Chemnitz is the third-largest city in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is situated in the northern foothills of the Erzgebirge, and is an important industrial center. The city has a population of about 246,000.
The city was founded in the late 12th century by the Ascanian margraves of Brandenburg. In the early 13th century, the city became the capital of an independent principality. From 1485 to 1571, it was the residence of the dukes of Saxony. The city became part of the Kingdom of Saxony in 1806. After the end of World War II, the city was part of East Germany. Following German reunification in 1990, it became the capital of the Free State of Saxony.
The city's economy is based on the service sector, the high-tech industry, and metalworking. Chemnitz is home to the Chemnitz University of
