Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)

Mecklenburg-Strelitz is a Kreis (district) in the southern part of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. Area 2089 km², population 88,000 (2001). The district's capital is Neustrelitz.

The district of Mecklenburg-Strelitz occupies the eastern parts of the Müritz lakeland and the Müritz National Park. There are numerous tiny lakes and swamps in the southern and western portions of the district.

The name of this district traces back to the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. This duchy was established in 1701 after the former duchy of Mecklenburg-Güstrow ceased to exist. The area of the district is roughly identical with the old duchy, although the duchy included an exclave around Ratzeburg, which is today situated in Schleswig-Holstein. The capital of the duchy was the town of Strelitz, which was completely destroyed in a fire in 1712. After this disaster the duke ordered to build a new town at the shore of a small lake called the Zierker See. This town became Neustrelitz (= "New Strelitz").

Towns in Mecklenburg-Strelitz: Neustrelitz, Feldberger Seenlandschaft[?], Mirow[?], Friedland, Wesenberg[?], Woldegk[?], Burg Stargard[?].