Vechta (district)
| Vechta | ||
|---|---|---|
| District | ||
| ||
 | ||
| Country |
 Germany | |
| State | Lower Saxony | |
| Capital | Vechta | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 813 km2 (314 sq mi) | |
| Population (31 December 2013)[1] | ||
| • Total | 134,188 | |
| • Density | 170/km2 (430/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Vehicle registration | VEC | |
| Website | kreis-vechta.de | |
Vechta (German pronunciation: [ˈfɛçta]) is a district (Landkreis) in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Oldenburg, Diepholz, Osnabrück and Cloppenburg.
History
In the 13th century the region was acquired by the bishop of Münster and became a part of his clerical state. When the clerical states of Germany were dissolved in 1803, Vechta was given to Oldenburg, while clerically still belonging to Münster, hence the name Oldenburger Münsterland is also used for the region (together with Cloppenburg district). The present district was established in 1945 and became a part of the newly founded state of Lower Saxony.
Geography
The countryside is generally flat. Only in the very south there is a hill chain close to the town of Damme, called the Damme Hills (Dammer Berge). The western shore of Lake Dümmer with its adjoining fens is also part of the district.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms displays:
- the arms of Oldenburg
- the arms of the County of Calvelage-Ravensberg (which ruled over the region before the 13th century)
- the arms of the counts of Galen (who were vassals of the bishops of Münster)
Cities and municipalities
| Cities | Free municipalities |
|---|---|
References
External links
Media related to Landkreis Vechta at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (German)
Coordinates: 52°40′N 8°15′E / 52.67°N 8.25°E
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