Karlsruhe (district)

Karlsruhe is a district (Kreis) in the north-west of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Rhein-Neckar, Heilbronn, Enzkreis, Calw, Rastatt, Germersheim, Ludwigshafen and the district-free city Speyer. . The district-free city Karlsruhe is located in the middle of the district, and cuts it into a northern and a southern part.

History The historic origin of the district is the Oberamt Karlsruhe. In 1809 it was split into one part responsible for the city Karlsruhe (Stadtamt), and one for the sorrounding municipalities (Landamt). In 1865 however both parts were merged again to the Bezirksamt Karlsruhe. 1938 it was split again, this time with the district Karlsruhe for the sorrounding part, and the city-district Karlsruhe for the urban area. In 1973 the district was enlarged by adding the complete district Bruchsal and parts of the districts Sinsheim, Vaihingen, Pforzheim and Rastatt; some municipalities were also added to the city Karlsruhe and therefore left the district.

Geography The west part of the district is located in the Rhine valley. The area in the east belongs to the landscape Kraichgau, and also to the northern foothills of the Black Forest.

Partnerships Starting in 1978 the district has a partnership with the Welsh county Gwent. In 1996 Gwent was split due to a administrative reform, so now the partnership is continued with the two districts Monmouthshire and Torfaen[?].

Since 1990 the district has a partnership with the district Döbeln in Saxony; since 1992 with the Israelian region Sha’ar Hanegev[?].

Coat of arms

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (http://www.landkreis-karlsruhe.de) (German)