22 Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: Today, the former border area along the inner-German border is a conservation area. The former no-man‘s land with crystal-clear lakes and unspoilt forests has become a 30,000-hectare retreat for orchids, otters and fire-bellied toads - and a popular region for nature tourism. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape: the transnational UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape lies on the border to Lower Saxony. Due to the long-standing isolation of the area on the inner-German border, the pristine nature of the flood plains has been preserved. Today, these original habitats are home to rare plants and animals.. Lewitz European Bird protection area: Formed during the Ice Age some ten thousand years ago, the approximately 16,800-hectare water-rich area to the southeast of the state capital Schwerin is considered Germany‘s largest contiguous meadow landscape. There are four nature reserves within Lewitz. Since 1992, large parts of it have been designated as a European protection area. Nature in West Mecklenburg in figures: » Over ¼ of the area is covered by nature and landscape conservation areas » over 100 kilometres of Baltic beach » 2 recognised UNESCO biosphere reserves » Germany‘s fourth largest lake – Lake Schwerin » Germany‘s largest contiguous meadow landscape – Lewitz Tourism as an economic factor in MV in 2019 » 34 million overnight stays, including 400,000 foreign visitors » 7.8 billion euros in turnover » 7,8 Milliarden Euro Umsatz » 5.1 billion euros in tourism value added, 12 per cent of total value added » 173,000 people employed in tourism, 18 per cent of the labour force I Natural. Relaxing
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