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| Offenburg | |
| Coat of arms | Location |
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| Administration | |
| Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| State | Baden-Württemberg |
| Admin. region | Freiburg |
| District | Ortenaukreis |
| Lord Mayor | Edith Schreiner (CDU) |
| Basic statistics | |
| Area | 78.39 km² (30.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Population | 58,811 (31/12/2006) |
| - Density | 750 /km² (1,943 /sq mi) |
| Other information | |
| Time zone | CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) |
| Licence plate | OG |
| Postal codes | 77601–77656 |
| Area code | 0781 |
| Website | www.offenburg.de |
Offenburg is a city located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With over 50,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city, and also the capital of the Ortenaukreis.
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Geography
Offenburg is located near the Rhine between Karlsruhe and Freiburg. The French city of Strasbourg lies directly west across the Rhine. Offenburg lies at the mouth of the Kinzig river valley. The Kinzig flows out of the Black Forest and meets the Rhine near Kehl.
History
The city is first mentioned in historical documents dating from 1148. By 1240 Offenburg had already been declared a Free Imperial City. The city was nearly totally destroyed in the Nine Years War. In 1803 Offenburg lost its status as a free city and fell under the rulership of the Grand Duchy of Baden.
The "Offenburger Programm" which contained thirteen demands "in the name of the people of Baden" was declared at the Salmen Inn on September 12, 1847 in the run-up to the Badish Revolution during the Revolutions of 1848. This was the first democratic demand in Germany. Along with the Karlsbad Resolves, the Offenburger Programm demanded basic and human rights as well as freedom of the press and a progressive income tax structure. On March 19, 1848 the demands were confirmed by the 20,000 member Offenburg Peoples' Assembly.
Government
Mayors
- Gustav Rée (1845 - 1849)
- Karl Heitz (1949 - 1975)
- Martin Grüber (1975 - 1992)
- Dr. Wolfgang Bruder (1992 - 2002)
- Edith Schreiner (since 2003)
Representatives to the Federal Parliament
Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU)
Economy
Offenburg is home to Hubert Burda Media, a large printing and publishing company.
Culture and Attractions
There are several historical attractions in Offenburg including:
- The Salmen Inn
- The Capuchin Monastery
- The Ritterhaus a 1784 manor-house that has been converted into the city archives and museum
- The Jewish Bath (Mikwe): a medieval bathhouse belonging to the city's historical Jewish community
- The former Royal Palace (Königshof) built by Michael Ludwig Rohrer, now the Police station
Twin towns
for more see http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offenburg#St.C3.A4dtepartnerschaften
External links
- (English) Offenburg's Official Website
- (German) Information about and images
- (German) Messe Offenburg-Ortenau (fair Offenburg-Ortenau)
- (German) Webcam over the Burda-Tower
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