408. What type of Land (federal state) is North Rhine–Westphalia?

Answer options

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

Explanation

North Rhine–Westphalia is one of Germany’s 16 Länder and a territorial state (Flächenland), created in 1946 by the British military government from the Prussian Rhine Province and Westphalia and enlarged in 1947 by the former Free State of Lippe. Under the Basic Law (Arts. 20, 30, 70 et seq.), each Land has statehood, its own constitution (NRW since 1950), and original legislative competences, and participates in federal lawmaking via the Bundesrat. The distinction between city-states and territorial states is constitutionally recognized, whereas the label “Freistaat” is a historical-political self-designation without distinct legal effects. Accordingly, NRW is not a city-state and does not style itself a Free State; it is a typical Flächenland with several administrative tiers (including five Regierungsbezirke).