Hannover at the river Leine is the capital of the state of Lower Saxony. It has a population of about 525,000 inhabitants and is an important commercial and industrial city. It has an excellent reputation as a fair city. Every year in spring, the world’s largest computer fair – the “Cebit” – and the “Hannover Messe” take place in Hannover. Hannover is also one of Germany’s big university cites – particularly the universities for medicine and veterinary medicine are of great importance. The sights of the city include the opera house, a classicistic building, the Aegidien Memorial Church and the New Town Hall which counts among the landmarks of Hannover. The Maschsee is an important local recreation and sports area for the local people. The Hannover Airport is one of the largest in Germany.