Lüneburg is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the southeast and clockwise) the districts of Lüchow-Dannenberg, Uelzen, Soltau-Fallingbostel and Harburg, and the states of Schleswig-Holstein (district Lauenburg) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (district Ludwigslust).

History

The history of the region has ever been influenced by the city of Lüneburg; see there for more details.

The district was established after the kingdom of Hanover was annexed by Prussia (1866).

In 1993 the municipality of Amt Neuhaus joined Lower Saxony and the district of Lüneburg. This region had always been ruled by Lüneburg, before the demarcation after 1945 made it a part of East Germany. It is hence one of very few municipalities of the former GDR, that are now part of a West German state.

Geography

The district is characterised by the Lüneburg Heath (Lüneburger Heide) in the south and the riverside woodlands along the Elbe. Though most of the district is located south of the river, there is a small portion around the municipality of Amt Neuhaus on the opposite side.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms displays: the heraldic lion of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg the hearts of the Danish national arms (since duke Wilhelm of Lüneburg was married to a Danish princess in the 14th century)

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)