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Thuringia is located in the center of Germany and borders five federal states: Hesse, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Bavaria. Its landscape is mainly characterized by low mountain ranges, forests, river valleys and basin landscapes. The Thuringian Forest is particularly well known. This elongated low mountain range stretches across the southern part of the state and is crossed by the Rennsteig, one of Germany's best-known long-distance hiking trails. In the north and northwest are regions such as the Eichsfeld and parts of the Harz foothills. The Thuringian Basin in the center of the state, by contrast, is a relatively flat landscape that is widely used for agriculture. The highest mountain in Thuringia is Großer Beerberg in the Thuringian Forest, at 983 meters above sea level. Important rivers include the Saale, Werra, Unstrut, Gera and Ilm.

Thuringia has a long and important history dating back to the early Middle Ages. During the medieval period, the region developed into an important center of political power and was shaped, among others, by the Ludovingian dynasty. Later, the Wettin dynasty and various smaller principalities played important roles. The region became particularly significant during the Reformation. Martin Luther lived and worked in places including Erfurt and Eisenach. In Weimar, an important center of German literature and culture developed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Figures such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller are closely associated with the city. The present-day federal state of Thuringia was established in 1920. After the Second World War, Thuringia became part of the Soviet occupation zone and later the German Democratic Republic. In 1952, the state was dissolved and replaced by administrative districts. Following German reunification, Thuringia was re-established as a federal state in 1990.

Thuringia has around 2.1 million inhabitants and is characterized mainly by medium-sized cities as well as numerous smaller communities. Erfurt is the state capital and also the largest urban center in the federal state. Located in central Thuringia, the city is an important center for administration, education, services and transportation. Weimar is particularly known for its importance as a cultural and literary city. Eisenach is closely associated with Wartburg Castle and the history of Martin Luther. Other important cities include Jena, Gera, Gotha, Nordhausen, Suhl and Mühlhausen. Jena is especially well known as a center of science and technology. Overall, a large share of the population is concentrated in the larger cities and surrounding areas, while extensive parts of the Thuringian Forest and other rural regions are more sparsely populated.

The economy of Thuringia is characterized by a combination of industry, medium-sized businesses, services and research. Important sectors include mechanical engineering, automotive technology, optics, medical technology, electronics and food production. Jena is a major center for optics, photonics, medical technology and research. The city is particularly associated with the development of advanced optical technologies. Erfurt also has a diverse economic structure, with services, logistics, industry and trade playing important roles. Other important industrial locations include Eisenach, Gera, Suhl and the Gotha region. Thuringia also has a strong research landscape, with universities and research institutions working closely with businesses. Tourism is another important part of the economy. The Thuringian Forest, historic cities and Wartburg Castle attract numerous visitors each year.

Thuringia has diverse natural landscapes with extensive forests, low mountain ranges, river valleys and agricultural areas. The Thuringian Forest is one of the state's most important natural regions and provides habitats for many animal and plant species. An important protected natural area is Hainich National Park. It protects a large continuous beech forest and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe" since 2011. Other important natural areas include the Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve, the Eichsfeld-Hainich-Werratal Nature Park and the Saale-Unstrut region. Rivers such as the Saale, Werra and Unstrut, together with numerous forests and protected areas, contribute to the state's natural diversity. The protection of forests, water bodies and valuable habitats is an important part of nature conservation in Thuringia.

Thuringia is one of Germany's culturally significant regions. Weimar is particularly well known for its close connections with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. The city was also an important center in the history of the Bauhaus and is home to numerous cultural sites that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. One of the best-known attractions in Thuringia is Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. The medieval castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is closely associated with Martin Luther, who lived there in 1521 and 1522 under the name Junker Jörg and worked on his German translation of the New Testament. Erfurt also has a historic old town with important landmarks such as Erfurt Cathedral and the Krämerbrücke. In Jena, historic sites and museums recall the city's scientific and cultural development. Other well-known destinations include Friedenstein Palace in Gotha, the Buchenwald Memorial near Weimar and the landscapes of the Thuringian Forest. Traditional festivals, crafts and regional cuisine further contribute to the cultural character of the federal state.