Dahme-Spreewald

Dahme-Spreewald
—  District  —
Country	Germany
State	Brandenburg
Capital	Lübben (Spreewald)
Area
- Total	2,261 km2 (873 sq mi)
Population (31 December 2010)[1]
- Total	161,805
- Density	71.6/km2 (185.3/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Vehicle registration	LDS
Website	dahme-spreewald.de

Dahme-Spreewald is a district in Brandenburg, Germany. It is bounded by (from the east and clockwise) the districts of Oder-Spree, Spree-Neiße, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Elbe-Elster and Teltow-Fläming, and by the city of Berlin.

History

The Spreewald region has always been a centre of Sorbian culture. In medieval times the cities of Lübben and Luckau had successively been capitals of the margravate of Lower Lusatia. From 1815 on Lower Lusatia was a part of Prussia. Throughout the 19th century the region remained an agriculturally used area, some urbanisation taking place in the very north (close to Berlin) only.

When the state of Brandenburg was newly founded in 1990, the districts of Lübben, Luckau and Königs Wusterhausen had been established. In 1993 the three districts were merged.

Geography

The Spree river enters the district in the southeast and leaves to the northeast. The wooded regions along its banks are called Spreewald. The Spreewald is the westernmost part of Lusatia. Especially the cities of Lübben and Lübbenau welcome many tourists each year, offering boat trips and relaxing holidays in the beautiful Spreewald nature.

The Dahme river is a tributary of the Spree. It forms many lakes in the northern part of the district. The Dahme leaves the district towards Berlin, where it is occasionally used for boat races. Eventually, it joins the Spree.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms displays: top left: the bull is the heraldic animal of Lusatia top right: the eagle is the heraldic animal of Brandenburg bottom: the crown symbolises the former hunting lodge of the Prussian kings, which was in Königs Wusterhausen

Towns and municipalities

Amt-free towns	Ämter
Königs Wusterhausen Lübben (Spreewald) Luckau Mittenwalde Amt-free municipalities Bestensee Eichwalde Heideblick Heidesee Märkische Heide Schönefeld Schulzendorf Wildau Zeuthen	1. Golßener Land Drahnsdorf Golßen1, 2 Kasel-Golzig Steinreich 2. Lieberose/Oberspreewald Alt Zauche-Wußwerk Byhleguhre-Byhlen Jamlitz Lieberose1, 2 Neu Zauche Schwielochsee Spreewaldheide Straupitz	3. Schenkenländchen Groß Köris Halbe Märkisch Buchholz2 Münchehofe Schwerin Teupitz1, 2 4. Unterspreewald Bersteland Krausnick-Groß Wasserburg Rietzneuendorf-Staakow Schlepzig Schönwald1 Unterspreewald
1seat of the Amt; 2town

References

1. ^ "Bevölkerung im Land Brandenburg am am 30. Dezember 2010 nach amtsfreien Gemeinden, Ämtern und Gemeinden. Gebietsstand: 31.12.2010" (in German). Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg. 31 December 2010. http://www.statistik-berlin-brandenburg.de//Publikationen/OTab/2011/OT_A01-04-00_124_201012_BB.pdf. 

External links

• Official website (German)
• Spreewald touristical website (German)
• Spreewald Biosphere Reserve (German)

Coordinates: 52°2′N 13°54′E / 52.033°N 13.9°E / 52.033; 13.9