Biberach (district)

Infobox German district
name=Biberach
state=Baden-Württemberg
capital=Biberach (Riß)
regierungsbezirk=Tübingen
region=Donau-Iller
area=1,409.83
population=187,138
population_as_of=2003
density=133
carsign=BC
url= [http://www.biberach.de biberach.de]

Biberach an der Riss ['bi:bərax] is a district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is bounded by (from the south and clockwise) the districts of Ravensburg, Sigmaringen, Reutlingen and Alb-Donau, and the Bavarian districts Neu-Ulm, Unterallgäu and the district-free city Memmingen. The major towns in the district of Biberach are Biberach (Riß), Riedlingen, Ochsenhausen and Laupheim.

Geography

The district consists of hilly countryside between the rivers of the Danube and the Iller. The Danube crosses the district in its westernmost part from south to north. The Iller forms the eastern border of the district. Another river is the Riß, an affluent of the Danube crossing the district from south to north.

The Federsee is a small lake in the southwest of the district. Its area is only 1.4 km², but it is famous for Neolithic findings and rare birds.

Media

The local newspaper is the "Schwäbische Zeitung" ("Swabian Newspaper"). The Biberach Independent Film Festival focusses on experimental shorts and documentaries. The festival starts at the end of October and runs into November.

Coat of arms

The imperial eagle symbolizes the imperial city of Biberach. Originally the coat of arms of the city showed an eagle as well as a beaver as a canting symbol. In 1488 the coat of arms of the city was changed to show only the beaver. The crosier symbolises the monasteries of the region.

Cities and towns

External links

* [http://www.biberach.de Official website of the district of Biberach] (German)
* [http://www.weberberg.de Huge private website about the town of Biberach] (German and (in parts) other languages.)
* [http://www.federseemuseum.de Federsee Neolithic Museum] (German, English)
* [http://www.naturschutz-am-federsee.de/ Federsee Nature Reserve] (German)
* [http://biff-filmfestival.de/ Biberach Independent Film Festival] (German)