Bethau

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Coordinates: 51°40′N 13°0′E

Bethau
Country	Germany
State	Saxony-Anhalt
District	Wittenberg
Population	190 (30/06/2005)
Area	5.67 km²
Population density	33 /km²
Elevation	77 m
Coordinates	51°40′ N 13°0′ E
Postal code	06925
Area code	035386
Licence plate code	WB
Mayor	Silke Noack
Website	Gemeinde Bethau

Bethau is a community on the southeast edge of the Wittenberg district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It lies right on the boundary with Saxony about 35 km southeast of the district seat at Wittenberg and 12 km north of Torgau. Bethau is part of the administrative community (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) of Annaburg-Prettin.

[edit] Geography and transport

The community lies in the lowlands on the east bank of the Elbe west of the Annaburg Heath. This is, however, to a great extent a Bundeswehr troop drilling ground, and is therefore off limits. West of the community runs the Federal Highway (Bundesstraße) B 182, and to the north is the B 187. In the south, the community borders on Saxony.

[edit] History

Bethau is believed to have been founded in 1159 by Flemish migrants. They were settled in the area by the Archbishop of Magdeburg Wichmann von Seeburg and Albert the Bear.