Franconia is a region of Germany, characterised by its culture and Franconian dialect (German: Fränkisch). The three administrative regions of Lower, Middle and Upper Franconia (largest cities, respectively: Würzburg, Nuremberg and Bamberg) in the State of Bavaria are part of the cultural region of Franconia, as are the adjacent Franconian-speaking South Thuringia, south of the Rennsteig ridge (largest city: Suhl), Heilbronn-Franconia (largest city: Schwäbisch Hall) in the state of Baden-Württemberg, and small parts of the state of Hesse. The Franconian flag (German: Frankenfahne or Frankenflagge) is a symbol of Franconia, a region in North Bavaria and parts of Thuringia, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The flag consists of two horizontal bands of equal thickness, the upper one is red, the lower one is white or heraldic silver. The Franconian Rake is usually placed in the centre. Also common is the word Franken (“Franconia”) in white letters on a black field above the rake. Although not official, the Franconian Rake is also commonly used as the flag itself, replacing the horizontal bands with the rake. The Franconian flag is neither a state symbol nor an emblem of sovereignty because Franconia is only a geographical or cultural region, not an administrative unit. Full HD.