the highest unemployment rate of all German states, at 20.2%. However, the process of economic transformation towards a modern market economy seems to be completed. Massive investments in modern infrastructure have taken place since 1990, and the remaining and newly created businesses are highly competitive. For example, the industry has doubled its share of international revenue from 13 percent in 1995 to 26 percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate has fallen considerably. By 2010 the GDP of Saxony-Anhalt was almost two and a half times higher than it was in 1991. Even though part of this recovery was induced by the quite good performance of the Germany economy, Saxony-Anhalt did not only follow the national trend, but clearly outperformed other German states. For example, it got ahead of three German states in terms of unemployment (10.8%, as of September 2011): the German capital and city-state of Berlin (12.7%), the city-state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (11.3%) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (11%). The unemployment began to fall under 10% in 2016 and stood at 7.1% in October 2018. Structure The chemical industry is quite important, with almost 25,500 employees across 214 plants in 2010. One of the biggest chemical producing areas can be found around the city of Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Because of the chemical industry, Saxony-Anhalt attracts more foreign direct investments than any other state in eastern Germany. The state is the location of numerous wind farms producing wind-turbine energy. Saxony-Anhalt is also famous for its good soil. Hence, the food industry has an important role with almost 19,500 employees across 190 plants in 2010. Some of the best known products are Baumkuchen from Salzwedel and Halloren chocolate globes from Germany's oldest chocolate factory in Halle. Tourism Saxony-Anhalt has seven World Heritage Sites, the highest number of all states in Germany. Education Saxony-Anhalt has several universities, including: Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Harz University of Applied Studies Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg Merseburg University of Applied Sciences Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg Anthem "Lied für Sachsen-Anhalt" ("Song for Saxony-Anhalt") Motto: "Land of the Early Risers" See also Outline of Germany References External links Official governmental portal Official Directory 1990 establishments in Germany NUTS 1 statistical regions of the European Union States and territories established in 1990 States of Germany