Osterholz

Osterholz is a Kreis (district) in the centre of Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated north of the city state of Bremen. Area 651 km², population 111,500 (2001). The district's capital is Osterholz-Scharmbeck[?].

The southern part of the district is part of the Bremen metropolitan area. In the north there is the Teufelsmoor ("Devil's fen"), one of the largest existing fens in Germany. Large marshes extend on both sides of the Hamme river, which runs through the district from north to south to join the Wümme[?] river. The Wümme, that forms the southern border, is a tributary of the Weser river; the Weser is the western border of Osterholz.