Cottbus

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Cottbus


Country	Germany
State	Brandenburg
District	urban district
Population	105,960 source (2005)
Area	164.23 km²
Population density	645 /km²
Elevation	59-90 m
Coordinates	51°46′ N 14°20′ E
Postal code	03040-03055
Area code	0355
Licence plate code	CB
Mayor	Frank Szymanski
Website	cottbus.de

Cottbus (Lower Sorbian : Chośebuz) is a city in Brandenburg, Germany, situated around 125 km southeast of Berlin on the Spree river. As of 30 June 2004, its population is 107,075.

Cottbus Altmarkt (old market square)

[edit] History

The settlement was established in the 10th century, when Sorbs erected a castle on a sandy island in the Spree river. The first mention of the town's name is from 1156. In the 13th century German settlers came to the town and thereafter lived together side by side with the Sorbs. In medieval times Cottbus was known for wool, and the town's drapery was exported to all of Brandenburg, Bohemia and Saxony. In 1462 Cottbus was acquired by the Prince-Electors of Brandenburg who came to rule the Duchy of Prussia in 1618. In 1815 the surrounding districts of Upper and Lower Lusatia were ceded by the Kingdom of Saxony to the Kingdom of Prussia ruled from Brandenburg.

From 1949 until German Reunification in 1990 Cottbus belonged to the German Democratic Republic.

[edit] Culture and Education

Cottbus (Chośebuz) is the cultural centre of the Lower Sorbian minority. Many signs in the town are bilingual, and there is a Lower Sorbian-medium Gymnasium, but Sorbian is rarely spoken on the streets.

Cottbus is also home to the Brandenburg Technical University (BTU) and the math/science-oriented Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium, one of Germany's best schools in international competitions.