Schmallenberg

Infobox German Location
Name = Schmallenberg
Art = Stadt
image_photo = Schmallenberg.jpg
imagesize = 200px
image_caption = Schmallenberg (Church St. Alexander)
Wappen = Wappen Schmallenberg.jpg
lat_deg = 51 | lat_min = 08 | lat_sec = 0
lon_deg = 08 | lon_min = 18 | lon_sec = 0
Lageplan =
Bundesland = NRW
Regierungsbezirk = Arnsberg
Landkreis = Hochsauerland
Höhe = 329-831
Fläche = 303.00
Einwohner = 25992
Stand = 2005-12-31
pop_source =
PLZ = 57392
Vorwahl = 02971, 02972, 02974, 02975, 02977
Kfz = HSK
Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 9 58 040
Gliederung = 83
Adresse = Unterm Werth 1
57392 Schmallenberg
Website = [http://www.schmallenberg.de/ www.schmallenberg.de]
Bürgermeister = Bernhard Halbe
Partei = CDU

Schmallenberg is a town in the district of Hochsauerland and the largest district in the community of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Geography

Schmallenberg is located in the middle of the Sauerland (Rothaargebirge). It is situated approximately 25 kilometres south of Meschede, and 120 kilometres from Köln (Cologne).

Neighbouring communities

Lennestadt borders in the north on the communities of Bestwig and Meschede, in the east on Winterberg, in the south on Bad Berleburg, and in the west on the towns of Eslohe and Lennestadt.

Division of the town

After the local government reforms of 1975 Schmallenberg consists of 83 districts:The town of Schmallenberg has a population of 6,500 which rises to some 25,992 with the 83 neighbouring villages, which are also part of the administrative boundary.

Twin Towns

Schmallenberg twin towns are:
* )
* )

History

The Benedictine monastery was founded in 1072 near Schmallenberg on a site at the foot of the Wilzenberg mountain, by Saint Anno, Archbishop of Cologne.

"Alexander de Smalenburg", as the sources have it, is said to have given his name to the city of Schmallenberg. The origins of the narrow castle lie in a castle complex that belonged to Cologne, and in 1244 the curtain-walled settlement was officially elevated to city status by Konrad von Hochstaden, Archbishop of Cologne.

During the Middle Ages, the textile and ironmongery trades dominated Schmallenberg’s scenery, which around 1350 counted about 800 residents. After an eco-nomically slack period during the 16th century, the new iron hammer technology put the city back on the map. At that time, Schmallenberg’s ironmongery trade was considered the most important one in Westphalia.The classical ground plan according to which the town was rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1822 is still visible today. Ten years prior to that, the city wall and gates had been torn down. Today, Schmallenberg’s typical features are its half-timbered houses with slated roofs and carved doors, small bays and gables as well as symmetric perrons.

Economy

Traditionally since 19th Century was Schmallenberg a "Sauerländer centre" of the textile industry (the largest company: FALKE-GROUP). This brought Schmallenberg the nickname "Strumpfstadt" ("socktown"). Since the development of the textile industry in Schmallenberg is declining dominated the economy many medium-sized enterprises and tourism. In 2002 there were 7924 on social insurance jobs.

Major Schmallenberger companies are:

* [http://www.falke.de FALKE-GROUP] (textile industry, 2006: 2,431 employees)
* [http://www.burgbad.de Burgbad AG] (bathroom furniture manufacturer with headquarters in Bad Fredeburg)
*Feldhaus (construction company)

Fraunhofer Society

The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME conducts research in the field of applied life sciences from a molecular level to entire ecosystems. The [http://www.ime.fraunhofer.de/EN/profil/kontakt/index.jsp IME-Institute] has around 140 employees working at the locations Schmallenberg and Aachen.

Transport

Air transport

Schmallenberg's airport is [http://www.rennefeld.de Flugplatz Schmallenberg-Rennefeld] (ICAO-Code: [http://www.rennefeld.de/flugplatzdaten.htm EDKR] ).

Private transport

The Federal Highways ("Bundesstraßen") B 236 and B 511 run through the town.

Media

The "Westfalenpost" and the "Westfälische Rundschau" each have a local edition in Schmallenberg and appear as daily newspapers. As well, the advertising sheet "Sauerlandkurier" come out on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Schmallenberg belongs to the "Westdeutscher Rundfunk" Siegen studio area. News from the South Sauerland is broadcast on WDR 2 and in local broadcasts on WDR Fernsehen.

Education

Schmallenberg is home to many elementary schools, one special school whose emphasis is on learning, Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium .

Culture

Starting from Schmallenberg, detour trips to the castle in Nordenau, Grafschaft Abbey in Grafschaft or to the nearby Kneipp spa Bad Fredeburg are always worthwhile. Interesting insights into the past can be gained in the museum of local history, in the silverware factory and in the monastery- and court- museum.

Sport

Hiking trails adding up to approximately 2,500 kilometers, leading through forests, across mountains and through valleys make Schmallenberg. Recently, the town at the upper course of the river Lenne has developed into one of Westphalia’s winter sports centers. 250 kilometers of cross-country ski tracks and 30 ski-lifts turn any kind of skiing.

External links

* [http://www.schmallenberg.de/ Official site] de icon
* [http://www.schmallenberger-sauerland.de/englisch/ Schmallenberger-Sauerland] en icon