Westerwaldkreis

Infobox German district noregbez
name=Westerwaldkreis
state=Rhineland-Palatinate
former regierungsbezirk=Koblenz
capital=Montabaur
area=988.75
population=203.636 (2003)
density=207
carsign=WW
url=http://www.westerwaldkreis.de

The Westerwaldkreis (direct 1:1 translation: "Western Forest District") is a district ("Kreis") in the east of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Altenkirchen, Lahn-Dill, Limburg-Weilburg, Rhein-Lahn, the district-free city Koblenz, Mayen-Koblenz and Neuwied.

History

When the area became part of Prussia in 1866 two districts covering the area were created. The northern part was covered by the Oberwesterwaldkreis with capital in Marienberg, the Unterwesterwaldkreis with capital in Montabaur covering the southern part. 1886 a third district was added with the Westerburg district with area from both of the other two districts. In 1932 the districts structure was reformed again, the Oberwesterwaldkreis and the Westerburg district were merged to a new Oberwesterwaldkreis with capital in Westerburg. In 1974 in another reform the districts Oberwesterwaldkreis and Unterwesterwaldkreis were merged to form the Westerwaldkreis.

Together with the neighboring Rhein-Lahn district a partnership with the English county Northamptonshire was started in 1981. As part of the partnership of Rhineland-Palatinate with Rwanda the district had a partnership with the municipality Mugesera since 1983. As in 2001 this municipality was included in the district Mirenge the partner changed.

Geography

The district is located in the Westerwald mountains. The highest elevation is the "Fuchskaute" with 657 m, the lowest is near Diez in the valley of the Gelbach with 150 m.

Coat of arms

Towns and municipalities

External links

* [http://www.westerwaldkreis.rlp.de Official website] (German)