Salzkotten

Salzkotten is a town in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the district Paderborn. It is a middle sized town measuring 109.49 square kilometres and has a population of about 24,000. The nearest city is Paderborn with a population of about 120,000. Salzkotten is about 12km to the south-west of Paderborn. In 1975, the town of Salzkotten was merged with nine independent villages: Mantinghausen, Niederntudorf, Oberntudorf, Scharmede, Schwelle (which is commonly called United States of Holsen-Schwelle-Winkhausen because of its 3 tiny villages), Thüle, Upsprunge, Verlar and Verne.

The economy of Salzkotten today focusses upon metal mining and refinery, machine manufacture, electronics, food production and services.

About 40% of the population is below the age of 30.

The name Salzkotten (english: Salt cottage) is based on the former salt production, which gave Salzkotten its raison d'être. Salt was found in the salty rivers around the town. Salzkotten was founded in 1274, but documents exists which indicate that salt production was already occurring in 1160. Before the town's foundation, there were a number of farms and villages, which were broken down and rebuilt within the new town walls.

The town has three significant annual celebrations: the Sälzerfest (Salt festival), the Schützenfest (Hunters' festival) and the Hederauenfest. The Schützenfest itself is an event that takes place in many towns and cities across the state.

Salzkotten is at the border between the flat park landscape of the Münsterland in the north, the Soester Börde in the west and the dry rocky mountains with many forests in the south. It is full of small fountains and rivers bringing water from the mountains to the Rhine.

The politics of Salzkotten are dominated by the conservative CDU. Since World War II, the CDU is the biggest party in the town council (German: Stadtrat). Since the 2004 local election, there are 6 groups in the town council (38 seats): CDU (Christian-Democratic Union) 58.9% of the votes, 22 Seats - SPD (Social Democratic Party) 22.4%, 9 seats - UWS (Independent Voters' Community Salzkotten) 5.6%, 2 seats - FDP (Free Democratic Party) 5.2%, 2 seats - Grüne (Alliance 90/The Greens) 4.4%, 2 seats - FBI (Free Citizens' Initiative) 3.5%, 1 seat.

The mayor is Michael Dreier (CDU).