Hanover (German: Hannover, French: Hanovre), is the capital of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) in Germany. 

Having a huge exhibition complex built for the World EXPO in 2000 and being host of several biggest exhibitions in the world, Hanover calls herself the "EXPO City" or "Exhibition City" (EXPO Stadt/Messestadt). Hanover was also one of the host cities of the football World Cup 2006. The major language spoken is German. English is not common, except during CeBIT or major international event.

Hanover is not a typical European city. Don't expect to see beautiful centuries-old buildings; the city was one of the hardest hit during the World War II, leaving it with only a few historical landmarks. Even the Old City (Altstadt) area is "new"; all the old houses left standing after the war (around 40) were taken from throughout the city and collected in one place.

Hanover has large green areas, with forests and big parks. The landscape is mostly flat, with the river Leine going through the city. The lake Masch (Maschsee) is rather spectacular, considering its size as a man-made object.

The city had a special relationship to the late French artist Niki de Saint-Phalle. She had several of her works in public spots in Hanover (i.e., "the Nanas", "the Cave" in the Great Garden) and also in the Sprengel Museum. To honor her contribution to Hanover, she was granted an honorary citizenship from the city government. Moreover, the recently renovated "underground" shopping passageway from the central station to Kröpcke was named "The Niki de Saint-Phalle Promenade".

Hanover's public services are excellent, due to major reconstruction for the World EXPO 2000. The shopping area under the train station was renovated in 2005-2006 in preparation for the football World Cup 2006.

Kröpcke

Kröpcke is a large pedestrian area in the heart of Hanover. It is Hanover's major shopping spot and has lots of eating possibilities. The underground tram station is the crossing point of all underground trams. Two tram lines that never go underground (10, 17) ran nearby (stops at 'Hauptbahnhof' or 'Steintor'). There is a big green clock in Kröpcke (KröpckeUhr) which serves as a meeting point. The Opera House is also located here.

Attractions and things to do:

• The Great Garden of Herrenhausen (Herrenhäuser Gärten). The world-famous baroque gardens of Herrenhausen were created in the 17th century to copy the Versailles Garden in France. A must see! Even in the winter one can still see its beauty, but it reaches its best at the end of spring until end of summer. There is also a glimmering cave decorated by Niki de Saint Phalle. Getting There: By tram, go to stop named "Herrenhauser Garten". By car, "Herrenhauser Str. 4, 30419". 
• Castle Marienburg (Schloss Marienburg). Marienburg 1, 30982 Pattensen (20km south of Hanover). Daily 10AM-6PM, April to November. €4.50 adult, €3 7-16, €2 up to 6. 
• Sea Life. Herrenhäuser Straße 4a (Tram 4 or 5, stop: Herrenhäuser Gärten) Is open from 10am daily. For exact opening times, call +49-511- 123300 , [hannover@sealife.de]. 
• Hannover Zoo  is very modern and supposed to be one of the best in Europe. The ticket is pricey but should be worth for a whole day of fun. Day tickets cost €18. 
• City Hall (Neues Rathaus). See the models of Hanover at four different points in history: 1600s, 1939, 1945, and 2000, and then go to the dome. 
• The Nanas, at the Leibnizufer. Giant sculptures made by Niki de Saint Phalle. 
• University of Hannover. The main building was the winter palace of the Kings of Hannover. (The summer palace was in the Great Garden complex. However, it was destroyed during the World War II. Now only one wall remains.) 
• Leibniz House, in Holzmarkt near the Historical Museum. The house where Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz lived during the later part of his life. 
• City park (Stadtpark), Theodor-Heuss-Platz 1-3 (Tram 10, direction Zoo, stop: Congress Centrum/Stadthalle.). This is worth visiting on a nice sunny day. Good place to relax with a good book. This is a favourite place of the elderly people, that is why this is a great hideaway from the crowded city center. 
• Tiergarten, Tiergartenstraße 149. A 112 hectares of recreational forest. 
• List, a residential area not so far from the Central Station. This area is popular among students and it has a nice pedestrian areas with some small interesting shops. 
• Eilenriede. 650 hectares of city forest, very unique considering its size and locataion in the middle of the city. 
• Home of Baron Munchhausen - in Bodenwerder - a village not far from Hannover (about 20 km south-east of Hamelin) 
• The Tourism Office (nearby Central Station), has self-guiding maps. Follow the red line which starts from the exit of the Tourism Office. The red line will pass all the major attractions of Hanover and can be completed on foot in 1.5 hours. Refer to the map for explanation everytime a number on the red line is encountered. 
• Walk or jog around the Maschsee, especially in the summer. In a (rare) very cold winter, the surface of the lake will be frozen and thick enough for ice skating. Make sure to join thousands of people there during this not-so-often time. 

Museums

Many museums (including the Landesmuseum, the Historical Museum, and the Kestner Museum) can be visited for free on Friday.

• Landesmuseum 
• Historical Museum 
• Sprengel Museum, Kurt-Schwitters-Platz, (any tram to Aegidientorplatz then walk 10 min to the direction of the lake, or Bus 131 from Kröpcke to stop Maschsee/Sprengel Museum) +49-511-16843875, fax +49-511-16845093. Tu 10AM-8PM, W-Su 10AM-6PM. Should not be missed by modern art lovers. Hosted a great number of art objects from the modern era (20th century). Objects include works from Picasso, Paul Klee, Niki de Saint-Phalle. €7 (adults), €4 (students, seniors, unemployed). 
• Wilhelm-Busch Museum, in Georgengarten, within the Great Garden (Tram 4 or 5 (Direction Garbsen/Stöcken) to stop Wilhelm-Busch Museum). Tu-F 11AM–5PM, Sa/Su/holiday 11AM–6PM. This museum hosts the unique collection of Busch’s work and other's satirical and humorous art. It is respected as the German Museum of Caricature and Critical Graphic Arts. €4.50, €10 family, €2.50 reduced. 
• Blindenmuseum Hannover, Bleekstraße 22, +49-511-52470. The museum hosts objects showing how blind people have been educated between 1843 and today. Free admission, but open only by appointment. 
• Kestner-Museum, Trammplatz 3, (Bus 131/132 stop: Aegidientorplatz, Bus 120 stop: Friedrichswall/Culemannstraße, Bus 250 stop: Bleichenstraße), +49-511-16842120. Tu/Th-Su 11AM-6PM, W 11AM-8PM. Objects include ones from ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek from the Middle Ages to the present times. €3.

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