Gütersloh
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| Gütersloh | |
| Coat of arms | Location |
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| Administration | |
| Country |  Germany |
|---|---|
| State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Admin. region | Detmold |
| District | Gütersloh |
| Town subdivisions | 12 |
| Mayor | Maria Unger (SPD) |
| Basic statistics | |
| Area | 111.99 km² (43.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Population | 96,284 (31/12/2006) |
| - Density | 860 /km² (2,227 /sq mi) |
| Other information | |
| Time zone | CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) |
| Licence plate | GT |
| Postal codes | 33241–33335 |
| Area codes | 05241, 05209 (Friedrichsdorf) |
| Website | www.guetersloh.de |
Gütersloh (IPA: [ˈgyːtɐsloː]) is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the area of Westphalia and the administrative region of Detmold. Gütersloh is the administrative centre for a district of the same name. Gütersloh has a population of 96,300 people.
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[edit] Geography
Gütersloh lies in the Emssandebene, south-west of the Teutoburg Forest and on the north-eastern edge of the Westphalian basin and has no significant points of elevation. The town's lowest point is 64 metres above sea level on the river Ems near the Princess Royal Barracks, Gütersloh and the highest point is 105 metres above sea level in the eastern township of Friedrichsdorf.
The border to Rheda-Wiedenbrück extends as part of the Rhedaer Forest, a large wooded area with predominantly coniferous trees. The river Dalke flows through the town from east to west, crossing close to the Stadt Park as well as the town centre and river Ems.
[edit] Major Industries
Gütersloh is an industrial town with major employers including Miele and Bertelsmann, inside the ring road is the town centre which contains a variety of shops and department stores.
[edit] Recreational Amenities
Gütersloh has two parks: the Mohns Park which contains an amphitheater, paddling pool and several adventure playground areas, and a larger park, known simply as the Stadt Park, which contains a boating lake, botanical garden, and many paths bordered by mature trees.
Swimmers are accommodated amply in Gütersloh with no less than four pools, both indoor and outdoor, the large outdoor pool has an Olympic Size Pool, Diving Boards and sunbathing space, while the original indoor pool has the usual sauna and steam rooms.
[edit] Twinning
Gütersloh is twinned with Châteauroux in France (since 1977), with Broxtowe in the United Kingdom (1978), with Grudziądz in Poland (1989) and with Falun in Sweden.
[edit] Gütersloh Air Force Base
A Royal Air Force station was located in Gütersloh until after the fall of the Berlin Wall home of RAF Squadrons 3 and 4 which flew the distinctive VTOL Harrier, they were supported by Chinook Helicopters manned by 18 Squadron and 230 Squadron which flew Puma Helicopters, there were also personnel at the station from the RAF Regiment who provided Rapier Ground to Air Missile Support. It was the most easterly of the NATO airbases during the Cold War.
The Station was originally built for the Luftwaffe who flew Junkers Bombers from the station and the runway was extended during this period with Soviet Prisoners of War, a memorial to whom now stands near Junkers Farm, a farm building which was later used as a Scout Hut within the confines of the Stations perimeter fence.
RAF Gütersloh closed in 1993.
[edit] Gütersloh British Army Base
The British Army took over RAF Gütersloh in 1993 and re-named it Princess Royal Barracks, Gütersloh. It now houses Regiments of the Royal Logistic Corps, Army Air Corps and 114 Provost Company, Royal Military Police. The second barracks in Gütersloh is called Mansergh Barracks, which holds a British high school for the armed forces.
[edit] Famous people born in Gütershloh
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