Hannover, on the Leine River, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony, Germany, with a population of approximately 519,000 people. It was also the capital of the administrative area of Hannover region until Lower Saxony's regions were disbanded at the beginning of 2005. It is, however, still part of the Hannover, Region, which is a municipal body made up from the former district and city of Hannover. There are walking tours, the old town, Medieval housing and street layouts, 14th century churches, a forest within the city, gardens, and ruins of castles