Editing Minden-Lübbecke

{{Infobox German district
|name=Minden-Lübbecke
|state=North Rhine-Westphalia
|image_flag=Flagge Minden-Lübbecke.svg
|image_coa=DEU Kreis Minden-Luebbecke COA.svg
|capital=[[Minden]]
|regierungsbezirk=[[Detmold (region)|Detmold]]
|area=1,152.1
|Kreisschlüssel    = 05770
| district_admin    = Ali Doğan
| admin_party       = SPD
|carsign=MI
|url={{url|http://www.minden-luebbecke.de}}
|map={{Germany district OSM map |parent_subdivision = Q1198}}
}}
{{Coord|52|23|57|N|8|43|04|E|region:DE-NW_type:city_source:dewiki|display=title}}

'''Minden-Lübbecke''' is a ''Kreis'' (district) in the northeastern part of [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], [[Germany]]. Neighboring districts are [[Diepholz (district)|Diepholz]], [[Nienburg (district)|Nienburg]], [[Schaumburg]], [[Lippe]], [[Herford (district)|Herford]], [[Osnabrück (district)|Osnabrück]].

==Geography==
This is the northernmost district of North Rhine-Westphalia. It protrudes into [[Lower Saxony|Lower Saxon]] territory. The [[Weser]] River enters the district in the southeast and leaves to the north. In the south of the district the river runs through a narrow gorge, which is formed by two mountain chains, the [[Wiehen Hills]] in the west and the [[Wesergebirge]] in the east. This gorge is called [[Porta Westfalica (gorge)|Porta Westfalica]], since it marks the ancient border of [[Westphalia]].

==History==
Minden-Lübbecke is roughly identical with the medieval [[Bishopric of Minden]]. At its biggest extent in the 13th century, it later lost territory until it came finally to be around the size of today's district. In the 17th century the principality came into the possession of [[Brandenburg]] and thus [[Prussia]]. Lost for a time to [[Napoleon]]ic France, it came back to Prussia in 1813, and was then part of the [[Province of Westphalia]]. In 1816 the districts of Minden and Rahden were created, but in 1832 the Rahden district was merged with parts of the abolished Bünde district, and the administrative seat of the new district was [[Lübbecke]]. The district within today's borders was created in 1973 when the two districts of Minden and Lübbecke were merged.

==Miscellaneous==
The district is also known as ''Mühlenkreis'', as it has many reconstructed historic mills, many linked by the [[Westphalian Mill Route]].

==Coat of arms==
In the right half of the coat of arms are the chevrons from the arms of the counts of [[County of Ravensberg|Ravensberg]], who owned part of the district's land. The keys are the sign of the Prince-Bishops of Minden after their patron [[Saint Peter]]. After the district was merged with Lübbecke a second key was added, to symbolize the two historic parts. This new arms were granted in 1973.

==Towns and municipalities==
{{Imagemap Germany district MI|Municipalities in MI.svg|300px{{!}}thumb{{!}}Clickable map of towns and municipalities in the district}}
{|
!colspan=2 align=left|Towns
!align=left|Municipalities
|- valign=top
|width=33%|
#[[Minden]]
#[[Lübbecke]]
#[[Bad Oeynhausen]]
#[[Espelkamp]]
|width=33%|
<ol start=5>
<li>[[Petershagen]]
<li>[[Porta Westfalica]]
<li>[[Preußisch Oldendorf]]
<li>[[Rahden]]
</ol>
|width=50%|
#[[Hille, North Rhine-Westphalia|Hille]]
#[[Hüllhorst]]
#[[Stemwede]]
|}
[[File:Minden Kreishaus.jpg|thumb|District administration building in Minden]]

==Nature reserves==
There are over 60 nature reserves in Minden-Lübbecke district, covering a total of around 7,100 ha, i.e. 6.2% of the district's area. The largest are:
* [[Bastau]] meadows with 1,778 ha
* [[Weseraue]] with 774 ha
* Mindener Wald with 515 ha
* [[Großes Torfmoor]] with 511 ha
* Heisterholz with 402 ha
* [[Staustufe Schlüsselburg]] with 268 ha
* Am Oppenweher Moor with 255 ha
* [[Oppenweher Moor]] with 215 ha

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Kreis Minden-Lübbecke}}
*[http://www.minden-luebbecke.de Official Website] (German)

{{Germany districts north rhine-westphalia}}
{{Cities and towns in Minden-Lübbecke (district)}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Minden-Lubbecke}}
[[Category:Minden-Lübbecke| ]]
[[Category:Districts of North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Detmold (region)]]


{{MindenLübbecke-geo-stub}}