Hanover is the capital and also the largest city of Lower Saxony, a state in Germany. It's a city rich in history and culture, having been the seat of various historical states such as the Principality of Calenberg and the Kingdom of Hanover. Today, Hanover is known for its prestigious educational institutions like the Hanover Medical School and Leibniz University, as well as for its significant trade fairs. The city's diverse cultural scene, historical architecture, and the annual Oktoberfest Hannover, the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world, make it a vibrant place to visit or live.