a state of S Germany: a former duchy and kingdom; mainly wooded highland, with the Alps in the south. Capital: Munich. Pop: 12 155 000 (2000 est). Area: 70 531 sq km (27 232 sq miles)
German name: Bayern
Bavaria in American English
(bəˈvɛriə)
state of SW Germany: formerly (1918-33) a republic and, before that, a duchy, anelectorate, & a kingdom with varying boundaries: 27,241 sq mi (70,554 sq km); pop. 10,903,000; cap. Munich