Steinfurt (district)

Steinfurt (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtaɪ̯nˌfʊʁt] ⓘ) is a Kreis (district) in the northern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Bentheim, Emsland, district-free Osnabrück and the Osnabrück district, Warendorf, district-free Münster, Coesfeld, Borken.

Steinfurt
District
Flag of Steinfurt
Flag
Coat of arms of Steinfurt
Coat of arms
CountryGermany
StateNorth Rhine-Westphalia
Adm. regionMünster
CapitalSteinfurt
Government
 • District admin. (2020–25) Martin Sommer (Ind.)
Area
 • Total1,792.097 km2 (691.933 sq mi)
Population
 (31 December 2021)[1]
 • Total450,176
 • Density250/km2 (650/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Vehicle registrationST, TE, BF
Websitewww.kreis-steinfurt.de

Geography

The district is situated at the Lower Saxon border, north of Münster. The Ems river runs through the district from south to north. The highest point in the region is the Westerbecker Berg at 234 metres above sea level; the lowest point is Bentlage Castle at 32 metres.

History

In the middle ages and early modern period, Steinfurt was an independent county of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1806, it became part of the Grand Duchy of Berg and in 1815 it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

In 1975, the old district Steinfurt was merged with the district Tecklenburg, and together with Greven and Saerbeck from the former district Münster the current district was formed.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms combines elements from the coats of arms of the former districts of Steinfurt, Tecklenburg and Münster. The swan in the middle comes from the countship of Steinfurt, the centre of the district. The red bar around the swan symbolizes the clerical state of Münster, which lay around the dukedom of Steinfurt. The red water lily leaves were symbols of the dukes of Tecklenburg.

Towns and municipalities
Clickable map of towns and municipalities in the district
Towns Municipalities
  1. Emsdetten
  2. Greven
  3. Hörstel
  4. Horstmar
  5. Ibbenbüren
  6. Lengerich
  7. Ochtrup
  8. Rheine
  9. Steinfurt
  10. Tecklenburg
  1. Altenberge
  2. Hopsten
  3. Ladbergen
  4. Laer
  5. Lienen
  6. Lotte
  7. Metelen
  1. Mettingen
  2. Neuenkirchen
  3. Nordwalde
  4. Recke
  5. Saerbeck
  6. Westerkappeln
  7. Wettringen

Town Twinning

Steinfurt is twinned with:

References
  1. "Bevölkerung der Gemeinden Nordrhein-Westfalens am 31. Dezember 2021" (in German). Landesbetrieb Information und Technik NRW. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  2. Ealing Council.Twinning. Accessed 2008-09-19

Media related to Kreis Steinfurt at Wikimedia Commons

52°10′N 7°40′E

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