Oberbergischer Kreis
Encyclopedia
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The Oberbergischer Kreis is a Kreis (district
) in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
, Germany
. Neighboring districts are Ennepe-Ruhr
, Märkischer Kreis
, Olpe
, Altenkirchen
, Rhein-Sieg
, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
, and the urban districts Remscheid
and Wuppertal
.
and the "Oberbergisch" to its south.
In 1816, after the whole Rhineland was annexed to Prussia
, the districts of Waldbröl, Homburg, Gimborn, Wipperfürth, and Lennep were created on the area now covered by the district. In 1825 the districts Gimborn and Homburg were merged to the district Gummersbach. In 1932 it was merged with the district of Waldbröl, and then for the first time called Oberbergischer Kreis. The restructuring of the districts in 1969/75 did then create the district to its current extent.
and north of the Westerwald
. It constitutes the eastern part of the Bergisches Land nature reserve. Situated at an altitude of 100–520 meters above sea level, it is rich in wood and water (numbering ten artificial lakes) and thus a recreational area for citizens from Cologne
, the Ruhr area
and the Netherlands
.
The prevailing rock is greywacke
, which was and in places still is mined in large stone quarries.
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||The coat of arms is a combination of the heraldic signs of the territories the district belonged to. The red-white bar in the top symbolizes the County of Mark
and the lion that of Berg. Homburg Castle (near Nümbrecht
) was the seat of the Princes of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
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Since the October 1st, 1999 there is only one (directly elected) District Administrator who at the same time is head of management:
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The Oberbergischer Kreis is a Kreis (district
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
) in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Neighboring districts are Ennepe-Ruhr
Ennepe-Ruhr
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis is a district in the middle of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is bounded by the district-free cities of Bochum, Dortmund and Hagen, the districts of Märkischer Kreis and Oberbergischer Kreis, the city of Wuppertal, the district of Mettmann and the city of...
, Märkischer Kreis
Märkischer Kreis
The Märkischer Kreis is a district in central North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighbouring districts are Unna, Soest, Hochsauerland, Olpe, Oberbergischer Kreis, Ennepe-Ruhr, and the city of Hagen.-History:...
, Olpe
Olpe (district)
Olpe is a Kreis in the south-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Märkischer Kreis, Hochsauerland, Siegen-Wittgenstein, Altenkirchen, Oberbergischer Kreis.- History :...
, Altenkirchen
Altenkirchen (district)
Altenkirchen is a district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is bounded by the North Rhine-Westphalian districts Rhein-Sieg, Oberbergischer Kreis, Olpe and Siegen-Wittgenstein, and the districts of Westerwaldkreis and Neuwied....
, Rhein-Sieg
Rhein-Sieg
The Rhein-Sieg-Kreis is a Kreis in the south of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis, Altenkirchen, Neuwied, Ahrweiler, Euskirchen, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, the urban district of Cologne...
, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
The Rheinisch-Bergische Kreis is a Kreis in the Cologne Bonn Region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring are the districts Oberbergischer Kreis and Rhein-Sieg, and the district-free citiesCologne, Leverkusen, Solingen and Remscheid....
, and the urban districts Remscheid
Remscheid
Remscheid is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is, after Wuppertal and Solingen, the third largest municipality in Bergisches Land, being located on the northern edge of the region, on south side of the Ruhr area....
and Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
.
Name
The area of the Bergisches Land belonged to the County of Berg for most of the medieval times, which still gives the district its name. What is called "Oberbergisch" ('upper Bergian') lies in the southeast of that earldom: Already in 1740, a description of what had meanwhile become a duchy made a distinction between the "Niederbergisch" part north of the river WupperWupper
The Wupper is a right tributary to the Rhine river in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Rising near Marienheide in western Sauerland it runs through the mountainous area of the Bergisches Land Berg County and enters the Rhine at Leverkussen, south of Düsseldorf...
and the "Oberbergisch" to its south.
In 1816, after the whole Rhineland was annexed to Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
, the districts of Waldbröl, Homburg, Gimborn, Wipperfürth, and Lennep were created on the area now covered by the district. In 1825 the districts Gimborn and Homburg were merged to the district Gummersbach. In 1932 it was merged with the district of Waldbröl, and then for the first time called Oberbergischer Kreis. The restructuring of the districts in 1969/75 did then create the district to its current extent.
Geography
The Oberbergischer Kreis covers the hills west of the SauerlandSauerland
The Sauerland is a rural, hilly area spreading across most of the south-eastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, in parts heavily forested and, apart from the major valleys, sparsely inhabited...
and north of the Westerwald
Westerwald
The Westerwald is a low mountain range on the right bank of the River Rhine in the German federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a part of the Rhine Massif...
. It constitutes the eastern part of the Bergisches Land nature reserve. Situated at an altitude of 100–520 meters above sea level, it is rich in wood and water (numbering ten artificial lakes) and thus a recreational area for citizens from Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, the Ruhr area
Ruhr Area
The Ruhr, by German-speaking geographers and historians more accurately called Ruhr district or Ruhr region , is an urban area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With 4435 km² and a population of some 5.2 million , it is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
The prevailing rock is greywacke
Greywacke
Greywacke or Graywacke is a variety of sandstone generally characterized by its hardness, dark color, and poorly sorted angular grains of quartz, feldspar, and small rock fragments or lithic fragments set in a compact, clay-fine matrix. It is a texturally immature sedimentary rock generally found...
, which was and in places still is mined in large stone quarries.
Coat of arms
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Mark (county)
The County of Mark was a county and state of the Holy Roman Empire in the Lower Rhenish-Westphalian Circle. It lay on both sides of the Ruhr River along the Volme and Lenne Rivers....
and the lion that of Berg. Homburg Castle (near Nümbrecht
Nümbrecht
Nümbrecht is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany. It is a health resort, known for its good climate.-Neighbouring places:North: WiehlWest: Engelskirchen NümbrechtEast: Reichshof...
) was the seat of the Princes of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
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District Administrator
- 1945-1951: Dr. August Dresbach, CDUChristian Democratic Union (Germany)The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
- 1951-1952: Fritz Eschmann, SPDSocial Democratic Party of GermanyThe Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
- 1952-1956: Wilhelm Henn, CDU
- 1956-1961: Fritz Eschmann, SPD
- 1961-1964: Reinhard Kaufmann, CDU
- 1964-1969: Dr. Heinrich Schild, CDU
- 1969-1989: Hans Wichelhaus, CDU
- 1989-1994: Hans-Leo Kausemann, CDU
- 1994-1999: Herbert Heidtman, SPD
Since the October 1st, 1999 there is only one (directly elected) District Administrator who at the same time is head of management:
- 1999-2004: Hans-Leo Kausemann, CDU
- 2004-today: Hagen Jobi, CDU
District Administrator for the management
- 1946-1979: Dr. Friedrich-Wilhelm Goldenbogen, CDU
- 1979-1987: Dr. Dieter Fuchs, CDU
- 1987-1994: Dr. Gert Ammermann, CDU
- 1995-1999: Heribert Rohr, SPD
Economy
The district's economy is marked by small and middle-sized industry, particularly in the areas of plastic and metal processing.Places of interest
- The so-called 'colored churches' (with medieval wall and cover paintings) are known nationally
- Stalactite cave in WiehlWiehlWiehl is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany. It is located approx. 41 km east of Cologne. The neighbouring municipalities Reichshof, Waldbröl, Nümbrecht, Much, Engelskirchen and Gummersbach border on the town....
- Rhenish industry museum in EngelskirchenEngelskirchenEngelskirchen is a municipality in Oberbergischer Kreis, Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia, about 40 kilometers east of Cologne. The neighbouring municipalities are Overath, Lindlar, Gummersbach, Wiehl and Much.-History:...
- House Dahl
- Open-air museum in LindlarLindlarLindlar is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located about 30 km east of Cologne.-Geography:Lindlar is located between latitudes 50°58' and 51°5' N. and longitudes 7°15' and 7°28' E...
- Gimborn Castle
- Homburg Castle
- Hückeswagen Castle and the historical part of HückeswagenHückeswagenHückeswagen is a town in the north of Oberbergischen Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is part of the governmental district of Cologne,-Geography:...
- Ehreshoven Castle
- Denklingen CastleDenklingen CastleDenklingen Castle is a historic building in the Denklingen district of Reichshof in the Oberbergischer Kreis of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-History:...
Towns and municipalities
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- BergneustadtBergneustadtBergneustadt is a municipality in the eastern part of the Oberbergischer Kreis , in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located 50 km east of Cologne. It is part of the Berg region.-First naming:...
- GummersbachGummersbachGummersbach is a city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, being the district seat of the Oberbergischer Kreis. It is located 50 km east of Cologne. In the past it was nicknamed "the Lime Tree Town", because lime trees lined the main street...
- HückeswagenHückeswagenHückeswagen is a town in the north of Oberbergischen Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is part of the governmental district of Cologne,-Geography:...
- RadevormwaldRadevormwaldRadevormwald is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is one of the oldest towns in the Bergischen Land, formerly the County and Duchy of Berg.-Geography:Radevormwald is located about 50 km east of Cologne...
- WaldbrölWaldbrölWaldbröl is a town is in the southern part of the Oberbergischer Kreis , in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geographical location:The city lies on the slopes of the Nutscheid and is part of the Naturpark Bergisches Land...
- WiehlWiehlWiehl is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany. It is located approx. 41 km east of Cologne. The neighbouring municipalities Reichshof, Waldbröl, Nümbrecht, Much, Engelskirchen and Gummersbach border on the town....
- WipperfürthWipperfürththumb|310px|Map of the citythumb|250px|Town hallWipperfürth is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis of North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany, about 40 km north-east of Cologne, and the oldest town in the Bergischen Land.-History:...
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- EngelskirchenEngelskirchenEngelskirchen is a municipality in Oberbergischer Kreis, Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia, about 40 kilometers east of Cologne. The neighbouring municipalities are Overath, Lindlar, Gummersbach, Wiehl and Much.-History:...
- LindlarLindlarLindlar is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located about 30 km east of Cologne.-Geography:Lindlar is located between latitudes 50°58' and 51°5' N. and longitudes 7°15' and 7°28' E...
- MarienheideMarienheide-History:The first documentary mention of the place was in 1417 " in a sales document is called Heydenreich of our dear Mrs. Knecht on the Mergenheyde " -History:The first documentary mention of the place was in 1417 " in a sales document is called Heydenreich of our dear Mrs. Knecht on the...
- MorsbachMorsbachMorsbach is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:It is located about 50 km east of Cologne, in the southern corner of the Oberbergischen Kreis on the border of North Rhine-Westphalia to Rhineland-Palatinate .-Neighbouring places:North:...
- NümbrechtNümbrechtNümbrecht is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis, in Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany. It is a health resort, known for its good climate.-Neighbouring places:North: WiehlWest: Engelskirchen NümbrechtEast: Reichshof...
- ReichshofReichshofReichshof is a Northrhine-Westfalian municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis in Germany, about 40 km east of Cologne. It is a health resort, known for its good climate.-General meaning:...
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