scubish.com: Scuba diving Hannover - Germany

:This article refers to the German city. For other uses, see Hanover (disambiguation)
Hanover⁽ⁱ⁾ (, IPA: haˈnoːfɐ), on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany. In addition to being capital of Lower Saxony, Hanover was also the capital of the administrative area Hanover region (Regierungsbezirk Hannover) until Lower Saxony's regions were disbanded at the beginning of 2005. It is, however, still part of the Hanover district (Region Hannover), which is a municipal body made up from the former district and city of Hanover.

With a population of 522,944 (1 February 2007) the city is a major center of northern Germany, known for hosting annual commercial expositions such as the Hannover Fair and the CeBIT. Every year Hanover hosts the Schützenfest Hannover, the world's largest Marksmen's Fun Fair and the Oktoberfest Hannover which is the second largest Oktoberfest in the world. In 2000, Hanover hosted the world fair Expo 2000. The Hannover fairground, due to numerous extensions especially for the Expo 2000, is the largest in the world. Hannover also has regional importance because of its university and medical school, its international airport and its large zoo (Hannover Zoo).

History

The town was founded in medieval times on the bank of the river Leine (the original name Honovere may be translated as "high bank", though it is debated). It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen, which became a comparatively large town in the 13th century. In the 14th century the main churches of Hanover were built, as well as a city wall with three town gates to secure the city.

In 1636 the Elector of Calenberg decided to move his residence to Hanover. His electorate was afterwards known as the Electorate of Hanover (see: House of Hanover). His descendants would later become kings of Great Britain (after 1800, kings of the United Kingdom); the first of them was George I, who ascended to the British throne in 1714. Three kings of Great Britain, or the United Kingdom, were at the same time Electoral Princes of Hanover. His even further descendants became the monarchs of sixteen countries around the world known as the Commonwealth Realms.

During the time (1714-1837) of the personal union of the crowns of the United Kingdom and Hanover, the monarch rarely visited Hanover. In fact, during the reigns of the final three joint rulers (1760-1837), there was only one short visit, by George IV, in 1821. A viceroy represented the monarch in Hanover.

During the Seven Years' War on July 26, 1757 the Battle of Hastenbeck took place. The French army defeated the Hanoverian Army of Observation, leading to the occupation of Hanover.

After Napoleon imposed the Convention of Artlenburg (Convention of the Elbe) on July 5, 1803 about 30,000 French soldiers occupied Hanover. The convention also meant the disbanding of the army of Hanover. George III did not recognize the Convention of the Elbe and made an effort to recruit foreign troops. As a result a great number of soldiers of Hanover eventually...