The Free State of Thuringia is one of the New Federal States of Germany. It is has 2.5 million inhabitants and the biggest cities are Erfurt - the capital-, Gera, Jena and Weimar. Thuringia is situated right in the centre of Germany. It shares borders with Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, Hessen, Saxony and Lower Saxony. The state is easily accessible from the east and west, or from the north and south. Today the A4 follows the ancient Via Regia to form the most important east-west axis in central Europe. Scenic landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and lively traditions, historical towns, famous health resorts as well as therapeutic spas and adventure swimming pools are all threads woven into the richly textured tapestry of Thuringia.

Thuringia's strategy for the future is called innovation. A strong commitment to promoting research and development sets the pace. To realize its goals, the state administration fosters close cooperation between science and research, business and politics. Enterprises that display inventiveness are the driving force behind technological and economic progress. In Thuringia, these companies can rely on a close-knit network of achievement-oriented technology and research institutions: five universities (Jena, Ilmenau, Erfurt, and two in Weimar), four advanced technical colleges (Erfurt, Jena, Schmalkalden, Erfurt), eleven non-academic research institutes (in Jena, Ilmenau, Heiligenstadt, Tautenburg and Weimar), modern technology and business incubators (at every university location) and research institutions with close links to business offer ideal conditions for innovation and achievement.

http://www.thueringen.de/en