Dithmarschen
Dithmarschen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Schleswig-Holstein |
| Capital | Heide |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,405 km2 (542 sq mi) |
| Population (2002) | |
• Total | 137,500 |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Vehicle registration | HEI |
| Website | http://www.dithmarschen.de |
Dithmarschen is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Flensburg, Rendsburg-Eckernförde and Steinburg, by the state of Lower Saxony (district of Stade, from which it is separated by the Elbe river), and by the North Sea.
Geography
The district is located on the coast of the North Sea, where it is situated between the mouth of the Elbe in the south and the mouth of the Eider in the north. Today it forms an artificial island, bordered by the Eider river in the north and the Kiel Canal in the east and southeast. It is a very plain countryside that was once full of fens and swamps.
In the north it borders Nordfriesland and Schleswig-Flensburg in the east Rendsburg-Eckernförde and in the southeast Steinburg. The borders on the landside are basically identical to those of the Dithmarschen region in times of Charlemagne. Land reclamation however almost doubled the size of Dithmarschen as land was won out of the sea.
Important towns are Hamburg and Itzehoe in the south, Husum in the norh and Kiel and Rendsburg in the east. The main infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein follows a north-south direction, so Hamburg is the best accessible city.
The district has a maximal north-south length of 54 Kilometer and an east-west lengt of 41 Kilometer. The highest point is close to Schrum in the Geest at 78 Meters above sea-level the lowest close to Burg at half a meter below sea level.
Dithmarschen was formed by the North Sea. From West to East it consists of the Wadden Sea, Marsh, Bog and the Geest. 6.500 years ago the North Sea had a higher sea level then today, the coastline was running along the Geest. About 4.500 years ago Geest-structures were connected by sand and gravel Spits. Behind these spits bogs, lakes and swamps came into existence. First plants (Glasswort) began to seddle, the sea formed to Saltmarshes and finally marshes. The marshes are some of the most fertile soils in Germany, vegetable farming n Dithmarschen reaches the hightest in all of Schleswig-Holstein.
Since about the 8th century men lived on Terps to have some protection from the sea. Since the 12th century man began to build Dikes so that pastures and fields were protected as well. Since about the 15th century man began land reclamation to expand the land into the sea.
History
In medieval times the fenland villages of Dithmarschen enjoyed remarkable autonomy. In the 15th century they confederated in a peasants' republic. Several times nobles and their mercenaries tried to subdue the independent mini state, but without any success. In 1500 the greatest of these battles took place at Hemmingstedt, where the outnumbered peasants defeated the army of Holstein and the Kalmar Union. It was not until 1559 that the peasants had to give up their autonomy.
The conquerors divided Dithmarschen in two parts: The south became a part of Holstein in personal union with Denmark, the north came in the possession of the other Duke of Holstein. From 1773 all of Holstein was united in personal union with Denmark and remained so until 1864, when Schleswig-Holstein was annexed by Prussia.
The Middle Ages in Dithmarschen are held not to have ended until the 19th century, when the Kiel Canal was completed, fens began to be drained and agricultural reforms took place. Within the Bundesland Schleswig-Holstein the area was divided into the districts of Norderdithmarschen (North Dithmarschen) and Süderdithmarschen (South Dithmarschen), before it was united in 1970 in the district of Dithmarschen.
Tourism
Main attractions of tourism in Dithmarschen are the North Sea and the Wadden Sea National Park. The district owns about 10 Kilometers of green beaches, Büsum also some artifical sandy beach. In 2003 205.382 tourists slept 1.173.205 nights in Dithmarschen most of the in Büsum (756.630 nights) before Friedrichskoog (75.654) and Büsumer Deichhausen (33.811) Tourism slightly decreases in the last years, but not as much as on the Schleswig-Holstein baltic coast. The new found competition of the former Warsaw Pact states and their baltic coasts has less impact on Dithmarschen because the coastal formations aare quite different.
Heated controversy inside the district raises the question of an entrance fee for the beaches. Büsum (around 1.000.000 people coming to the beach/year) and Friedrichskoog (300.000) demand a fee, most smaller villages nearby don't.
The tourism industry in Dithmarschen tries to diversify the offerings for tourists. Fitness and Health offerings have an increasing role. It builds tracks and roads for bicycles and inline skates. Part of the North Sea Cycle Route goes through Dithmarschen. In the east of Dithmarschen ecological travel by Canoe oder Kayak along the Eider River is promoted. Policy makers and tourism agencies also emphasize the cultural and historcial roots of the District.
Coat of arms
| Coat of arms | The district displays a knight of Holstein. This coat of arms was for a long time unpopular in Dithmarschen, because it was the sign of the conquerors. The arms were used by the governors, but not accepted by the population. In 1930, when these ancient hostilities had become irrelevant, it was introduced in slightly different forms by South Dithmarschen and North Dithmarschen. When both districts were united in 1970, the arms of South Dithmarschen became the symbol of the newly merged district. |
Towns and municipalities
| Towns | Ämter | Free municipalities |
|---|---|---|
External links
- Official website (German)
- The Dithmarschen Wars (English)
- Battle of Hemmingstedt, image
Template:Navigate cities and municipalities in Kreis Dithmarschen
| Urban districts | |
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| Rural districts | |
