# Schwerin

> capital city of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

**Wikidata**: [Q1709](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1709)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwerin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/schwerin

## Summary
Schwerin is the capital city of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, founded in 1161 by Henry the Lion. It is an urban district and major regional center located in northern Germany, situated among numerous lakes including the Schweriner See. As of December 31, 2023, the city has a population of 98,733.

## Key Facts
- **Capital Status**: Capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since October 3, 1990.
- **Inception**: Founded in 1161 by Henry the Lion.
- **Population**: 98,733 (as of December 31, 2023); 95,818 (as of December 31, 2018).
- **Area**: 130.52 square kilometres (as of December 31, 2017).
- **Location**: Coordinates 53.6289°N, 11.415°E; elevation 52 metres above sea level.
- **Country**: Germany.
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00 (standard time); UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time).
- **Licence Plate**: SN.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 0385.
- **Postal Codes**: 19053, 19055, 19057, 19059, 19061, 19063.
- **Identifiers**: UN/LOCODE DESWR; NUTS code DE804; Geonames ID 2834281.

## FAQs
**What is the political significance of Schwerin?**
Schwerin serves as the state capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a role it has held since German reunification on October 3, 1990. It is also an urban district and a member of the Städte- und Gemeindetag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

**Who are Schwerin's twin towns?**
Schwerin is twinned with seven cities: Tallinn (since 1993), Wuppertal (since 1987), Vaasa (since 1970), Reggio Emilia (since 1966), Odense (since 1995), Piła (since 1996), and Växjö Municipality (since 1999).

**What geographical features define Schwerin?**
The city is located within or next to numerous bodies of water, including the Schweriner See, Burgsee, Fauler See, Grimkesee, Heidensee, Lankower See, Medeweger See, Neumühler See, Ostorfer See, Pfaffenteich, and Ziegelsee, as well as the Aubach and Stör waterways.

**Who is the current head of government?**
Rico Badenschier serves as the head of government, a term scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. Bernd Nottebaum is slated to succeed him starting January 1, 2026.

**What administrative divisions does the city contain?**
Schwerin contains numerous administrative territorial entities, including Schelfstadt, Altstadt, Feldstadt, Paulsstadt, Großer Dreesch, Neu Zippendorf, Mueß, Mueßer Holz, Ostorf, Lankow, Krebsförden, Wüstmark, Göhrener Tannen, Friedrichsthal, Sacktannen, Warnitz, and Zippendorf.

## Why It Matters
As the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schwerin acts as the political and administrative center for the state. Its status as a major regional center and state capital underscores its importance in the regional governance of Germany. The city's historical depth, dating back to its founding in 1161, and its continuous role as a capital through various political eras—from the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to the modern Federal Republic—highlight its enduring administrative relevance. Furthermore, its membership in international organizations like "Mayors for Peace" reflects its engagement in global municipal networks.

## Notable For
- Being one of the smallest state capitals in Germany by population.
- Its location surrounded by lakes, specifically the Schweriner See.
- The Schwerin Castle, depicted in the city's image and flag.
- Holding the status of a "big city" between 1972 and 2001.
- Being a member of "Mayors for Peace" since January 2011.

## Body

### History and Governance
Schwerin was founded in 1161 by Henry the Lion. Throughout its history, it has served as the capital for various political entities. It was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1352 to 1918, the Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1918 to 1934, the Free State of Mecklenburg from 1934 to 1952, and Mecklenburg from 1945 to 1952. During the East German era, it was the capital of Schwerin District and Schwerin Rural District from 1952 to 1990. It assumed its current role as the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on October 3, 1990.

The city's governance has been led by several heads of government, including Helmut Oder (1984–1990), Frank Grimm (1977–1984), and Angelika Gramkow (2008–2016). The current head of government is Rico Badenschier (2016–2025), with Bernd Nottebaum designated to start on January 1, 2026.

### Geography and Demographics
Schwerin covers an area of 130.52 square kilometres. The city is situated at an elevation of 52 metres above sea level. It shares borders with the Ludwigslust-Parchim District and the Nordwestmecklenburg District. The city's population has fluctuated over the decades:
- 1970: 97,389
- 1990: 127,447
- 2000: 101,267
- 2010: 95,220
- 2023: 98,733 (51,394 male; 47,339 female)

### International Relations
Schwerin maintains town twinning relationships with several cities across Europe. These partnerships include:
- **Reggio Emilia**, Italy (since April 14, 1966)
- **Vaasa**, Finland (since June 1970)
- **Wuppertal**, Germany (since February 9, 1987)
- **Tallinn**, Estonia (since August 11, 1993)
- **Odense**, Denmark (since November 1995)
- **Piła**, Poland (since May 24, 1996)
- **Växjö Municipality**, Sweden (since December 5, 1999)

### Culture and Heritage
The city is home to numerous cultural heritage monuments and sculptures. It is described by several encyclopedic sources, including Otto's encyclopedia, Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Great Soviet Encyclopedia, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, and Granat Encyclopedic Dictionary. The city's visual identity includes a coat of arms, a flag, and a locator map image. The official website is https://www.schwerin.de/.

### Identifiers and Classifications
Schwerin holds multiple identifiers across various databases and systems:
- **Administrative Codes**: German district key 13004; German regional key 130040000000; German municipality key 13004000.
- **Library and Archives**: GND ID 4053950-7; Library of Congress Authority ID n50054696; VIAF ID 143721111.
- **Digital and Web**: Quora topic "Schwerin"; Facebook location ID 107431602612836; Instagram location ID 234972593; OpenStreetMap relation ID 62685.
- **Scientific**: Mindat locality ID 255812; iNaturalist place ID 98478.
- **Music**: MusicBrainz area ID a96874ba-77ff-4180-841d-f865df02ad71.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/tallinn/)
3. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/wuppertal/)
4. [Source](https://www.wuppertal.de/tourismus-freizeit/stadtportrait/partnerstaedte/102010100000010333.php#Partnerschaft)
5. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/vaasa/)
6. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/reggio-emilia/)
7. [Source](https://www.comune.re.it/argomenti/relazioni-internazionali/gemellaggi-e-cittadinanze-onorarie/schwerin-germania)
8. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/odense/)
9. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/pila/)
10. [Source](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/Information/stadtportrait/staedtepartnerschaften/vaxjo/)
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Kreisfreie Städte. Städte- und Gemeindetag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern](http://www.stgt-mv.de/wir-ueber-uns/Mitglieder/Kreisfreie-Staedte/)
13. [Source](http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/english/membercity/map/europe.html)
14. [Source](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=53.62886&mlon=11.41488#map=18/53.62886/11.41488)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Czech National Authority Database
17. MusicBrainz
18. [Alle politisch selbständigen Gemeinden mit ausgewählten Merkmalen am 31.12.2018 (4. Quartal). Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/GVAuszugQ/AuszugGV4QAktuell.html)
19. [Source](https://www.laiv-mv.de/static/LAIV/Statistik/Dateien/Publikationen/A%20I%20Bev%C3%B6lkerungsstand/A123/2018/A123%202018%2022.xls)
20. [Source](https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Laender-Regionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/04-kreise.html)
21. [Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.statistikportal.de/de/produkte/gemeindeverzeichnis)
22. register of German municipalities (4th quarter 2022)
23. register of German municipalities (2022)
24. register of German municipalities (2023)
25. GeoNames
26. directory of German Library Codes
27. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/de.htm)
28. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-8glsz4/Schwerin/?zoom=19&center=53.62886%2C11.41555&popup=53.62889%2C11.41551)
29. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
30. museum-digital