Hanover is situated on the river Leine and the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony, Germany. It was one of the hardest hit during World War II, leaving it wih only a few historical landmarks. The city has large green areas, with forests and big parks. The city was once the capital of the Prussian Province of Hanover from 1868 to 1946. The city is the home of the Hanover Zoo, one of the most spectacular and best zoos in Europe.