Elster (Elbe)

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Elster (Elbe)
Coat of arms Location
Coat of arms of Elster (Elbe)
Elster (Elbe) (Germany)
Elster (Elbe)
Administration
Country Flag of Germany Germany
State Saxony-Anhalt
District Wittenberg
Municipal assoc. Elbaue-Fläming
Local subdivisions 4
Mayor Peter Müller
Basic statistics
Area 20.68 km² (8 sq mi)
Elevation 77 m  (253 ft)
Population 2,599  (31/12/2006)
 - Density 126 /km² (326 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate WB
Postal code 06918
Area code 035383
Website www.elster-elbe.de

Coordinates: 51°49′46″N 12°49′29″E / 51.82944, 12.82472

Elster is a municipality in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany located in Wittenberg district. Since 1 January 2005, it has belonged to the administrative municipality (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) of Elbaue-Fläming. It had formerly belonged to the administrative community of Elster-Seyda-Klöden.

Contents

[edit] Geography and transport

The community lies about 15 km east of Wittenberg and 10 km west of Jessen. Through the community runs the Federal Highway (Bundesstraße) B 187 and the railway line between Wittenberg and Cottbus.

It lies at the mouth of the Schwarze Elster, where it empties into the Elbe. The International Bicycle Trail R2 runs through Elster along the Elbe. A reaction ferry is still used here for crossing the river. Scenically charming are the Elbauen, which at high water work as natural polders. During the so-called Flood of the Century in 2006, these natural polders were not high enough to keep the water back, leading to a great deal of the community being flooded.

Moreover, in 2004, a new landing stage was dedicated where Elbe cruise ships now stop.

[edit] History

Elster had its first documentary mention in 1187 under the name Alstermunde. Until sometime before the Second World War, it was an important shipping and fishing community. Nowadays, the biggest employers are agriculture and small handicraft businesses.

[edit] Subdivisions

Elster consists of Iserbegka, Gielsdorf, Meltendorf, and Elster

[edit] External links