Vlotho

Infobox German Location
Art = Stadt
Name = Vlotho
image_photo = Vlotho.jpg
imagesize =
image_caption = Vlotho as seen from the castle on the Amthausberg
Wappen = Wappen von Vlotho.pnglat_deg = 52 |lat_min = 10 |lat_sec = 00
lon_deg = 08 |lon_min = 50 |lon_sec = 59
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Nordrhein-Westfalen
Regierungsbezirk = Detmold
Kreis = Herford
Höhe = 109
Fläche = 76.92
Einwohner = 20701
Stand = 2008-05-13
PLZ = 32602
Vorwahl = 05733 (Vlotho)
05228 (Exter)
Kfz = HF
Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 7 58 036
Gliederung = 4
Straße = Lange Straße 60
Website = [http://www.vlotho.de/ www.vlotho.de]
Bürgermeister = Bernd Stute
Partei = SPD

Vlotho (IPA2|ˈfloːto) is a town in the district of Herford, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Geography

Vlotho is located along the Weser river, south of the Wiehengebirge, bordering on the Ravensberger Hügelland in the west, Lipperland in the south, and the Weserbergland in the east. The Weser river runs through the city east to north and thus separates the northeast part of the town, Uffeln, from the rest of the city. The highest point is the "Bonstapel" at 342 m in the south-east.

Neighbouring municipalities

Vlotho borders on Herford and Löhne in the west, Bad Oeynhausen and Porta Westfalica (both Minden-Lübbecke district) in the north, Kalletal in the east, and Lemgo and Bad Salzuflen (both Lippe district) in the south.

Division of the town

* Exter
* [http://www.uffeln.de Uffeln]
* Valdorf
* Vlotho

History

The first historical records of Vlotho go back to the year 1185. In 1248, Vlotho gained the official status of a city, but lost it again due to both pestilence and war. In the 1600s, Vlotho recovered as a location for industry, most notably paper. In 1650, Vlotho regained the right to hold a market, and in 1719, became an independent city. A harbor was built and Vlotho became the location of cigar, machine, and textile industry. In 1875, a train station was constructed, and in 1928, a bridge replaced the ferry across the Weser river. In 1969, the old city of Vlotho was unified with the communities of Exter and Valdorf. In 1973, Uffeln (formerly part of the district of Minden) joined Vlotho.

Economy

A major part of the local economy is the emerging tourist industry. There is still some machine industry.

Sightseeing

* "Vlotho castle" from the 13th century

External links

* [http://www.vlotho.de Official site] de icon
* [http://www.korte-kleemeier.de/html/webcam.htm Webcam overlooking the town centre] de icon
* [http://www.festivalkult.de/ Homepage about the yearly festival] de icon
* [http://www.gwexter.org Homepage with history of Vlotho and its surroundings] de icon
* [http://www.wesergymnasium.de Weser-Gymnasium Vlotho] de icon

References