Laufenburg, Germany

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For the adjacent town in Switzerland see Laufenburg, Switzerland.
Laufenburg, Germany
Coat of arms Location
Coat of arms of Laufenburg, Germany
Laufenburg, Germany (Germany)
Laufenburg, Germany
Administration
Country Flag of Germany Germany
State Baden-Württemberg
Admin. region Freiburg
District Waldshut
Town subdivisions 8 Stadtteile
Mayor Roland Wasmer
Basic statistics
Area 23.58 km² (9.1 sq mi)
Elevation 337 m  (1106 ft)
Population 8,571  (31/12/2006)
 - Density 363 /km² (941 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate WT
Postal code 79725
Area codes 07763, 07753
Website www.laufenburg.de

Coordinates: 47°33′56″N 08°03′53″E / 47.56556, 8.06472
View at the German side of the city in May 2004. The bridge pictured is the old bridge.
View at the German side of the city in May 2004. The bridge pictured is the old bridge.

Laufenburg is a small city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, part of the Waldshut district. It has approximately 4300 inhabitants (including 6 outskirts 8300 inhabitants). Laufenburg is separated from a Swiss city with the same name by the river Rhine.

Contents

[edit] Cities in the near vicinity

[edit] City administration

The city of Laufenburg encompasses also Binzgen, Grunholz, Hauenstein, Hochsal, Luttingen, Rhina, Rotzel, Stadenhausen.

[edit] Brief History

The city was first noted in 1207. Celebrations are planned for 2007 in cooperation with its Swiss counterpart. Laufenburg was one city until about 1800 when Napoleon divided the city, ordering that the Rhine should become the border. Ever since the two cities have been separated by nationality, but not in their minds. The city was well placed on major rapids of the Rhine, which allowed the town to collect taxes as well as catch salmon. In the early 20th century the rapids were demolished in order to build a hydroelectric power plant. The plant provided money, but the town lost a tourist attraction.

In December 2004 a new bridge was opened to the east of the city. The old one had become too congested, because the roads connecting the bridge were single lane roads but were being used for two way traffic. This caused a fair amount of irritation among non-locals. With the opening of the new bridge a new shopping development was erected to the east of the town. The use of this development is questioned at times, because despite creating much needed jobs, the city lost some of its attractiveness and neighboring towns in Switzerland complained about some stores having to close down.

[edit] External links

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Towns and municipalities in Waldshut (district)
Coat of arms