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LEFT BAVARIA 449 BAVARIA Topography. — The main portion of the kingdom is in most parts hilly; in the S., where it belongs to the Alps, moun- tainous; but N. of the Alps and S. of the Danube, which flows E., through the country from Ulm to Passau, there is a considerable plateau, averaging about 1,600 feet above the sea level. The S. frontier is formed by a branch of the Noric Alps, offsets from which project far into the plateau; principal peaks: the Zugspitze, 10,394 feet, and the Watz- mann, 9,470 feet. The highest summits on the Bohemian (Austrian) frontier, be- longing to the Bohmerwald Mountains, are the Rachel, 5,102 feet, and the Arber, 5,185 feet. Ranges of less elevation bor- dering on or belonging to the country are the Fichtelgebirge in the N. E., the Frankenwald, Rhongebirge, and Spes- sart in the N., and the Steigerwald and Franconian Jura in the middle. The Palatinate is traversed by the N. extrem- ity of the Vosges Mountains, the highest peak being the Konigstuhl, 2,162 feet. The greater part of the country belongs to the basin of the Danube, which is nav- igable, its tributaries on the S. being the Iller, Lech, Isar, and Inn; on the N., the Wornitz, Altmiihl, Nab, and Regen. The N. portion belongs to the basin of the Main, which receives the Regnitz and Saale, and is a tributary of the Rhine. The Palatinate has only small streams that flow into its boundary river, the Rhine. The chief lakes of Bavaria are all on the higher part of the S. plateau; the smaller within the range of the Alps. The Ammer-See is about 10 miles long by 214; broad, 1,736 feet above the sea; the Wiirm-See or Starnberger-See, about 12 miles long by 3 broad, 1,899 feet; and Chiem-See, 9 miles long by 9 to 4 broad, 1,651 feet. The climate in general is temperate and healthful, though some- what colder than the other south Ger- man states; the yearly average tempera- ture is about 47°. Soil and Productions. — As regards soil Bavaria is one of the most fertile coun- tries in Germany, producing the vari- ous cereals in abundance, the best hops in Germany, fruit, wine, tobacco, etc., and having extensive forests. Lower Franconia (the Main valley) and the Palatinate are the great vine growing districts. The celebrated Steinwein and Leistenwein are the produce of the slopes of the Steinberg and Marienberg at Wiirzburg (on the Main). The forests of Bavaria, chiefly fir and pine, yield a large revenue; much timber being annu- ally exported, together with potash, tar, turpentine, etc. The principal mineral products are salt, coal, and iron, some of the mining works belonging to the state. The minerals worked include copper, quicksilver, manganese, cobalt, porcelain clay, alabaster, graphite. Large num- bers of horses and cattle are reared, as also sheep and swine. Manufactures. — The principal articles manufactured are linens, woolens, cot- tons, leather, paper, glass, earthen and iron ware, jewelry, etc. The optical and mathematical instruments made are ex- cellent. A most important branch of in- dustry is the brewing of beer, for which there are upward of 7,000 establishments producing over 260,000,000 of gallons a year. Principal exports: corn, timber, wine, cattle, glass, hops, fruit, beer, wooden wares, etc. From its position Bavaria has a considerable transit trade. The Konig Ludwig canal connects the Main at Bamberg with the Altmiihl a short distance above its embouchure in the Danube, thus establishing water com- munication between the German Ocean and the Black Sea. Education. — Before the European War there were over 7,500 elementary schools, on which attendance is compulsory up to 14 years of age. There are three uni- versities, two of which (Munich and Wiirzburg) are Roman Catholic, and one (Erlangen) Protestant. In art Bavaria is best known as the home of the Niirn- berg school, founded about the middle of the 16th century by Albert Diirer. Hans Holbein is also claimed as a Bavarian; and to these have to be added the emi- nent sculptors, Kraft and Vischer, both born about the middle of the 15th cen- tury. The restoration of the reputation of Bavaria in art was chiefly the work of Ludwig I., under whom the capital became one of the most prominent seats of the fine arts in Europe. The religion of the state was Roman Catholicism. All citizens, whatever their creed, possess the same civil and political rights. The dioceses of Bavaria comprise two Ro- man Catholic archbishoprics, Munich and Bamberg; and six bishoprics, Augsburg, Ratisbon, Eichstadt, Passau, Wiirzburg, and Spires. Government. — Under the monarchial form of government the Bavarian crown was hereditary in the male line. The executive was in the hands of the King. The Legislature consisted of two cham- bers, one of Senators: royal princes, high state officers, clergy, etc. ; the other of 150 deputies nominated by electors. Bavaria sent six members to the German Federal Council (Bundesrath), and 48 to the Reichstag. In times of peace the King of Bavaria commanded the army, but in war the German Emperor com- manded. As a result of the new consti-