Recklinghausen (German pronunciation: [ʁɛklɪŋˈhaʊzən] ) is a Kreis ( ⓘdistrict) in the centre of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is surrounded by the neighbouring districts of Borken, Coesfeld, Unna, Gelsenkirchen, Bottrop, and Wesel. The district administration is located in the city of the same name.
Recklinghausen | |
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Country | Germany |
State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
Adm. region | Münster |
Capital | Recklinghausen |
Government | |
• District admin. | Bodo Klimpel (CDU) |
Area | |
• Total | 760.27 km2 (293.54 sq mi) |
Population (31 December 2022)[1] | |
• Total | 619,732 |
• Density | 820/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Vehicle registration | RE, GLA, CAS |
Apart from the Region Hannover, Kreis Recklinghausen is the largest non-city district in Germany by population.[2]
During medieval times, the area surrounding present-day Recklinghausen was known as Vest Recklinghausen, a territory which belonged to the Electorate of Cologne. From 1446 to 1576, this area was leased to the lordship of Gemen (now a part of the city Borken) and Schaumburg-Lippe. In 1811, the territory was added to the Grand Duchy of Berg, and in 1815 it became part of the Prussian Province of Westphalia.[citation needed]
The district was created in 1816. After several changes it obtained its present borders with the last reorganizations of 1975–76.[citation needed] It is also one of the oldest districts located in Germany.[citation needed]
The district Recklinghausen is located at the north of the Ruhr area with the urban parts of Ruhr area to the south and the rural Münsterland to the north.[3] The Lippe River flows through the district.
The coat of arms show a silver nettle leaf on green ground - the sign of the Herrlichkeit Lembeck, an Amt (subdivision) in the clerical state of Münster. The black cross is the sign of the Bishops of Cologne who owned a big part of the district's area, the Vest Recklinghausen. The key inside the cross symbolizes St. Peter, the patron of Cologne.[4]
Media related to Kreis Recklinghausen at Wikimedia Commons:
51°40′N 7°10′E / 51.67°N 7.17°E