Hildesheim (district)

Hildesheim is a Kreis (district) in the southeastern part of Lower Saxony, Germany. Area 1205 km², population 292,000 (2001). The capital of the district is Hildesheim.

The district is roughly located between the city of Hanover and the Harz mountains. The Leine river enters the district in the south, runs through the towns of Alfeld and Gronau[?] and leaves in the northwest towards Hanover. A small affluent, the Innerste[?], joins the Leine from the east after flowing through the city of Hildesheim.

The district was established in 1977 by merging the former districts of Alfeld and Hildesheim.

Towns in the district: Hildesheim, Alfeld, Bad Salzdetfurth[?], Bockenem[?], Gornau[?], Elze[?], Sarstedt[?].