
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a coastal state located in north-east Germany. Its geography is determined by the fact that it belongs to the northern German lowlands, with undulating plains covered with woods and lakes, which give the landscape its characteristic form.
The only large city in our sparsely populated flatland is the Hanseatic city of Rostock with 204,260 inhabitants. 95,300 people live in the state capital of Schwerin (effective date of census: 31st December 2011). Altogether the population is dispersed in two urban districts and six administrative districts.
In spite of positive economic development, the situation on the labour market is tense. The food industry and biotechnology among others are considered as the branches of the economy with the most potential. Tourism also plays a very important role for the state.