| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| State: | Hesse |
| Adm. Region: | Gießen |
| Capital: | Gießen[?] |
| Area: | 854.66 km² |
| Inhabitants: | 254,731 (2002) |
| pop. density: | 298 inh./km² |
| Car identification: | GI |
| Homepage: | http://www.lkgi.de | Map |
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Gießen is a Kreis (district) in the middle of Hesse, Germany. Neighboring districts are Marburg-Biedenkopf, Vogelsbergkreis, Wetteraukreis, Lahn-Dill.
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History
In 1821 the duchy Hesse-Darmstadt created districts (called Landratsbezirke), as it had it reorganize its internal administration due to the big increase in size after during and after the Napoleonic times. In the area of today's district the Landratsbezirke Gießen and Grünberg were created. 1822 another Landratsbezirk Hungen was created. In 1832 these were replaced with bigger structures, now called Kreis, it still had two Kreise Gießen und Grünberg. 1837 several municipalities changed from Grünberg to Gießen, and Grünberg in exchange became some from Hungen, which became a Kreis in 1841.
Together with the german revolution in 1848 the districts were dissolved and replaced with a Regierungsbezirk Gießen, however just four years later the districts were recreated. After the war of 1866 the north-western part of the district became part of Prussia. In 1874 the district grew in size again.
1938 the city Gießen[?] was ordered to leave the district, and with the dissolvation of the district Schotten several municipalities joined the district.
After two minor changes in 1967 and 1971, in 1977 the district was merged with the districts Wetzlar and Dillkreis to the new Lahn-Dill-Kreis. However this big district wasn't popular, so in 1979 it was split again, and the district Gießen was recreated. The city Gießen - temporarily merged with Wetzlar to the city Lahn - was included into the district.
Geography
The main river of the district is the Lahn[?].
Coat of arms
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The coat of arms show a wooden triangle in the top, depicting the traditional house style. In the bottom is the symbol of the Saint Antonius[?] order, who founded a monastery in Grünberg in 1242, and also supported the creation of the university in Gießen in 1607. |
Towns and municipalities
External links
Official website (http://www.lkgi.de/) (German)