- Lausitzer Seenland
The Lausitzer Seenland (German for "
Lusatia n lakeland") is a district of several big lakes in the east ofGermany . It spreads over two Bundesländer, the north-eastern part ofSaxony and the southern part ofBrandenburg . Important cities in the region includeSenftenberg ,Hoyerswerda andCottbus .The lakes are the result of a long period of
lignite mining in this region. Since the end of the 19th century, the area has been an industrial region, producing lignite andelectricity . With the reunification of Germany in 1990, it was decided to end this long tradition because of the dwindling quantity of lignite and the heavypollution of the surrounding environment. Although the mining continues and some bigpower stations continue to produce electricity with it, all industrial activities should cease by 2020.Since the 1970s, some of the old pits left by the mining process have been transformed into a new landscape formerly unknown in this region. What was once a flat land overgrown with
heather and a few trees is now lake district comparable with theMecklenburger Seenplatte inMecklenburg orMasurian Lakeland inPoland . Everything started with the "creation" of the Knappensee, and that of the Senftenberger See, still one of the biggest lakes in the region.Further lakes have been created, with plans for over twenty large lakes being laid.Lakes that have already been created include:
* in the north: Gräbendörfer See, Altdöberner See, Bergheiner See
* in the centre: Senftenberger See, Ilsesee, Sedlitzer See, Partwitzer See, Geierswalder See, Neuwieser See, Blunoer Südsee, Sabrodter See, Bergener See, Spreetaler See
* in the south: Bernsteinsee, Scheibesee, Dreiweibner See, Speicherbecken Lohse II, Silbersee/Mortkasee, Knappensee, GraureiherseeThese are not the only artificial lakes that have been and will be created in the east of Germany. Around the city of
Leipzig , a new lake district is starting to develop, and there are other examples, such as theBärwalder See andBerzdorfer See near the city ofGörlitz inUpper Lusatia .The whole area around the Lausitzer Seenland is expected by some to become one of the most attractive tourist regions in Germany, with many sporting activities on offer.
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