Rastatt is a district (Kreis) in the west of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Karlsruhe, Calw, Freudenstadt and the Ortenaukreis. To the west it borders the French departement Bas-Rhin. The district-free city Baden-Baden is completely surrounded by the district.

History

The district was created in 1939 as the successor of the Oberamt Rastatt and later the Großkreis Baden. In 1973 it was merged with the majority of the neighboring district Bühl, and some small parts of the district Kehl.

Geography

The district is located in the Rhine valley, the south-east part however is already part of the northern Black Forest. The highest elevation is the Hornisgrinde.

Partnerships

Since 1968 the district has partnership with the Finnish city Vantaa. The partnership with the Italian Provincia di Pesaro e Urbino was started in 1996.

Coat of arms

The top-left corner of the coat of arms show a wine ladder, the symbol of the city Rastatt. The grapes in the top-right symbolize the viticulture in the area around Bühl. The red bar on yellow ground in the bottom-right is the symbol of Baden, and the rose in bottom-left is the symbol of the dukes of Eberstein.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)