From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Osnabrück (IPA: [ɔsnaˈbʁʏk]) is a district (Landkreis) in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the west and clockwise) the districts of Emsland, Cloppenburg, Vechta and Diepholz, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (districts of Minden-Lübbecke, Herford, Gütersloh, Warendorf and Steinfurt) and the City of Osnabrück.
[edit] History
The district is almost identical to the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück which existed until 1803. When the clerical states of Germany were dissolved, Osnabrück became part of the Kingdom of Hanover, which in turn fell to Prussia in 1866. The district was established in 1972 by merging four former districts (Osnabrück, Melle, Bersenbrück, Wittlage).
[edit] Geography
The landscape is characterised by two mountain chains: the Wiehengebirge in the north and the northern foothills of the Teutoburg Forest in the south. These chains enclose the City of Osnabrück.
[edit] Coat of arms
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The coat of arms displays the Bennoturm ("Benno's Tower") of Bad Iburg, which served as the fortress of the bishops until 1673. There is also a wheel displayed in the coat of arms, which is the heraldic symbol of the City of Osnabrück. |
[edit] Cities and municipalities
[edit] External links
 Urban and rural districts in the state of Lower Saxony in Germany  |
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