Osterholz is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the west and clockwise) the districts of Wesermarsch, Cuxhaven, Rotenburg and Verden, and by the city of Bremen.
History
Originally ruled by the bishops of Bremen, the region became subordinate to Hanover in 1803. 1866 the kingdom of Hanover fell to Prussia. The Prussian administration established districts in 1885, among them the district of Osterholz.
Geography
The southern part of the district is part of the Bremen metropolitan area. In the north there is the Teufelsmoor ("Devil's fen"), one of the largest existing fens in Germany. Large marshes extend on both sides of the Hamme river, which runs through the district from north to south to join the Wümme river. The Wümme forming the southern border is a tributary of the Weser river; the Weser forms the western border of Osterholz.
Coat of arms
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The coat of arms displays:
- the heraldic key from the arms of Bremen
- a ship on the water, symbolising the peat ships of the 19th century
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Towns and municipalities
External links
