Some 2.1 million people live in the Free State of Thuringia, between the Thuringian Forest and the Harz highland area. Erfurt is both the capital of the state and its largest city. While Thuringia has a long tradition as a centre for the optics and glass industries, nowadays a broad mix of businesses – working in automotive engineering, medical technology, plastics and the food industry – make up its economic landscape. Thuringia is home to major cultural sites (including a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and nature reserves, such as Hainich National Park, a world heritage beech forest. The EU scheme of geographical indications protects a number of regional specialities; in Thuringia, these include the local grilled sausage (‘Thüringer Rostbratwurst’) and the ‘Greußener’ salami.