These states existed from the Middle Ages until the early 19th century, and functioned as buffers between Bavaria and Austria.

However, like the rest of the Holy Roman Empire, the Napoleonic wars brought about significant changes to the political make-up of the region.

Salzburg has gradually asserted a new role as an economic, educational and cultural center of the area, which has had a ripple effect through several municipalities such as Freilassing, which have traditionally defined themselves as German border towns.

It consists of a high alpine countryside in the south, with mountains rising to more than 2500 m, and of a strip along the Saalach River.

The very south is occupied by the Berchtesgaden National Park (210 km2) comprising the Watzmann massif (2713 m) and the Königssee, a lake of 5.2 km2 surrounded by majestic mountains.