Saxony-Anhalt

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Saxony-Anhalt Federal state in s Germany, with Lower Saxony to the nw and Saxony to the se; the capital is Magdeburg. Other major cities include Halle and Dessau. The history of the region coincides with that of Saxony until 1871, when it became a state of the German Empire. After World War 2, the Red Army briefly occupied the region and the district was abolished in 1952. Following German reunification in 1991, Saxony-Anhalt reformed as a Federal State of Germany. The region is mainly plains, with the Harz Mountains rising in the sw of the state. Predominantly an industrial region, its major manufactures are machine and transport equipment. Area: 20,445sq km (7892sq mi). Pop. (1999 est.) 2,648,737.