Minden-Lübbecke is a Kreis (district) in the northeastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Diepholz, Nienburg, Schaumburg, Lippe, Herford, Osnabrück.

Geography

This is the northernmost district of North Rhine-Westphalia. It protrudes into Lower Saxonian territory. The Weser river enters the district in the southeast and leaves to the north. In the south of the district the river runs through a narrow gorge, which is formed by two mountain chains, the Wiehengebirge in the west and the Wesergebirge in the east. This gorge is called Porta Westfalica, since it marks the ancient border of Westphalia.

History

Minden-Lübbecke is roughly identical with the medieval bishopric principality of Minden. Having its biggest extend in the 13th century it later lost area to be finally around the size of today's district. In the 17th century the principality came into the belonging of Brandenburg and thus Prussia. First lost to the Napoleonic France, it came back to Prussia in 1813, and was then part of the province Westphalia. In 1816 the districts Minden and Rahden were created. In 1832 the Rahden district was merged with parts of the dissolve Bünde district, and the new administrative seat of the district was Lübbecke. The district in today's borders was created in 1973 when the two districts Minden and Lübbecke were merged.

Misc

The district is also known as Mühlenkreis, as it has many reconstructed historic mills.

Coat of arms

In the right half of the coat of arms are the chevrons from the counts of Ravensberg, who owned part of the districts area. The keys are the sign of the Prince-bishop of Minden after their patron Saint Peter. After the district was merged with Lübbecke a second key was added, to symbolize the two historic parts. This new arms were granted in 1973.

Towns and municipalities

External link

• Official Website (German)