n.
German Braunschweig
Former duchy, central Germany.
A possession of the Welf family, the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneberg was created by Emperor Frederick II and included the lands surrounding the town of Brunswick (founded late 9th century). The electorate of Hanover was included in 1692; its rulers established the English royal house of Hanover . The duchy became part of the German Empire in 1871 and a German state after 1919. After World War II the region was incorporated into the state of Lower Saxony. The city of Brunswick (pop., 2002 est.: 245,500) is today an important industrial centre.