The Bodensee-Oberschwaben region is located at the far southeast of the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and consists of the three local districts of Ravensburg, Sigmaringen and Bodenseekreis. From a historical perspective, the development of the local technology-oriented clusters started in 1908 with the foundation of the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH by Count Zeppelin in Friedrichshafen.
Being located at the far southeast of the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, the region of Bodensee-Oberschwaben counts about 619,000 inhabitants and includes the three local districts of Ravensburg, Sigmaringen and Bodenseekreis. Compared to Baden-Wuerttemberg as a whole, the region's economy represents a markedly stronger production sector. Consequently, the share of the total services sector is below the federal state's average.
A large industrial base with remarkable economic strength can be found in the agglomeration and regional metropolis of Friedrichshafen-Ravensburg-Weingarten. Also in the rural areas, major enterprises have established their businesses. From a historical perspective, the development of the local technology-oriented clusters started in 1908 with the foundation of the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH by Count Zeppelin in Friedrichshafen. Even today, the aerospace industry represents an important and outstanding sector in that region. In addition, the Bodensee-Oberschwaben region is known as international tourism and healthcare region.
The most important sectors include (by the number of jobs liable for social insurance contributions excluding commerce, the construction and the public sector):
Compared to other regions, the innovative strength of Bodensee-Oberschwaben occupies a position in the upper middle ranking. A decisive factor hereby is the region's innovative level ranking second among all regions of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Innovation Index of the region* | ||
---|---|---|
Overall index | 35,5 % | federal state 38,8 % |
| 33,2 % | federal state 36,5 % |
| 42,4 % | federal state 45,8 % |
Share of the employment in the different sectors** | ||
---|---|---|
Manufactoring | 41,3 % | federal state 36,2 % |
Services | 57,8 % | federal state 63,2 % |
| 11,9 % | federal state 13,3 % |
| 8,0 % | federal state 12,5 % |
| 3,4 % | federal state 4,1 % |
*Statistical State Office of Baden-Wuerttemberg 2015
**Statistic of Employment of the Federal Employment Agency 2015