The Ostalbkreis is a district (Kreis) in the east of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Schwäbisch Hall, Ansbach, Donau-Ries, Heidenheim, Göppingen and Rems-Murr.
The district was created in
1973, when the district Aalen was merged with most of the district Schwäbisch Gmünd.
The district is located in the east part of the
Swabian Alb (
Schwäbische Alb), hence its name which translates to
eastern alb district. Main rivers in the district are the Rems, Jagst and Kocher, all affluents of the
Neckar.
Since
1992 the district has an official partnership with the
Italian province Ravenna[?]. Also since the
1990s it has a friendship with the
Finish province Oulu.
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The imperial eagle to the left represents the free imperial cities in the district, especially the city Aalen. The lion to the right is the symbol of the Staufen family, who founded the city Schwäbisch Gmünd. These two symbols were taken from the coat of arms of the two precursor districts. The staff in the middle represents the Abbey of Ellwangen, who possessed many smaller areas scattered in the district.
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