Peine is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the south and clockwise) the districts of Hildesheim, Hanover and Gifhorn, and the cities of Brunswick and Salzgitter.

History

Peine was a part of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg and later subordinate to Hanover. In 1866 the kingdom of Hanover fell to Prussia. The Prussian administration established the districts in 1885, among them Peine.

The region has a smelting tradition, the associated mining tradition lasted until 1976 when the last existing mine was closed. One of the best known events in local history was the mining disaster of Lengede in 1963, when 29 miners died and 11 miners were rescued two weeks after the incident.

Geography

The district comprises the space between the cities of Hanover and Braunschweig (Brunswick). The Fuhse river enters the river in the south, runs through the town of Peine and leaves northwards to Celle.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is derived from the arms of the county of Wolfenbüttel-Assenburg. This county existed only until 1260, but its rulers were responsible for the foundation of Peine.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)