Falkenberg/Elster

Falkenberg/Elster

Coat of arms
Falkenberg/Elster

Coordinates: 51°34′59″N 13°13′56″E / 51.58306°N 13.23222°ECoordinates: 51°34′59″N 13°13′56″E / 51.58306°N 13.23222°E
Country Germany
State Brandenburg
District Elbe-Elster
Government
 • Mayor Herold Quick (SPD)
Area
 • Total 81.80 km2 (31.58 sq mi)
Population (2012-12-31)[1]
 • Total 6,650
 • Density 81/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 04895
Dialling codes 035365
Vehicle registration EE
Website www.falkenberg-elster.de

Falkenberg is a town in the Elbe-Elster district, in southwestern Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated near the river Schwarze Elster, 16 km east of Torgau, and 13 km northwest of Bad Liebenwerda.

History

It was first mentioned in 1251. In 1547 the Battle of Mühlberg was decided in the vicinity of Falkenberg when the Saxon prince-elector Johann Friedrich I. was taken prisoner. The village itself remained of low importance until the 19th century. The manor changed hands several times, until it was bought by the municipality in 1911. In 1848, Falkenberg (Elster) station was opened on the railway Jüterbog–Röderau railway. The Halle–Cottbus railway was opened in 1872 and crossed the former at Falkenberg which became a major junction and grew considerably. Industry and businesses were established, including a power station. World War II caused major destruction. In 1962 Falkenberg was awarded town privileges. The coat of arms reflects the major branches of economy in the town: energy supply, railway, and agriculture.

Large numbers of derelict steam locomotives are stored at an old railway depot just to the north-east.

Demography

Falkenberg/Elster:
Population development within the current boundaries[2]
Year Population
1875 2 850
1890 3 120
1910 6 031
1925 7 763
1933 8 578
1939 9 194
1946 11 941
1950 11 273
1964 10 346
1971 10 596
Year Population
1981 9 827
1985 9 749
1989 9 573
1990 9 443
1991 9 271
1992 9 138
1993 9 131
1994 9 091
1995 9 064
1996 8 974
Year Population
1997 8 854
1998 8 689
1999 8 554
2000 8 435
2001 8 262
2002 8 075
2003 7 953
2004 7 819
2005 7 768
2006 7 627
Year Population
2007 7 497
2008 7 378
2009 7 254
2010 7 098
2011 6 812
2012 6 650

Detailed data sources are to be found in the Wikimedia Commons.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Bevölkerung im Land Brandenburg nach amtsfreien Gemeinden, Ämtern und Gemeinden 31. Dezember 2012 (XLS-Datei; 83 KB) (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011)". Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (in German). 31 December 2012.
  2. ↑ Boundaries as of 2013
  3. ↑ Population Projection Brandenburg at Wikimedia Commons