1542098063701&downloadname=13211-0007|url-status=live}}</ref>
!2000
!2001
!2002
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
!2007
!2008
!2009
!2010
!2011
!2012
!2013
!2014
!2015
!2016
!2017
!2018
!2019
|-
|Unemployment rate in %
|8.5
|8.4
|8.7
|9.7
|9.8
|11.6
|10.0
|8.4
|7.6
|7.8
|7.5
|7.2
|6.9
|6.9
|6.8
|6.5
|6.3
|6.0
|5.5
|5.1
|}

===Industries===
* '''Shipbuilding'''. Ca. 20% of German shipbuilding. The biggest ship yard [[ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems]] situated in [[Kiel]] and build submarines of [[Type 212 submarine|212]] and [[Type 214 submarine|214]] types. In [[Flensburg]] [[Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft|FSG]] yard build [[ferry|ferries]]. Famous luxury [[megayacht]]s are built by [[Lürssen|Lürssen-Kröger Werft]], [[Schacht-Audorf]], and [[Nobiskrug]], [[Rendsburg]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/technik-motor/motor/deutsche-werften-geniessen-unter-superyacht-eignern-exzellenten-ruf-17372158.html|title=Deutsche werften geniessen unter superyacht eignern exzellenten ruf|newspaper=Faz.net|language=de|last1=Krall|first1=Marcus|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609042305/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/technik-motor/motor/deutsche-werften-geniessen-unter-superyacht-eignern-exzellenten-ruf-17372158.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Shipyards in [[Lübeck]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flender Werft: 800 Mitarbeiter fürchten das Aus|date=4 June 2002 |url=https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-199204.html|language=de|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617002949/https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-199204.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Caterpillar-MaK marine engine plant were closed.<ref>{{cite web|title=chon im kommenden Jahr werden Caterpillar-Motoren nicht mehr in Kiel, sondern in Rostock und China produziert|date=25 September 2014 |url=https://www.shz.de/regionales/schleswig-holstein/wirtschaft/caterpillar-entlaesst-237-mitarbeiter-in-kiel-id7773241.html|language=de|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924053315/https://www.shz.de/regionales/schleswig-holstein/wirtschaft/caterpillar-entlaesst-237-mitarbeiter-in-kiel-id7773241.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Raytheon Anschütz deliveries navigation equipment, autopilots, and radars to shipyards.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
</gallery>
* '''Locomotive'''. Vossloh Locomotives (owned by Chinese [[CRRC]]) manufactures three models of diesel-hydraulic (G6, G12, G18) and two models of diesel-electric (DE12, DE18) locomotives. Other manufacturer was Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik, but closed in 2014 year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiel Voith Verkauf endgueltig gescheitert|url=https://www.kn-online.de/Nachrichten/Wirtschaft/Kiel-Voith-Verkauf-endgueltig-gescheitert|language=de|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=25 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425223631/https://www.kn-online.de/Nachrichten/Wirtschaft/Kiel-Voith-Verkauf-endgueltig-gescheitert|url-status=live}}</ref> Both firms are in [[Kiel]].

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
</gallery>
[[File:20181018 Draeger Hauptsitz min.jpg|left|thumb|Headquarters of [[Dräger (company)|Dräger]] in [[Lübeck]]]]
* '''Industrial equipment'''. Fish and poultry processing machinery from Baader, [[Lübeck]], bottle washers and pasteurizers from Krones, [[Flensburg]], grinding machine tools from Peter Wolters, [[Rendsburg]], machinery to manufacture human-made fibers, and non-woven textile from Oerlikon Neumag and Oerlikon Nonwoven, [[Neumünster]].
* '''Medical and labor equipment'''. [[Dräger (company)|Drägerwerk]] in [[Lübeck]] manufactures breathing equipment, medical ventilators and monitors, anesthetic machines, neonatal incubators, gas detectors, drug testing equipment, diving equipment, rebreathers, and breathalyzers. The company delivers breathing devices for reanimation [[COVID-19]] patients. Euroimmun, [[Lübeck]], produces test systems with which antibodies can be determined in the serum of patients and thus autoimmune and infectious diseases (including COVID-19) as well as allergies.
* '''Chemical'''. Almost all chemical industry is concentrated around [[Brunsbüttel]]. [[Covestro]], with 650 employees, produced annually 400,000 tonnes [[methylene diphenyl diisocyanate]], which using in synthesis of [[polyurethane]]. [[Yara International|Yara]] (214 employees) produces [[nitrogen fertilizers]], but, with a special process, instead of using natural gas, it uses heavy oil, which also allows the manufacture of byproduct [[vanadium oxide]] and [[sulphur]]. Heavy oil is a source material to produce [[bitumen]] by [[Total SE|Total Bitumen]] (130 empl.). Other plant is [[Sasol]] (520 empl.), which produce [[Fatty alcohol|fatty]] and Guerbet alcohols, [[Paraffin wax|paraffin]] and high-purity [[aluminium oxide]], [[aluminium hydroxide]] and [[triethylaluminium]]. Another important location of the chemical industry is [[Neumünster]] with [[Ems-Chemie|EMS-Griltech]], which manufactures technical fibers from [[polyamides]] and [[polyesters]], adhesives, and powder coatings.

==Transport==
===Kiel Canal===
{{Main|Kiel Canal}}
The most important transport way in Schleswig-Holstein is Kiel Canal, which connect [[Brunsbüttel]] on [[North Sea]] with [[Kiel]] on [[Baltic Sea]]. Total cargo of ships reach peaks in 2007 and 2012, after that it continuous decline with 73.8 million tonnes in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gesamte Ladung der Schiffe im Nord-Ostsee-Kanal in den Jahren 1996 bis 2020|url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/29409/umfrage/guetertransporte-im-nord-ostsee-kanal|language=de|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515031218/https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/29409/umfrage/guetertransporte-im-nord-ostsee-kanal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Nord-Ostsee-Kanal Kiel-Holtenau.JPG|[[Kiel Canal|Kiel-Canal]] as seen from the [[Baltic Sea]]
File:Kiel canal - Nord-Ostsee-Kanal near Rendsburg.jpg|A [[Freighter (cargo ship)|freighter]] in Transit through the [[Kiel Canal]]
File:Hochdonn, Fähre über den Nord-Ostsee-Kanal NIK 0273.JPG|Ferry Hochdonn
</gallery>

===Ports===
The state has 46 public ports and landing stages, four of which fulfill international transit functions: [[Port of Kiel|Kiel]], Lübeck / [[Travemünde]] and [[Puttgarden]] on the [[Baltic Sea]], Brunsbüttel on the [[North Sea]]. Kiel and Lübeck are also important for freight traffic to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Lübeck-Travemünde and Kiel are also important ferry and cruise ports. Puttgarden is the German port of the Vogelfluglinie to Denmark. Brunsbüttel is a significant port for bulk goods and also serves as a foundation for the offshore wind energy industry.

{| class="wikitable"
!Port<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jahresbericht 2019/2020 |url=https://www.zds-seehaefen.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ZDS_Jahresbericht20192020_online_pdf.pdf |language=de |access-date=26 February 2022|archive-date=21 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221095011/https://www.zds-seehaefen.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ZDS_Jahresbericht20192020_online_pdf.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
!HANDLING OF GOODS, MT 
!FERRY AND RO/RO TRANSPORT, MT 
!NUMBER OF PASSENGERS
|-
|Lübeck
| style="text-align:right;"|16.0
| style="text-align:right;"|23.0
| style="text-align:right;"|449 000
|-
|Brunsbüttel
| style="text-align:right;"|10.1
| style="text-align:right;"|0.0
| style="text-align:right;"|0
|-
|Puttgarden
| style="text-align:right;"|5.4
| style="text-align:right;"|14.4
| style="text-align:right;"|5 482 277
|-
|Kiel
| style="text-align:right;"|4.8
| style="text-align:right;"|5.9
| style="text-align:right;"|1 588 467
|}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Lubeck Hanse.jpg|Port of [[Lübeck]]
File:Puttgarden-Rødby (11853324645).jpg|Port of [[Puttgarden]]
File:Ölhafen Brunsbüttel.jpg|Port of [[Brunsbüttel]]
File:Puerto de Kiel, Alemania, 2019-08-30, DD 04.jpg|[[Port of Kiel]]
</gallery>

===Air===
[[Lübeck Airport]] and [[Sylt Airport]] are currently the only two airports which are operating in Schleswig-Holstein with the nearest international airport being [[Hamburg Airport]] which is located 89 km south of Kiel.

==Education==

=== General Education ===
In Schleswig-Holstein, the [[School education|school education system]] begins with a four-year primary school, called ''[[Grundschule]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Grundschule |url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/S/schulsystem/grundschulen.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=schleswig-holstein.de |language=de}}</ref> [[Compulsory education]] applies to all children who turn six years old by June 30th of the current calendar year.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to the four-year primary school, the secondary level (grades 5 to 10), equivalent to middle school, consists of a two-tier school system comprising ''[[Comprehensive school|Gemeinschaftsschulen]]'' and ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasium]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Gemeinschaftsschule |url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/S/schulsystem/gemeinschaftsschule.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=schleswig-holstein.de |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Gymnasium |url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/S/schulsystem/gymnasium.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=schleswig-holstein.de |language=de}}</ref> At all ''[[Comprehensive school|Gemeinschaftsschulen]]'', [[Mittlere Reife]] can be obtained. Currently, 44 comprehensive schools also offer three additional years of [[Secondary school|highschool]] education, where students can complete the [[Abitur]] (higher education entrance qualification) after a total of 13 school years.<ref name=":1" />

Most ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasium]]'' in Schleswig-Holstein offer a nine-year educational track, with only one ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasium]]'' leading to the [[Abitur]] in eight years. Three of the [[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasien]] offer both three-year and two-year pathways for the [[Abitur]].<ref name=":2" />

The third option to obtain the [[Abitur]] is through the `''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|Berufliches Gymnasium]]''<nowiki/>' (vocational gymnasium).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Wege zum Abitur |url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/S/schulsystem/abitur.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=schleswig-holstein.de |language=de}}</ref> At the 28 ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|berufliches Gymnasium]]'' in Schleswig-Holstein, students – unlike in the profile upper stage of regular ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasium]]'' and ''[[Gesamtschule|Gemeinschaftsschulen]]'' – have the opportunity to choose a specific subject area. The offered disciplines include [[agricultural economics]], nutrition, technology, economics, as well as [[Health science|health and social care]].<ref name=":3" /> Admission requirements for the ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|berufliches Gymnasium]]'' include above-average completion of the ''[[Mittlere Reife]]''.Currently, around one-fifth of the high school graduates in Schleswig-Holstein graduate from ''[[Gymnasium (Germany)|berufliches Gymnasium]]''.<ref name=":3" />

=== Academic Education ===
There are three universities in [[University of Kiel|Kiel]] (classical, budget 167.1 M€), [[University of Lübeck|Lübeck]] (medicine, budget 80.8 M€) and [[University of Flensburg|Flensburg]] (pedagogical, 37.4 M€).<ref name="EducationSH2">{{cite web|title=Institutions of Higher Education in Schleswig-Holstein|url=http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/Portal/EN/Education/InstitutionsHigherEducation/InstitutionsHigherEducation_node.html|publisher=State of Schleswig-Holstein|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930041114/http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/Portal/EN/Education/InstitutionsHigherEducation/InstitutionsHigherEducation_node.html|archive-date=30 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Six public Universities of Applied Sciences exist in [[Wedel]], [[Altenholz]], [[Flensburg University of Applied Sciences|Flensburg]], [[Heide]], [[Kiel University of Applied Sciences|Kiel]], and [[Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck|Lübeck]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hochschulen in Schleswig-Holstein |url=http://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/Fachinhalte/H/hochschule_allgemein/Wrapping/hochschulen_wrapping.html?nn=80cfdf51-1a24-4512-a0d7-d9cd524787ae |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=Landesportal Schleswig-Holstein |language=de |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425223631/https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/Fachinhalte/H/hochschule_allgemein/Wrapping/hochschulen_wrapping.html |url-status=live }}</ref> There is the Conservatory in Lübeck and the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts in Kiel. There are also three private institutions of higher learning.<ref name="EducationSH2"/>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Koenigstrasse45.JPG|[[University of Lübeck]]
File:FH Luebeck Atrium.jpg|[[University of Applied Sciences]] [[Lübeck]]
File:Campus-Flensburg-Fachhochschule.jpg|[[Flensburg University of Applied Sciences|University of Applied Sciences Flensburg]]
</gallery>

== Honorary citizens ==
As of 2016, seven persons had been made [[Honorary citizenship|honorary citizens]] of Schleswig-Holstein:<ref name=SHZ-MS/>

*[[Gerhard Stoltenberg]] †,<ref name=Lubowski>{{cite news
  | last         = Lubowski
  | first        = Karin 
  | date         = 12 March 2004
  | title        = Schleswig-Holstein dankt Siegfried Lenz
  | url          = https://www.abendblatt.de/region/norddeutschland/article106934891/Schleswig-Holstein-dankt-Siegfried-Lenz.html
  | work         = Hamburger Abendlatt
  | location     = Luebeck
  | access-date  = 2 August 2023
  | quote        = Lenz ist nach Altkanzler Helmut Schmidt (SPD), dem FDP-Ehrenvorsitzenden Uwe Ronneburger und dem verstorbenen früheren Ministerpräsidenten Gerhard Stoltenberg (CDU) der erste Ehrenbürger Schleswig-Holsteins, der kein Politiker ist. 
  | language = german
}}</ref><ref name=weltLenz>{{cite news
  | date         = 3 July 2004
  | title        = Lenz wird Ehrenbürger von Schleswig-Holstein
  | url          = https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article325110/Lenz-wird-Ehrenbuerger-von-Schleswig-Holstein.html

  | work         = [[Die Welt]]
  | access-date  = 2 August 2023
  | language     = German
}}</ref> former ''[[Ministerpräsident]]'' of Schleswig-Holstein and former [[Federal Minister of Defence (Germany)|federal Minister of Defence]]
*[[Uwe Ronneburger]] †,<ref name=Lubowski/><ref name=weltLenz/> former chairman of the Schleswig-Holstein [[Free Democratic Party of Germany|FDP]] 
*[[Helmut Schmidt]] †,<ref name=Lubowski/><ref name=weltLenz/> former German ''[[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|Bundeskanzler]]''
*[[Siegfried Lenz]] †,<ref name=Lubowski/><ref name=weltLenz/> distinguished German author; Schleswig-Holstein is the location of many of his stories
*[[Armin Mueller-Stahl]],<ref name=SHZ-MS>{{cite news
  | date         = 9 March 2010
  | title        = Mueller-Stahl wird Ehrenbürger Schleswig-Holsteins 
  | url          = https://www.shz.de/deutschland-welt/kultur/artikel/mueller-stahl-wird-ehrenbuerger-schleswig-holsteins-40947863
  | work         = [[shz|sh:z]]
  | access-date  = 2 August 2023
  | language     = German
  | quote        = Mueller-Stahl ist der fünfte Ehrenbürger des Landes nach den Politikern Helmut Schmidt, Uwe Ronneburger, Gerhard Stoltenberg und dem Schriftsteller Siegfried Lenz.
}}</ref> an actor who once worked at [[Lübeck Academy of Music]] and supported multiple museums
*[[Günther Fielmann|Dr. Günther Fielmann]] †, businessman and philanthropist<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Schleswig-Holsteins Ehrenbürgerinnen und Ehrenbürger |url=https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/landesportal/land-und-leute/menschen/ehrenbuerger/ehrenbuerger_node.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=schleswig-holstein.de |language=de}}</ref>
*[[Heide Simonis]] †, first female [[Minister-president|''Ministerpräsidentin'']] of Schleswig-Holstein<ref name=":4" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Geography|Europe|European Union|Germany}}
* [[Outline of Germany]]
* [[Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein|Schleswig]]
* [[Holstein-Glückstadt]]
* [[Dukes of Holstein-Gottorp]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg]]
* [[Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön-Rethwisch]]
* [[State Constitutional Court of Schleswig-Holstein]]
* [[Coat of arms of Schleswig]]
*[[Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig]]
*[[Schleswig-Holstein Police]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
;Danish-language bibliography
*{{cite book |last1=Rasmussen |first1=Carsten Porskrog |title=Hertugdømmet |date=2019 |publisher=Aarhus Universitetsforlag |isbn=978-87-7184-761-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=77-7xQEACAAJ |language=da}}
*{{cite book |last1=Gram-Andersen |first1=Jesper |title=De kongelige hertugdømmer: skydebrødre i Det Kongelige Kjøbenhavnske Skydeselskab og Danske Broderskab med relation til Slesvig og Holsten |date=2020 |publisher=Kle-art |isbn=978-87-92750-32-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QG_FzgEACAAJ |language=da}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jensen |first1=N. P. |title=Den første slesvigske krig 1848-50 |date=23 January 2019 |publisher=Lindhardt og Ringhof |isbn=978-87-26-10014-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I-6wzgEACAAJ |language=da}}
*{{cite book |last1=Buk-Swienty |first1=Tom |title=Slagtebænk Dybbøl: 18. april 1864 : historien om et slag |date=2009 |publisher=Gyldendal A/S |isbn=978-87-02-07756-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vza_UgklItUC |language=da}}<
*{{cite book |last1=Frandsen |first1=Steen Bo |title=Holsten i helstaten: hertugdømmet inden for og uden for det danske monarki i første halvdel af 1800-tallet |date=2008 |publisher=Museum Tusculanums Forlag, Københavns Universitet |isbn=978-87-635-0754-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wgpBNQAACAAJ |language=da}}
*{{cite book |last1=Korsgaard |first1=Ove |title=Nationalstatens fødselsveer: Grundtvig, krig og geopolitik |date=2024 |publisher=Aarhus University Press |location=Aarhus |isbn=978-87-7597-394-1 |url=https://en.unipress.dk/udgivelser/n/nationalstatens-f%C3%B8dselsveer/}}

;German language bibliography
*{{cite book |last1=Wenners |first1=Peter |title=Schleswig-Holstein und Dänemark: Geschichte im Spiegel der Literatur |date=2019 |publisher=Boyens |isbn=978-3-8042-1513-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbVgxQEACAAJ |language=de}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jung |first1=Frank |title=1864 - Der Krieg um Schleswig-Holstein |date=1 September 2014 |publisher=Ellert & Richter Verlag |isbn=978-3-8319-1016-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HsbBEAAAQBAJ |language=de}}

;English language bibliography
*{{cite book |last1=Svendsen |first1=Nick B. |title=Medieval wars in the Duchy of Schleswig 1410 to 1432: and the quest for the Nordic Countries |date=11 September 2018 |publisher=Books on Demand |isbn=978-87-430-0687-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQduDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Dicey |first1=Edward |last2=Lowe |first2=Charles |title=The Schleswig-Holstein War Between Denmark and the German States |date=9 June 2016 |publisher=Leonaur Limited |isbn=978-1-78282-522-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R22UDAEACAAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Schietzel |first1=Kurt |title=Unearthing Hedeby: An Archaeological Exploration of the Early Medieval Settlement of Hedeby : Documentation and Chronicle 1963-2013 |date=2022 |publisher=Wachholtz |isbn=978-3-529-01795-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OLR5zwEACAAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Bregnsbo |first1=Michael |last2=Jensen |first2=Kurt Villads |title=Schleswig Holstein: Contested Region(s) Through History |date=2016 |publisher=University Press of Southern Denmark |isbn=978-87-7674-870-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iJzSjwEACAAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Svendsen |first1=Nick |title=Generals of the Danish Army in the First and Second Schleswig-Holstein Wars, 1848-50 And 1864: Rye, Du Plat, Schleppegrell |date=October 2012 |publisher=Helion, Limited |isbn=978-1-908916-46-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zN1tMQEACAAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Svendsen |first1=Nick |title=The First Schleswig-Holstein War 1848-50 |date=19 July 2010 |publisher=Helion and Company |isbn=978-1-910294-19-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yZvwAwAAQBAJ |language=en}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{Osmrelation-inline|62775}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Schleswig-Holstein}}
* [https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/landesportal/land-und-leute/menschen/ehrenbuerger/ehrenbuerger_node.html  Schleswig-Holsteins Ehrenbürgerinnen und Ehrenbürger (Schleswig-Holstein Honorary Citizens, In German)]

{{States of the Federal Republic of Germany}}
{{Germany districts Schleswig-Holstein}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Schleswig-Holstein| ]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1946]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:States of Germany]]