Menden (Sauerland)

Menden (Sauerland)
Old townhall in Menden
Menden (Sauerland)
Coordinates
Administration
Country Germany
State North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region Arnsberg
District Märkischer Kreis
Mayor Volker Fleige (SPD)
Basic statistics
Area 86.08 km2 (33.24 sq mi)
Elevation 115 - 380 m
Population 55,496 (31 December 2010)[1]
 - Density 645 /km2 (1,670 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate MK
Postal codes 58706, 58708, 58710
Area codes 02373
02378 (Halingen)
02379 (Asbeck)
Website www.menden.de

Menden (Sauerland) is a town in the district Märkischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located at the north end of the Sauerland near the Ruhr river.

Contents

History

Menden's first churches were built in the 9th century. From 1180 on the area around Menden was part of the Cologne region, however, as it was on the border with the County of Mark, it was often fought over. In 1276, it received city rights. Industrialization started early: in 1695 needle production was the first industry, later followed by limestone products like cement. In 1816 Menden was included within Prussia, after being part of Hesse for 13 years. In 1975 the city was merged with several previously independent municipalities, thus it grew in area as well as population.

Points of interest

The Hönnetal, a narrow valley with some beautiful cliffs carved into the limestone bedrock by the river Hönne.

Education

Primary education

In Menden (Sauerland), there are eleven (elementary schools).

Secondary schools

Besides four hauptschulen, two realschulen, there are three grammar schools:

Culture

The theatre, managed by the city government, is the "Theater am Ziegelbrand" (TAZ). The director is Volker Fleige.

Music

A festival is Menden à la carte. It is organized by the Initiativkreis Mendener Wirtschaft.

Personalities

Twin towns

References

  1. ^ "Amtliche Bevölkerungszahlen" (in German). Landesbetrieb Information und Technik NRW. 31 December 2010. http://www.it.nrw.de/statistik/a/daten/amtlichebevoelkerungszahlen/index.html. 

External links