A Question about Bavaria
 

Now i did some "research" on google about Bavaria (sp?) to answer a question i got when we were discussing BMW motors, me and my car-geeky friends.

I want the answer from a local, a german or bavarian (MUSH!! You're german, no?) tell me if Bavaria is infact considered german, or is the distinction made internationally only, while on the inside (in germany) being the same thing? Are bavarians called german? Is there a border?

I read it's called "The independant state of Bavaria" or something like that, does that mean they have separate passports?

No, Bavaria is part of Germany, they don't habe separate passports.

It's like say, asking if Texas is considered part of the US. Of course it is. Texas is a 'federal state', and Bavaria also is one. In german we call Texas a 'Bundesstaat' and the US a 'Staatenbund'. Bavaria on the other side would be a 'Bundesland' and Germany 'Bundesrepublik'.
AFAIK the english language doesn't differentiate between 'Bundesstaat' and 'Bundesland', both is translated to 'federal state'

cya
liquid

Thanks !

Mush? Anything to add?

There's loads of germans here mate. Will this thread be a failure if the most recognised one doesn't appear? Was this thread a veiled exercise in Summoning the Great One?

(pro tip: Shin, the figurehead of England, can be summoned by asking about beer)

You've got to know that Germany wasnt a nation before 1871. Here's a map for reference.

http://www.sentex.net/~thewiz/germany.jpg

Yes, Bavaria is part of Germany, although I've heard (from a German friend) that some people generally consider Bavaria "less" German than the other states. This mentality is alot more common in the northern parts of Germany, if I'm not mistaken. Again, as I said, I heard this from a German friend, so I can't really confirm if it's true or not, I only have that to go with.

Also, if I remember correctly, the reason why it might be considered "less" German was due to some historical remarks (see niki's map, probably later than that though), where the other states would be in conflicts with other countries but Bavaria wouldn't show its support.

LoL .. No offense buddy, i just honestly thought germans were rare on GFF, i stand corrected !

Bavaria is a Bundestaat (federal state) of Germany hence part of it. Bayern is also a "Freistaat" (free state), which doesn't mean it's fully independent from the Federal German Republic, though. The term Freistaat refers to the (good) old Kaiserreich when there was Prussia (70%) and several "free states" that did not belong to Prussia and therefore have a much stronger tradition than those states that were founded after WWII when Prussia was being dissolved. There are three federal states in Germany that are free states at the same time (Bavaria, Saxony, Thurignia).

Bear in mind though, that the term "Freistaat" does not have any political significance as of today. Bavaria is just one of the 16 Bundesländer (federal states) of Germany. Also, for correct terminology, Bavaria = Bayern in German, and BMW are the "Bayrische Motorenwerke" (Bavarian Motor Works).