Märkischer Kreis

The Märkische Kreis is a Kreis (district) in the middle of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Unna, Soest, Hochsauerland, Olpe, Oberbergischer Kreis, Ennepe-Ruhr, and the district-free city Hagen.

History

It was created in 1975 as one of the reorganization of the districts in North Rhine-Westphalia. The name was chosen as part of the territory belonged to the earldom Mark.

In 1975 the former districts of Lüdenscheid and Iserlohn, the previously district-free city Iserlohn, and the area around Balve which belonged to the district Arnsberg. The district Lüdenscheid itself was created just few years earlier in 1968 when the district-free city Lüdenscheid was merged with the Altena district - which was created in 1753 already.

Partnerships The district has partnership with the Wrexham County Borough[?] (Wales, UK), Elbe-Elster in Brandenburg, Germany, and the polish district Racibórz[?].

Geography

Geographically it covers the northern-western part of the Sauerland mountains, starting with the Ruhr river valley in the north, and the highest elevation at the Nordhelle of 683m. The main river through the district is the Lenne. Even though most of the area is covered by forests and it's rather sparsely occupied, it had a long industrial tradition. It was exactly the obundant wood which made steel working possible before coal was accessible in the ruhr area.

Coat of arms

Towns and municipalities

External links Official website (http://www.maerkischer-kreis.de) (German)
Touristical website for the Märkische Kreis (http://www.mk-tourismus.de) (German)