315
MAGDEBURG.
Among the three great cities on the Elbe—Hamburg, Magdeburg and
Dresden—Magdeburg occupies the middle position both geographically and in
point of importance as a trading centre. It is the capital of the Prussian
province of Saxony and is regarded as the most centrally situated of the great
cities of Germany. Its position on the Prussian railway system is such that it
can be reached from Berlin on the north-east in two hours, from Leipzig on the
south in three hours, from Brunswick on the west in an hour and a half, and
from Hamburg on the north-west in a little less than four hours. Being the
distributing centre for a wide agricultural area in which sugar and sugar beet
are largely produced, it has come to be recognised as the leading market for
sugar in Germany, while among the great German markets for farm stock and
cereals it also holds a prominent place. Owing to its position on a great natural
waterway navigable for large river craft from beyond the Austrian frontier to
the North Sea the traditions and prosperity of the town have in the past been
identified with commerce rather than manufactures. Like other German towns,
however, whose early prosperity has been based on commerce, Magdeburg has,
since the spread of railways, also developed into a considerable manufacturing
town, its staple industries being sugar refining, the manufacture of machinery
(more especially for agriculture and for the equipment of sugar refineries),
steam fittings, ordnance and armour plates.
The following Table shows the growth of the population of Magdeburg
since 1871 : —
Year.
Population.
Increase.
1871
1875
1880
1885
1890
1895
1900
1905
114,509
122,789
137,185
159,520
202,230
214,424
229,667
240,633
8,280
14,346
22,385
42,710
12,194
15,243
10.966
Increase per cent.
7-2
117
16 3
26-8
60
7-1
4-8
It will be seen that between the years 1885 and 1890 the increase of the
population was greater than in any otner quinquennial period. This, it should
be stated, is due to the incorporation within the municipal area in 1886 and 1887
of the outlying parishes of Neustadt on the north, and Buckau on the south.
The following Table shows the birth-rates, death-rates, and infant
mortality rates for the last five years for which the figures are available
Year.
Birth-rate per 1,000
of population.
Death-rate per 1,000
of population.
Infant mortality rate
per 1,000 births.
19-0
244
1901
30-5
209
17-5
1902
29-2
180
232
1903
28-2
194
253
1904
26-8
18-1
244
1905
25-8
2 R 2
29088
