327 
MANNHEIM. 
Mannheim is politically the second capital of the Grand Duchy of Baden ; 
but, alike in population, wealth, and industrial importance, it claims primacy 
over its rival Karlsruhe. It is situated conveniently for commerce at the 
junction of the Rhine and Neckar, and has for neighbour Ludwigshafen, which, 
lies in the Bavarian Palatinate, just across the former river, here spanned by a 
noble bridge. Mannheim’s population in 1905 was 163,708, against 141,131 in 
1900, showing an increase of 16 per cent, in the five years, against an increase 
of 55 per cent, in the preceding quinquennium. Between 1895 and 1900, 
however, the population was carried forward on a wave of industrial prosperity 
unique in the town’s annals, and after 1900 a reaction set in, which only ceased 
towards the close of 1904. Moreover, the incorporation of the suburbs of 
Waldhof, Käferthal, and Neckarau, composing New Mannheim, contributed largely 
to the town’s growth in the earlier period. Of an increase of 50,012 in the 
population between 1895 and 1900, 14,283 came through incorporation, 12,328 
through excess of births over deaths, and 23,401 through immigration. The 
population of the old town increased 16 14 per cent, during 1900-5, and that 
of the new suburbs, which are industrial in character, only 13*07 per cent. 
Since 1871 the old town has more than trebled in population. 
The following Table shows the increase of population during various 
inter-censal periods, with the causes of increase. 
The vital statistics of the town are not unfavourable. The birth-rate in 
1905 was 38*7 per 1,000, comparing with 33*1 for the whole of Baden and 
33*0 for the Empire. The marriages in 1905 were 10*37 per 1,000 and in 
1901 10*99, against 8*1 per 1,000 for Baden in general and 8*1 for the 
Empire in 1905. The death-rate was 19*0 per 1,000 in 1905 and 20*6 in 
1904, comparing with 19*0 per 1,000 for the whole of Baden and 19*8 for the 
Empire in 1905. The illegitimate births in 1905 were 9*9 per cent, of all the 
births ; the infant mortality was 218 per thousand births, against 233 per 
thousand on the average of the preceding five years. During the past decade 
there has been a gradual diminution in the general mortality rate, as sanitation 
and social conditions have improved, but the progress made is more perceptible 
when the survey covers a longer period. During the first half of the 19th 
century the deaths exceeded the births ; the rate was as high as 45 per 1,000 in 
the twenties, and 28 and 29 per 1,000 from 1830 to 1840 ; even in 1870 it was 
24 per 1,000. Since then the town has been greatly improved, and many 
salutary regulations safeguarding the health of the inhabitants and their homes 
have been introduced, with the result that the natural increase of the population 
is greater than ever before. 
Increase owing to 
Census Year. 
Population. 
Inter-censal 
Increase. 
Natural growth. Immigration. 
1871 
1875 
6,847 
7,012 
7,808 
17,785 
2,479 
3,664 
3,649 
4,724 
4,368 
3,348 
4,159 
13,061 
1880 
53,465 
61,273 
79,058 
1885 
1890 
1895 
12,061 
7,337 
4,724 
1900 
1905 
141,131 
163,708 
12,328 
15,362 
23,401 
7,215 
* Added owing to the extension of the municipal boundaries.