The ('''Oberpfalz''') is one of the seven
Administrative Region s of
Bavaria ,
Germany , located in the east of Bavaria. It's subdivided into two regions (''Planungsverband'') - Oberpfalz-Nord and Regensburg.
The region took its name frist in the early 16th century, because it was one of the main portions of the territory of the
Wittelsbach Elector Palatine , who also ruled over the
Lower Palatinate in the Rhineland, now normally just called the Palatinate, or Pfalz. The capital of the Upper Palatinate was
Amberg . Cadet branches of the Wittelsbach also ruled over smaller territories in
Neuburg and
Sulzbach . As a result of the Elector Palatine
Frederick V's abortive claim to the
Bohemia n throne in 1619-20, the Upper Palatinate, along with the rest of his lands, were declared forfeit to the Emperor and, along with the Electoral title, given to the Duke of
Bavaria . Although the Lower Palatinate was restored to Frederick's son by the
Peace Of Westphalia in
1648 , the Upper Palatinate remained under the Elector of Bavaria, and has remained a part of Bavaria ever since. The smaller territories of Sulzbach and Neuburg came to Bavaria in
1742 , while the city of
Regensburg , an
Imperial Free City , was not joined with the rest of the region until the end of the
Holy Roman Empire in
1806 .
Historical Population of Upper Palatinate:
1900: 553,841
1910: 600,284
1939: 694,742
1950: 906,822
1961: 898,580
1970: 963,833
1987: 969,868
2002: 1,088,929
