Köthen (district)

Köthen
District

Country	Germany
State	Saxony-Anhalt
Disbanded	2007-07-01
Capital	Köthen
Area
• Total	475.11 km² (183.44 sq mi)
Population (2006-06-30)
• Total	65,096
• Density	140/km² (350/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Vehicle registration	KÖT

Köthen was a district (Kreis) in the middle of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Neighboring districts were (from north clockwise) Anhalt-Zerbst, Schönebeck, Anhalt-Zerbst, the district-free city Dessau, Bitterfeld, Saalkreis and Bernburg.

History

In 1603 the principality of Anhalt-Köthen was created, when the principality of Anhalt was split in five parts. In 1665 it merged with Anhalt-Plötzkau, and in 1807 it became a duchy. 1847 it was divided between Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Bernburg, and in 1853 it was merged with Anhalt-Dessau to form the Duchy of Anhalt-Dessau-Köthen.

When in 1863 the various parts of Anhalt were reunited, the district was created. At first the district Dessau-Köthen did cover the area surrounding the two district-free cities Dessau and Köthen. In 1950 the city of Köthen was added to the district, and it was renamed after its capital. As result of the district reform of 2007, the area was merged into the new district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld with the city of Köthen as its capital.

Geography

The district is located in the Magdeburger Börde, with soft hills from the moraines from the last ice age. The river Elbe forms part of the northern boundary of the district.

Coat of arms

The left half of the coat of arms shows a wing, which was the symbol of the family Von Cöthen, who probably founded the castle Köthen in the 12th century. The family became extinct in the 14th century. The right side shows a palm, which is the symbol of the palm order (however their official name was Fruchtbringenden Gesellschaft - fruit growing society). This order was founded by Prince Ludwig of Anhalt-Köthen in 1617, and was an association of nobles, scientists and poets. Their main goal was the care of the German language. However the society already dissolved in 1680.

Towns and municipalities

Towns	Verwaltungsgemeinschaften
Aken Gröbzig Köthen Radegast	Osternienburg Südliches Anhalt (incl. towns Gröbzig and Radegast)

External links

Official website (German)

Urban and rural districts in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany

Urban districts	Dessau-Roßlau Halle (Saale) Magdeburg

Rural districts	Altmarkkreis Salzwedel Anhalt-Bitterfeld Börde Burgenlandkreis Harz Jerichower Land Mansfeld-Südharz Saalekreis Salzlandkreis Stendal Wittenberg

Former districts	Anhalt-Zerbst Aschersleben-Staßfurt Bernburg Bitterfeld Bördekreis Burgenlandkreis Halberstadt Köthen Mansfelder Land Merseburg-Querfurt Ohrekreis Quedlinburg Saalkreis Sangerhausen Schönebeck Weißenfels Wernigerode

Cities and towns in the former district of Köthen (district)

Aken Chörau Diebzig Dornbock Drosa Edderitz Elsnigk Fraßdorf Glauzig Görzig Gröbzig Großbadegast Großpaschleben Hinsdorf Kleinpaschleben Köthen Libbesdorf Libehna Maasdorf Meilendorf Micheln Osternienburg Piethen Prosigk Quellendorf Radegast Reppichau Reupzig Riesdorf Scheuder Schortewitz Trebbichau an der Fuhne Trinum Weißandt-Gölzau Wieskau Wulfen Zabitz Zehbitz

Coordinates: 51°44′55″N 11°58′09″E / 51.74861°N 11.96917°E / 51.74861; 11.96917

Authority control	WorldCat Identities VIAF: 132628332 GND: 4096693-8

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