THE DISTRICT
1820
HISTORY
Prepared by the district and not verified
by Rotary Global History
District 1820 is located in the heart of Germany and includes the State of Hesse, with the exception of the
southern end of Darmstadt, with 64 Rotary Clubs (+ 1 Club in the process of formation) and currently 3,343 members.
The Rotary idea of "Service Above Self", which was launched by Paul Harris in Chicago, brings together all
Rotarians in friendship
Rotary is not just a service club, but an international community of values, with no boundaries between races, religions,
ethnic backgrounds and political views.
The Rotary year 2008/09 is under the President of the World DK Lee who formulated the motto
MAKE DREAMS REAL:
Let us dream of the terrible infectious diseases; to eradicate polio and infant and child mortality; to combat hunger and
thirst in the world; to help wherever we are needed.
Even though we know that 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide cannot solve all the major world problems, we still deliver our
contribution: In the 1980s every day in 125 countries, 1,000 children contracted polio. In 2006, nearly 2,000 in all Countries,
in 2007 less than 1,000 - thanks to the vaccination initiatives of Rotary donations with a volume of more than U.S. $1,600,000,000.
Ultimately, however, the major problems of our world can only be resolved through education: the fight against illiteracy
is one of our most urgent tasks of District 1820: School and studies scholarships for gifted children in the 3rd World
where many people can not afford education.
Also, we want the activities of the Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development (RFPD), the education about
sexually transmitted diseases and prevent unwanted pregnancies and the prevention and treatment of birth defects
and traumas.
Let us dream of something together with friends.
Looking at the District 1820, one can say: "This is Hesse!" It covers the largest part of the federal country,
except parts of South Hesse.
Hesse borders on six federal states and is located near the center of Germany-in the heart of Europe, surrounded by nine
neighbouring countries. About 5.5 million people live here.
Typical of the state of Hesse are the highlands where about 40% of our region is covered by woods and forests
All of these highlands are widely known for their many natural parks.
The people of Hesse do not have to travel far to find these beautiful recreation areas.
The south of the country is circumscribed by the major rivers Rhine and Main and the central industrial and trading
region, the Rhine-Main region.
Some forty percent of the population lives in Hesse, in the city of Frankfurt, with 650,000 residents the largest city in our district.
The Rhine-Main region in Germany after the Ruhr region's second largest city concentration, which in recent
years one of the regions with the largest growth throughout the EU have been ist.Mittelhessen is regarded as an
independent economy in the world, also a relief role for the Rhein - Main area and a bridge between South - and North
Hesse.
North Hesse is home to large and well-known companies and is due to the central location of the region in Europe
as a preferred location for the logistics industry.
The landscape is North Hesse through a wooded and compared to the average Hessian thin populated mountain
resources with high recreational value.
Center of the region is the documented city of Kassel, with its many art treasures, galleries, museums and palaces.
Kassel owes its incomparable art treasures its history as county.
Art lovers from all over the world flock to the collection of Dutch paintings including works by Rembrandt
and Rubens, to visit the world's most famous exhibition of contemporary art, or to enjoy the hand copies of
"Children - and house fairy tale" of the Brothers Grimm.
Grimm's "Children - and house Tale" is a world heritage document of UNESCO.
Hesse's economy, its industry, its craftsmanship, its landscape and its art treasures enjoy high reputation in the world.
They also played a major role in traffic conditions . There is a dense network of highways, roads and rail links, which
connect all centres.
Above all, Frankfurt, with one of the largest airports in the world, an international hub of the first order.
Hesse's economy is extremely versatile and also balanced in its structures.
Hesse is home to a large number of foreign companies that make their Europe or German base here.
District 1820 contains a wealth of historic buildings, monuments and numerous art works of old masters.
It is therefore natural that there are a large number of museums of any orientation in Hesse.
Many cathedrals, churches, castles, parks, city gates and preserved city walls bear witness to the Romans and Frankenzeit.
Everything here is characterized by people living and acting and is also reflected in the members of the Rotary Club.
There are more than 3,333 Rotarians (May 2007) in the total of 64 Rotary clubs.
The oldest Rotary Club in the District is the RC Frankfurt, the youngest club is the RC Frankfurt International.
All Rotary clubs in District 1820 maintain a very active club life and reality with great personal and financial commitment
many projects take place in the district and throughout the world.
In addition to these social projects, the promotion of young people is of particular importance.
There are many seminars where young professionals take part in our Group Study Exchange programs.
Fellows from Eastern Europe find support for their study in Germany.
Many clubs have long-standing relationships with Rotary Clubs in neighbouring countries.
In twelve Rotaract clubs in the District, meet young people aged 18 to 30 years in sponsorship of the Rotary Club.
In addition, our District has ten Inner Wheel Clubs, with many exemplary performances.
Charlotte Mori, District Governor 2007/08
This history extracted from a translation of the District's web site
on 10 August 2008 and not verified by RGHF
