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the Degree Confluence Project
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Germany : Hessen

1.9 km (1.2 miles) S of Sontra-Blankenbach, Hessen, Germany
Approx. altitude: 376 m (1233 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 51°S 170°W

Accuracy: 45 m (147 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the North #3: View to the East #4: View to the South #5: View to the West #6: GPS reading #7: Ground Zero #8: The Confluence Hunters #9: The signpost #10: Our rental car

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  51°N 10°E (visit #16)  

#1: The Confluence from 43 m distance

(visited by Rainer Mautz and Elionora)

14-May-2015 -- This is the 5th out of 12 reports reaching confluence points along the 51°N-line. The story starts from 51°N 14°E.

After a drive of one hour from 51°N 11°E with our rental car, we parked at a lot at a distance of 240 m to this confluence at 9:44 AM. After a short walk along a track, we reached the wheat field were this confluence is located. The closest we could approach the confluence without stepping into the field was 43 m. It is a nice place with far views into all directions and no view on houses and other human constructions apart from some wind turbines.

Interestingly, at the edge of the field in 43 m distance is a signpost which has never been mentioned in previous visit reports. So I assume that it has been put up recently. It says that the village Blankenbach is the Geographic Center of Germany. The picture gives the impression that Germany is framed by the latitudes 47°N and 55°N and by the longitudes 5°E and 15°E. This would mean that the central point would be this confluence. However, a closer look shows that the longitude 5°E is far from the border of Germany while the longitude 15°E cuts through Germany a bit. The lower text gives historic information of a former village located about 300 to 400 steps away. It also explains where exactly the point can be located in the field by aligning a wind turbine with the signpost and the observers eye.

Again, we didn’t hang around for a long time at this confluence, since we planned to visit another 7 confluence points before end-of-day.

CP Visit Details:

  • Distance of car parking: 240 m
  • Time to reach the CP from the road: 3 min
  • Time at the CP: 9:48 AM
  • Measured height: 378 m
  • Minimal distance according to GPS: 43 m
  • Position accuracy: 6 m
  • Topography: slightly hilly
  • Vegetation: wheat field, maple trees nearby
  • Weather: sunny, 24° C (felt temperature)
  • Given Name: The Center of Germany Confluence

The story continues at 51°N 9°E.


 All pictures
#1: The Confluence from 43 m distance
#2: View to the North
#3: View to the East
#4: View to the South
#5: View to the West
#6: GPS reading
#7: Ground Zero
#8: The Confluence Hunters
#9: The signpost
#10: Our rental car
ALL: All pictures on one page