Magdeburg

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Industrial city and capital of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, on the River Elbe; population (2003 est) 224,100. Products include chemicals, metal products, precision instruments, paper, textiles, and machinery; food-processing is also important, primarily in sugar refining and flour milling. A former capital of Saxony, Magdeburg became capital of Saxony-Anhalt on German reunification in 1990. A large inland port, the city was linked by canal with the Rhine and Ruhr rivers in 1938. It was heavily bombed during World War II; about 65% of the city, including the entire old city, was destroyed.

Magdeburg was a leading member of the Hanseatic League, and has a 13th-century Gothic cathedral (damaged by bombing). There is a technical university here. Magdeburg county has an area of 11,530 sq km/4,451 sq mi, and a population of 1,250,000.

Known as ‘white sun in blue sky’, the flag of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Zhong Shan appears in the canton. The rays of the sun represent 12 traditional Chinese hours (each equalling two hours) symbolizing progress. Red is a traditional Chinese colour. Effective date: 8 October 1928. >>