Vechta (district)

Infobox German district noregbez
name=Vechta
state=Lower Saxony
capital=Vechta
area=813
population=132,500
population_as_of=2003
density=163
carsign=VEC
url=http://www.kreis-vechta.de

Vechta (IPA2|ˈfɛçta) is a district ("Landkreis") in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Oldenburg, Diepholz, Osnabrück and Cloppenburg.

History

In the 13th century the region was acquired by the bishop of Münster and became a part of his clerical state. When the clerical states of Germany were dissolved in 1803, Vechta was given to Oldenburg, while clerically still belonging to Münster, hence the name Oldenburger Münsterland is also used for the region (together with Cloppenburg district). The present district was established in 1945 and became a part of the newly founded state of Lower Saxony.

Geography

The countryside is generally flat. Only in the very south there is a hill chain close to the town of Damme, called the Dammer Berge. The western shore of Lake Dümmer with its adjoining fens is also part of the district.

Coat of arms

Cities and municipalities

External links

* [http://www.kreis-vechta.de/ Official website] de icon