#lower rhine area

[dothob]

spring again

still drowning, lower rhine area, 2024

[barbucomedie]

Weisenau Type Legionary Helmet from the Lower Rhine, Germany dated to the 1st Century CE on display at the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle, England

The area around the Lower Rhine marked a loose border between the Roman Empire and the unsubdued Germanic tribes from the 1st century to the 3rd. Under the Flavian Dynasty numerous forts were built and guarded by legions along the border.

The Weisenau Type helmet is one of the more common helmet types found in Germany but was not the only helmet type used in the Roman legions. The older Montefortino helmet based on the Celtic style was still commonly used as well.

Photographs taken by myself 2023

[waidwund]

power station running on wood chips – town in the left lower rhine area, germany // 03-2019 © 2019 waidwund-photo  

[forestenjoyer]

(WIP) Rivers of Ehrð

So this has been in the works for several months, and will be likely for several more, but i have been working on a global map showing the river networks of my fictional version of Earth. They are broadly the same as the real world but due to differences in rainfall and climate there are differences. (open for zoomed in images)

There are no endorheic basins, meaning all water eventually reaches the ocean, and global mean sea level is about 20 metres lower.

Anyway, I have just finished mapping and tracing out the basins for every river which is over 1000km long in the real world, as well as some others in areas that are too arid in real life to be true rivers.

Regional Maps

For convenience of reading and because I haven't got names for everything yet, I will use the real life region names. If a river has it's own name in my world I will also use that.

I will list the rivers in a clockwise direction along coastlines, usually starting from the edge of the map. rivers on islands will go after the rest. Green names mean that i have my own name for the river in the fictional world.

Northern North America

Fraser

Kuskokwim

Yukon

Mackenzie

Rest of North America

Misinipi (Churchill)

Nelson

St Lawrence

Mississippi

Brazos

Colorado (Texas)

Grande

Santiago

Colorado (The one with the Grand Canyon)

Columbia

South America

Magdalena

Orinoco

Essequibo

Amaru (Amazon)

São Francisco

Plait/Plate (la Plata)

Europe

Kızıl

Dona (Don)

Dnieper

Dniester

Danube

Tagus

Loire

Rhine

Elbe

Blac/Black (river draining what would be the Baltic Sea)

Northern Dvina

Pexohra (Pechora)

I'm not listing the ones on the island next to Britain, which is named Fairixant

North Africa

Niger

Volta

Gambia

Senegal

Tamanrasset

Hamra (Saguia el-Hamra)

Draa

Chott el Djerid

Sahabi

Nile

Southern and Central Africa

Jubba

Zambezi

Limpopo

Orange

Congo

Ogooué

India and Middle East

Patma (Ganges-Brahmaputra)

Godavari

Krishna

Narmada

Indus

Helmand

Minab

Shatt al-Arab (Arab)

Matti

East and Southeast Asia

Songhua

Huwan (Huang He/Yellow)

Yangtze

Pehrl (Pearl)

Red/Hong

Mekong

Lapaina (Irriwaddy/Salween)

Western Siberia

Corta (Ob)

Onesi (Yenisei)

Eastern Siberia

Khatanga

Lena

Suluma (Kolyma)

Anian (Anadyr)

Amur

Oceania and Borneo

Mamberamo

Sepik

Fly

Murray

Kati Thanda

Flinders

Kapuas

Barito

[girlactionfigure]

ISRAEL REALTIME - "Connecting the World to Israel in Realtime"

Morning - Nov 23

🔻ROCKETS from LEBANON… Yir’on, Shlomi, Arab al-Aramshe, multiple rounds.  Barrage towards HaGalil HaElyon, Merom, Bar Yochai, Merom HaGalil Regional Center.

🔸 HOSTAGE RELEASE on hold.  CEASEFIRE on hold.  Spokesman of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs:  The announcement of the effective date of the ceasefire agreement will be in the next few hours.

◾️FREE FOR BLACK FRIDAY - SHARE US FOR FREE WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY… Send them these links, they click - they’re in!  No charge for Black Friday (or any day)!  Telegram .. https://t.me/Israel_Realtime_Updates  WhatsApp .. https://chat.whatsapp.com/EmdRJbRbvyP69dzM6KcXlK

◾️GAZA - INDONESIAN HOSPITAL… “Israel asked us to evacuate the Indonesian hospital within 4 hours.”

◾️IDF ATTACKS HEZBOLLAH… son of a member of parliament on behalf of Hezbollah was killed in an Israeli attack in Beit Yahon in southern Lebanon.  Israel hit a number of private homes of Hezbollah leaders associates.  Enemy reports are coming about the assassination of the commander of a primary Hezbollah force.  

◾️IDF ATTACKS LEBANON… (enemy sources) Israel attacked from the air in the last hour near the villages of Bustan and Yarine in the western sector in southern Lebanon.  A Lebanese report of hearing explosions and exchange of machine gun fire on the border line in front of Bint Jebel, at the same time intense air force flights.

Hezbollah reports yesterday had 12 military operations against Israel.

◾️SIGNIFICANT BATTLES IN GAZA… reports of many air strikes with enemy forces killed, dozens of attacks were carried out all over the Strip, including attacks by the Navy on targets in the west of Gaza City.

◾️MENTALLY UNSTABLE MAN ATTACKS, “EAST” JERUSALEM - by JEBAL MOKBAR (ג'בל מוכבר)… (area - east of Tzomet Allenby, by Ala’r St) security forces thought they were being attacked by a terrorist, shot attacker.  Attacker turned out to be a mentally unstable Jewish Israeli.

◾️GERMANY RAIDS HAMAS… German police conducted raids on properties in four states connected to Hamas and Samidoun.  "With the bans on Hamas and Samidoun in Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any glorification or support of the barbaric terror of Hamas against Israel.  Islamists and ant-Semites must not feel safe anywhere.”  Searches carried out in Berlin,  Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein.

[haljathefangirlcat]

Sorry for the spam. I have a lot of Volsung-Nibelung-Dietrich Cycle thoughts. But what do you think Volker's early life was like? His job is minstrel, which means two things in a medieval context: a knight with no real estate who was someone else's retainer, and traveling musician, and very often these two meanings would overlap, because knights with no independent income would take up music to make ends meet. However, the official establishment of minstrels/ministerialis as a social institution was around the Carolinian empire, which is later than original historical inspiration for the death of the Nibelung Dynasty or Attila. And I think the German is Volker Spielman, so he's technically just a musician? Volker is also called THE Minstrel, so was he the official court poet for the Burgundians? Scops of England and Skalds of Scandinvia had a fairly prominent position at court, where they not only entertained and recounted the deeds of their leaders, but also recited oral history and use satirical songs to spur people into action on the eve of battles or quests, so do you think Volker was filling this role for the Burgundians?

Aww, don't worry about it! Sure, it was a bit... unexpected, I guess, but that's mostly because I'm not used that many asks, in a row or not, on any topic. XD Also, I totally get the excitement of meeting someone else on here willing to talk about all of this. ;)

As for Volker... you know, I've often wondered about it, too. In the Nibelungenlied, at least, he seems to be placed pretty firmly in Gunther's court, but then again, we don't actually see that much of him before the Burgundians travel to Attila's court and the story starts (imo) zeroing in on Hagen's relationships and connections.

I'm pretty sure "Spielman" is the right term, but on the other hand, I'm not sure if that would indicate a very specific/well-defined role or be more of a "he's the Music Guy in our group, we identify him by his music before any other achievement or title."

Later representations/adaptations of him may not be very relevant to the question, but now that I'm thinking about it, he seems to be THE court poet in Worms in both Lang's and Reinl's Die Nibelungen movies. (Although, frankly, I've always thought he doesn't get enough space or importance in the former.) Stephan Grundy, too, gives him that kind of role in Rhinegold and Attila's Treasure, even if, due to setting his story in Late Antiquity, complete with Germanic migrations, foederati, and wary Romans, he puts more emphasis on him being not just a musician but a keeper of the Burgundians' mythological, historical, and genealogical lore. He also has him act as a messenger and an ambassador of sort between tribes.

I'm also thinking back to this one academic paper... "Volker von Alzey - the figure of the minstrel and standard~bearer in medieval Nibeîungen tradition and in German literature from 1819 to 1968" by David Noble. Bear with me because I read it ages ago, but iirc, at one point the author considered, among other theories on Volker's origins as a literary figure, the hypothesis that the Volker von Alzey we get specifically in the Nibelungenlied might have inspired by an historical nobleman from the Rhine area who was an Imperial administrator (or seneschal?) and standard-bearer who might have just happened to have a talent for music.

In my headcanons, I kind of always go for an aristocrat warrior/court poet angle, as it seems the neatest solution to me, but no matter what prominence and sway on other nobles and royals through his talents, eloquence, and wit I think up for him, I also generally picture him as... like, lower nobility, in a sense? Or at least, lower than, say, Hagen, who gets the "his ancestors totally descended from the Trojans" treatment in the Waltharius. Both because I enjoy the idea of Volker being just a bit of a self-made man, and because I really, really like the idea of the Volker/Hagen friendship (... or "friendship" ;)) and, more than that, their respect for each other and ability to discuss things as equals (like the "we should stand from the bench for Kriemhild" thing or, later, the "please don't go fight a bunch of Huns on your own" thing during the night watch... both arguments Hagen wins in the end, but he does that by convincing Volker and appealing to the affection they feel for each other, not by ordering Volker around) going easily beyond that kind of stuff.

... also, I thiiiiiink there's a little bit in Adventure 33, or anyway during the fight between the Burgundians and the Huns, where Hagen mentions to Gunther that he has a higher position than Volker when they all sit at a table together, and that he thinks Volker should get to wear finer clothes than he currently does? But I might be misremembering (or misinterpreting!) either the phrasing or the intention of that. So take that with a grain of salt, lol.

[simplicius-simplicissimus]

Germany‘s ancient history in short and the development of „language“ in Central Europe

“Germans” (or „Deutsche“ - that is how we call us) are descendants of “Germanic peoples” - that is why the British call our country “Germany”. Originally, we owe the term “Germanic peoples” to the ancient Greeks - which was later adopted by the Romans (more precisely Julius Caesar). Julius Caesar distinguished between the „Celtic peoples“ who settled on the left side of the Rhine river, and the „Germanic peoples“ who settled on the right side. The term „Germanic peoples“ in this context referred to all different tribes who settled there at that time. After the fall of the Roman Empire (the Germanic „Odoacer“, or „Odoaker“ overthrew the last Western Roman Emperor), Europe looked like this in the late 5th century:

Source: „XPosition“ (2013), Central Europe at the end of the 5th century, Wikipedia, CC License

A large and important „Germanic tribe“ were the Franks („Franken“ - where „Frankreich“ is derived from and how Germans call „France“). They spoke their own language until the 8th century and called it “Frengisk” („Frankish“) or in Latin „Franconian“. Other large Germanic tribes were the Alemannians („Alamannen“ - where “Alemagne” is derived from and how the French call „Germany“), Burgundians („Burgunder“), Thuringians („Thüringer“), Saxons („Sachsen“), Angles („Angeln“ - where „Anglais“ or „English“ is derived from), Frisians („Friesen“) - but also Goths („Gothen“ - West and East Goths) were Germanic tribes.

Most Germans speak a quite good „High German“ today - but based on the used dialect or the timbre of the language, Germans can often recognize which region of Germany their compatriot comes from. This corresponds more or less to the former settlement areas of these Germanic tribes - although other local dialects have also developed over time. For example, I can tell from the „Saxon dialect” that someone comes from the „Saxon area“ of Germany. Whereas the part of Germany depicted above in the map as „Saxony“ („Sachsen“) corresponds more to today‘s „Lower Saxony“ („Niedersachsen“) where Germans speak „High German“ without dialect - so it seems that there is the origin of the German language used today. If some Germans speak pure dialect, it can be that they even cannot be understood by their compatriots.

Germanic tribes spread mainly in Central Europe and southern Scandinavia - as well as in England, on the Iberian peninsula and some eastern Europe parts. Therefore, Germanic tribes had a great influence in Europe - at least in Central Europe. And Central Europeans are more or less related to each other. One common basis of those Germanic tribes was their similar use of language. I recognized years ago that the Norwegian language must be related to the German language, since I could understand all written words of an Norwegian brochure. Generally, Scandinavians can understand each other quite well as long as they use the „written language“. Along with German, English is the most spoken Germanic-based language.

Back to the Franks. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks have been very busy for 300 years to conquer all of Germany and France. The map below (green parts) shows the Franconian territory around 800 at the time of „Charlemagne“ („Karl der Grosse“ or „Charles the Great“ or „Charles le Magne“) - who was ultimately crowned Roman Emperor and was therefore considered the successor to Western Roman Emperors. The French and Germans claim Charlemagne as the founder of their nations.

Source: „Semhur“ (2008), Map of the rise of Frankish Empire, from 481 to 814, Wikipedia, CC Licence

The Franks spoke in the today’s French part of their territory the so-called peasant Latin "rusticam romanam" - from which the French language later developed (French as well as Spanish, Portuguese and of course Italian are Latin-based languages). But some Franks also spoke pure Latin, while others continued to speak the Germanic-based language (especially in the today’s German parts of the territory).

The term “Frengisk” („Frankish“ or „Franconian“) was no longer clear and existed no longer as a language. For those who still spoke the Germanic-based language, a new term had to be found that clearly demarcated the language. This term was created from the Germanic word “theoda”, meaning “people”, and given the Latin ending “-iscus”. “Theodiscus” were the Franks who spoke the Germanic-based language, in contrast to the Franks who had adopted peasant Latin as their language. “Theodiscus” later became “diutsch” in Old High German, “düdesch” in Low German and “teutsch” in High German.

In 843, the Treaty of Verdun divided the Frankish Empire into West (grey), Central (orange) and East (blue) Frankish parts. The division reflected an adherence to the old Frankish custom of partible or divisible inheritance amongst a ruler's sons, rather than primogeniture (inheritance by the eldest son) - therefore the division was nothing more than a dispute over inheritance, as occurs in the best families today.

Source: „Furfur“ (2019), Partition of Francia after the Treaty of Verdun 843, Wikipedia, CC License

The last revision of the division of the Frankish Empire took place in the Treaty of Ribemont in 880. The north of the central part was added to the eastern Frankish part. The rest of the central part was divided into the Kingdom of Burgundy and the later Kingdom of Italy. France later emerged from the Western Frankish Empire (and the Kingdom of Burgundy) and the „Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation“ from the Eastern Frankish Empire (and the Kingdom of Italy). The language border was mainly used as a reference point for the division. The following map shows the Kingdom of France (olive green), Kingdom of Burgundy (orange area on the left) and the „Holy Roman Empire of German Nation“ (red demarcation lines) in the 10th century.

Source: „Captain Blood“ (2005), The German and Italian Reigns of Ottonian and Salic Emperors (and Neighboring Kingdoms), Wikipedia, CC License

The „Holy Roman Empire of German Nation“ existed more or less in the borders shown in the drawing above until the Napoleonic era. Napoleon restructured Germany quite a bit and wanted to establish a new "Roman Empire" in Europe - there was a reason why he had himself crowned „Emperor of France“. And why not - because both the French and the Germans could claim to be the heirs of "Charlemagne"?

Ironically, the fall of Napoleon led to a further division of the „German Empire“ and the emergence of Prussia as the dominant power in Germany - ultimately leading to the Prussian king being proclaimed "German Emperor". The title „emperor“ seemed to be important to show the legitimacy of this dominance. The rest of the history is quite known.

This brief outline of history shows how closely related Europeans (especially central Europeans) actually are. Our understanding of the state, law, religion and general coexistence has its roots in Greco-Roman antiquity, whose ideas and values ​​shaped this continent. Its heirs have tried to preserve and continue this legacy - sometimes better, unfortunately often worse.

„The more I've traveled, the more I've actually become aware of my own identity - also as German and European.“

-Simplicius Simplicissimus

[koreangermanium]

The 16 States of Germany: Exploring the Diversity and Unity

Germany, renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and economic prowess, is a country that consists of 16 distinct states, each with its own unique character and charm. From the bustling metropolitan areas to the serene countryside landscapes, Germany showcases a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. Let's embark on a journey to discover the 16 states that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of this remarkable nation.

Table of Contents

- Introduction - Schleswig-Holstein: Where Land Meets Sea - Bavaria: A Tale of Traditions - Berlin: The Heart of Modernity - Baden-Württemberg: Innovation and Greenery - Saxony: Where History and Culture Converge - Hamburg: Gateway to the World - North Rhine-Westphalia: Industrious and Dynamic - Lower Saxony: Nature's Abode - Hesse: Where Urbanity Meets Heritage - Rhineland-Palatinate: Vineyards and Beyond - Brandenburg: Castles and Lakes - Thuringia: Enchanting Landscapes - Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Coastal Beauty - Saxony-Anhalt: Of Art and Architecture - Saarland: Small yet Significant - Bremen: A Tale of Two Cities - Conclusion - FAQs - What is the significance of Germany's division into states? - Which state is known for its Oktoberfest celebrations? - What makes Berlin a unique capital city? - Which state is famous for its automotive industry? - Are the states of Germany culturally diverse?

Introduction

Germany's federal structure comprises 16 states, often referred to as Bundesländer. This decentralized system empowers each state to have its own constitution, government, and educational policies while collaborating on national matters.

Schleswig-Holstein: Where Land Meets Sea

Nestled between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein is renowned for its stunning coastline, charming villages, and maritime heritage. Visitors are drawn to its pristine beaches, and the iconic port city of Kiel hosts the renowned Kiel Week sailing event.

Bavaria: A Tale of Traditions

Bavaria, famous worldwide for its traditional culture, picturesque landscapes, and iconic Oktoberfest, embraces both its history and innovation. The state boasts fairytale castles like Neuschwanstein and a thriving technology sector.

Berlin: The Heart of Modernity

The capital city, Berlin, stands as a symbol of unity and progress. Rich in history, it houses iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, while also being a haven for artists, entrepreneurs, and diverse cultures.

Baden-Württemberg: Innovation and Greenery

Known for its high standard of living, Baden-Württemberg combines technological innovation with natural beauty. It's home to global automobile companies and the enchanting Black Forest region.

Saxony: Where History and Culture Converge

Saxony's historic cities like Dresden and Leipzig are cultural treasures. With a legacy of classical music, ornate architecture, and cutting-edge research, Saxony is a dynamic hub of art and innovation.

Hamburg: Gateway to the World

Hamburg, a bustling port city, has a maritime legacy that extends to its modernity. Its famous harbor, impressive architecture, and vibrant nightlife make it a global hub of trade and culture.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Industrious and Dynamic

This economic powerhouse, known as NRW, encompasses major cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf. With a rich industrial history, it's a melting pot of creativity, business, and diverse communities.

Lower Saxony: Nature's Abode

Lower Saxony is blessed with natural beauty, boasting the Wadden Sea National Park and serene landscapes. Hannover, its capital, seamlessly blends urban amenities with a tranquil environment.

Hesse: Where Urbanity Meets Heritage

In Hesse, the metropolis of Frankfurt contrasts with charming historic towns like Heidelberg. It's a financial center with a touch of tradition, offering a balanced urban and rural experience.

Rhineland-Palatinate: Vineyards and Beyond

This wine-producing region showcases medieval architecture, particularly in its capital, Mainz. Rhineland-Palatinate's rolling vineyards, combined with cultural heritage, make it a visual and culinary delight.

Brandenburg: Castles and Lakes

Surrounding Berlin, Brandenburg is a nature lover's paradise. Its serene lakes, picturesque countryside, and a plethora of castles create an idyllic escape from the urban bustle.

Thuringia: Enchanting Landscapes

Thuringia's dense forests and charming towns inspired poets like Goethe and Schiller. Erfurt and Weimar are cultural hotspots, offering insights into Germany's intellectual history.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Coastal Beauty

The Baltic Sea coastline defines this state, where seaside resorts and historic towns abound. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility.

Saxony-Anhalt: Of Art and Architecture

Home to the Bauhaus movement, this state celebrates modern art and design. Saxony-Anhalt's cultural offerings extend to historic Magdeburg and the scenic Harz mountains.

Saarland: Small yet Significant

Saarland's picturesque landscapes and unique blend of French and German influences make it an intriguing destination. Its industrial heritage and natural beauty create a distinctive identity.

Bremen: A Tale of Two Cities

Bremen and Bremerhaven, two cities within this smallest state, offer maritime history and modern innovation. Bremen's UNESCO-listed market square and the German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven provide diverse experiences.

Conclusion

Germany's 16 states showcase a harmonious blend of traditions, innovation, nature, and culture. Each state contributes to the nation's identity, reminding us of the diversity that unites this remarkable country.

FAQs

- What is the significance of Germany's division into states? Germany's federal structure empowers states with autonomy while fostering unity on a national level. - Which state is known for its Oktoberfest celebrations? Bavaria is renowned for hosting the world-famous Oktoberfest, a celebration of Bavarian culture. - What makes Berlin a unique capital city? Berlin is a melting pot of art, history, and modernity, reflecting Germany's complex history and contemporary vitality. - Which state is famous for its automotive industry? Baden-Württemberg, with cities like Stuttgart, is a hub of automobile manufacturing and technological innovation. - Are the states of Germany culturally diverse? Yes, each state has its own distinct culture, traditions, and characteristics, contributing to Germany's rich diversity. Read the full article

[survivethejive]

Little confused here. I understand that Germanic culture emerged from the Late NBA, but in your video, “The development of Germanic material culture” you said “Germanic culture begins with the Battle-Axe culture.” Also in your awesome speech which I loved, “the History of Britain and her people,” you said “the lower Rhine Bell-Beaker culture gave birth to the Celtic peoples and the Germanic peoples.”

The first video you mention is from 5 years ago. The video traces material culture not language. The BAC introduced IE culture to Scandinavia and in that way is ancestral to the Germanic culture but is not the source of Germanic language. The BBC culture of the Rhine area expanded south to central europe where it mixed with others to form Celtic (see my video on origin of celts) but it also went north east and mixed with SGC and BAC to form Germanic culture. Whether Celtic or Germanic languages come from BBC is impossible to tell but the BBC are certainly ancestral to both peoples.

[gwendolynlerman]

Deutschribing Germany

Geography

The Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is located in Central Europe. It is the seventh-largest country by area and the second by population in Europe.

Germany borders Denmark and the Baltic and North seas to the north, the Czech Republic and Poland to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands to the west.

Federal states

Germany is a federation of sixteen constituent states (Länder). Each state (Land) has its own constitution, police force, and education system.

Each state is divided into districts (Kreise), which number 401 in total. This is a list of each state and its capital city with their English translations (when they differ):

Baden-Württemberg – Stuttgart

Bayern (Bavaria) – München (Munich)

Berlin – Berlin

Brandenburg – Potsdam

Bremen – Bremen

Hamburg – Hamburg

Hessen (Hesse) – Wiesbaden

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Schwerin

Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) – Hannover (Hanover)

Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia) – Düsseldorf

Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate) – Mainz

Saarland – Saarbrücken

Sachsen (Saxony) – Dresden

Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt) – Dresden

Schleswig-Holstein – Kiel

Thüringen (Thuringia) – Erfurt

[savvytravelers]

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[waidwund]

kleinstadtangst left lower rhine area, germany // 10-2021 © 2021 waidwund-photo  

[makima-s-most-smile]

Ringneck Parakeets also established themselves in the Lower Rhine Bay area in Germany from escaped birds. They have swarms in cologne and Düsseldorf and many other cities. They survive there due to the milder winters, but local shops and cafes want them gone due to their poop.

Right now, there aren't enough observations to understand the impact of the neozooen on the local bird population, especially if they are in competition with other cavity nesters.

There are swarms in Belgium, in the Netherlands and in Great Britain, too. I fed some in Hide Park in London.

Funfact :

Years ago in Ile de France in France, a shipment of birds from a plane escaped. So now years later, we have pigeon, crows, magpies and theses guys

ringneck parakeets!! they’re a huge problem in a lot of places which is hard because they’re common in the pet trade and they’re super affectionate, interesting birds. in the US we have some of these but the invasive parrots we have the biggest struggle with is quaker parrots (monk parakeets) because they build large - flammable by nature - nests on telephone poles

[earaercircular]

Plant for the production of lithium opened in Germany

A valuable raw material is stored underground on the Upper Rhine: lithium. The alkali metal is a component for batteries in electric cars, for example. A company is now planning extensive funding in the southwest.

The raw material lithium, which is important for car batteries, among other things, is to be extracted from the Upper Rhine Graben[1] on a significant scale. The company Vulcan Energy (Karlsruhe)[2] opened a plant for the production of lithium on a ton scale in Landau[3], Palatinate on Thursday 23-11 - as a preliminary stage of a commercial plant.

From 2026 onwards, lithium chloride will be pre-produced and refined into the end product lithium hydroxide in Frankfurt-Höchst, as Vulcan founder Horst Kreuter said in Landau. “We are expecting 24,000 tonnes per year in project phase one, which is enough for 500,000 car batteries per year.”

The system presented on Thursday cost around 40 million euros; Kreuter put the total investment volume for the first project phase, including drilling, at around 1.4 billion euros. “Estimates suggest that 40 percent of the European demand for lithium and even 100 percent of the German demand could be covered in the Upper Rhine Graben,” said Kreuter.

Like cobalt, lithium is considered one of the most important raw materials for batteries. There it is important for storing electricity in charged form. The lithium-ion battery is also used in smartphones and computers.[4]

Materials scientist Volker Presser sees advantages of extracting lithium in the region, with short distances to car factories. “The extraction of lithium from water, which is used for electricity and heat anyway, also enables significantly improved economic efficiency,” said the Professor of Energy Materials at the INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials[5]. This is important in order to reduce the overall CO2 footprint of batteries and electric cars. “A real location advantage.” At the same time, the dependence on international supply chains and “critical” countries of origin is reduced.

“The focus on lithium currently makes a lot of sense - and the Upper Rhine Graben area in particular is characterized by economically interesting lithium concentrations,” emphasized Presser. Beyond geothermal energy, battery recycling is of enormous importance. “It is enforced by EU rules and economic interest is promoted in order to develop further lithium sources,” emphasized the expert. The currently small amount of used batteries is a challenge. “But that will change in the foreseeable future.”

The German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND)[6] also believes it makes sense to set up its own local production facilities to meet the high lithium demand for mobile power storage systems such as vehicles. “When importing from countries with lower social and environmental standards, injustice and exploitation can quickly occur,” said speaker Michael Ullrich from the Rhineland-Palatinate regional association[7]. Extracting lithium from the deep water obtained from deep geothermal energy could be a sensible option. “There are of course precautionary measures to be taken to protect the groundwater, such as securely sealing the boreholes,” said Ullrich.

At the plant in Landau, Vulcan Energy wants, among other things, to train its team with a view to the planned commercial production. The aim is to use deep geothermal energy to extract CO2-neutral lithium from thermal water in the Upper Rhine Graben. In geothermal systems, the heat from water from the depths is used. In the Upper Rhine Graben, the thermal water contains lithium, which is to be filtered out before being pumped back into the ground.

The lithium chloride obtained in the current plant is converted in Höchst into the end product lithium hydroxide, which is then tested by Vulcan partners such as Stellantis, Volkswagen and Renault.

Source

dpa-Newskanal, Anlage zur Produktion von Lithium eröffnet, in: Süddeutsche Zeitung, 23-11-2023, https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/oberrheingraben-anlage-zur-produktion-von-lithium-eroeffnet-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-231122-99-43596

[1] The Upper Rhine Plain (in German: Oberrheinische Tiefebene), also known in natural terms as the Upper Rhine Lowland or, more rarely, the Upper Rhine-Lower Main Depression (in German: Oberrhein-Untermain-Senke[), is a lowland about 300 km long and up to 40 km wide on the upper middle reaches of the Rhine (the Upper Rhine). between the cities of Basel (Switzerland) in the south and Frankfurt am Main (Germany) in the north. The plain was created by a rift that reached deep into the earth's crust and was later filled with sediments. It is called the Upper Rhine Graben (in German: Oberrheingraben).

[2] Vulcan’s purpose is to empower a net zero carbon future to supply lithium chemicals and renewable energy from Europe, for Europe from its Zero Carbon Lithium™ Project. https://v-er.eu/

[3] Landau (Palatine German: Landach), officially Landau in der Pfalz (German pronunciation: [ˈlandaʊ ɪn deːɐ ˈpfalts]), is an autonomous (kreisfrei) town surrounded by the Südliche Weinstraße ("Southern Wine Route") district of southern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is a university town (since 1990), a long-standing cultural centre, and a market and shopping town, surrounded by vineyards and wine-growing villages of the Palatinate wine region. Landau lies east of the Palatinate forest, on the German Wine Route.

[4] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/693913252060594176/inventor-of-clean-belgian-super-battery-wants-to?source=share

[5] New materials are the driving force for new technologies. The INM combines multidisciplinary science and material-oriented technology transfer under one roof. Chemistry, physics, biology, materials science and engineering work together in close cooperation at a high level. A key focus of our work is the transfer of biological principles to the design of new materials, structures and surfaces. Our results have potential applications in flexible displays and intelligent gripper arms, powerful batteries and efficient solar cells, as well as technologies for personalized therapies and regenerative medicine. The INM, based in Saarbrücken, is networked with numerous research organizations and technology companies worldwide. It is closely linked to Saarland University through five joint professorships. The INM is an institute of the Leibniz Association and employs around 250 people. https://www.leibniz-inm.de/institut/ueber-uns/

[6] Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland is a German non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to preserving nature and protecting the environment. The name means "German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation". Its subtitle Friends of the Earth Germany indicates that BUND is a member organisation of the international network Friends of the Earth (FoE).

[7] Rhineland-Palatinate is a western state of Germany. It covers 19,846 km2 and has about 4.05 million residents. It is the ninth largest and sixth most populous of the sixteen states. Mainz is the capital and largest city. Other cities are Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern, Worms and Neuwied. It is bordered by North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse and by France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

[bizarrepotpourri]

“Execution sites mostly lie along major roads. If a stranger wanted to near a dominion, he first had to pass the gallows - a clear warning to behave themselves.

Auler and his colleagues are still researching these and other facts. By now they are able to reconstruct the imposing gallows and to retrace the daily life of executioners. In addition to killing, part of their job was to arrange and display the corpses in as gruesome a manner as possible. A discovery in Langenfeld in the Rhine region demonstrated that the areas around execution sites would be set up in gruesome fashion. An excavator discovered the skull of a young woman that still bore remains of a hood with expensive brocade lace. An iron nail almost a half meter long was pierced through the entire skull. The executioner had used the nail to fix her severed head onto a post.

It looked similar to the famous skull found in 1878 in Hamburg, often attributed to the pirate Klaus Störtebeker or his crony Gödeke Michels. The post the skull hung on had rotted away and left stains in the ground, so-called "post holes."

Of course, convicts might also have suffered by way of the notorious "wheel." This punishment was reserved for the worst of all crimes, murder or treason. Using the wheel involved pegging the convict down on the ground with his or her extremities spread wide. Then the executioner would repeatedly drop an iron-mounted wheel onto the victim.

A skeleton from Friedlandburg near Göttingen demonstrates what kind of mess this brutal procedure produced. The ribs are shattered, lower legs and forearms broken, the skull's left temple shattered.”

Jost Auler is a German historian specializing in the history of law and its enforcement in Germany. I learned his name from an interview with his Polish colleague working on the same topics, Daniel Wojtucki - and research done by both did significantly influence my writing, to be honest.

[marketsizereports]

The Germany Life Insurance Market: Key Players and Competitors

The life insurance market in Germany is characterized by a competitive landscape with several key players and competitors. These insurance companies offer a range of life insurance products to cater to the diverse needs of policyholders.

To gain more information about the Germany life insurance market forecast, download a free report sample

Here are some of the major players in the German life insurance market:

Allianz Group: Allianz is one of the largest and most prominent insurance groups in Germany and globally. It offers a wide array of life insurance products, including term life, whole life, and unit-linked insurance, serving both individual and corporate clients.

AXA Group: AXA is a leading insurance and financial services provider in Germany. The company offers various life insurance options, such as endowment policies, annuities, and pension plans.

Generali Deutschland: Generali is a major player in the German life insurance market, offering a comprehensive range of life and pension products. These include savings and investment policies, risk coverage, and retirement planning solutions.

Hannover Re: Hannover Re is a global reinsurance company headquartered in Germany. It partners with insurance companies to underwrite life insurance policies and manage risk. While not a direct insurer, it plays a significant role in the market.

Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank offers life insurance products in partnership with insurers. Through its subsidiaries and partnerships, the bank provides life insurance solutions to its customers, often as part of broader financial planning services.

R+V Versicherung: R+V is a cooperative insurer and one of the top players in the German life insurance market. It provides various life insurance products, including risk coverage, savings, and retirement planning solutions.

Nürnberger Versicherung: Nürnberger is known for its diverse life insurance offerings, including term life, whole life, and disability insurance. The company caters to both individual and corporate clients.

ERGO Group: ERGO, part of the Munich Re Group, is a significant life insurance provider in Germany. It offers a range of life and pension insurance products, often in collaboration with its distribution partners.

Provinzial Nordwest: Provinzial Nordwest is a regional insurer, primarily operating in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. It offers life insurance and pension solutions to customers in its operating areas.

Württembergische Versicherung: Württembergische is a well-established insurance company in Germany, known for its life insurance and retirement planning products. It serves individual policyholders and corporate clients.

These key players compete in the German life insurance market by offering a mix of traditional and innovative insurance solutions, as well as various investment and savings options. Additionally, the market includes many smaller and niche insurers, brokers, and digital insurance startups, further contributing to competition and choice for consumers.

The German life insurance market is highly regulated, and the country has a strong insurance culture, with a significant portion of the population holding life insurance policies. Competition in the market remains fierce, with players constantly adapting to changing consumer preferences, regulatory developments, and global economic trends.