Altenkirchen (district)

Infobox German district noregbez
name=Altenkirchen
state=Rhineland-Palatinate
former regierungsbezirk=Koblenz
capital=Altenkirchen
area=642
population=137,200
population_as_of=1999
density=214
carsign=AK
url= [http://www.kreis-altenkirchen.de kreis-altenkirchen.de]

Altenkirchen is a district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the North Rhine-Westphalian districts Rhein-Sieg, Oberbergischer Kreis, Olpe and Siegen-Wittgenstein, and the districts of Westerwaldkreis and Neuwied.

History

The history of the district is linked with the Westerwald region.

The district was established in 1816 by the Prussian administration. It combined the earldom of Wildenburg and the two earldoms of Sayn. The former had been part of Berg, the latter ones had belonged to the duchy of Nassau.

Geography

Altenkirchen is the northernmost district of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is occupied by the northern portions of the Westerwald mountains. The valley of the Sieg River borders the Westerwald on the north. The lands north of the Sieg are called Wildenburgisches Land, after the tiny earldom of Wildenburg, that once existed here.

Coat of arms

Towns and municipalities

"Verband"-free town: Herdorf

External links

* [http://www.kreis-altenkirchen.de/ Official website] (German)