Altenburger Land Rural District facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Altenburger Land
District
Country	Germany
State	Thuringia
Capital	Altenburg
Area
• Total	569 km2 (220 sq mi)
Population  (2001)
• Total	113,500
• Density	199.47/km2 (516.6/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Vehicle registration	ABG
Website	altenburgerland.de

Altenburger Land is a rural district in Thuringia, Germany. Think of it like a county or a region in other countries. It's located in the eastern part of Thuringia and is mostly a farming area with lots of green fields.

A Look Back in Time

The city of Altenburg and the land around it have a long and interesting history. For many years, from 1826 to 1918, this area was a small independent state called the Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg. A duchy is a territory ruled by a duke or duchess.

After 1918, it became a state within the Weimar Republic, which was Germany's government after World War I. But this didn't last long. In 1922, the state of Saxe-Altenburg joined the larger state of Thuringia.

The district we know today as Altenburger Land has changed its shape a few times. It was first created in 1922 and was simply called "Altenburg." In 1952, it was split into two smaller districts: Altenburg and Schmölln. But in 1994, they were joined back together and given the name "Altenburger Land."

What the Coat of Arms Means

The coat of arms for Altenburger Land tells a story about its past. Each symbol has a special meaning: The red rose comes from the coat of arms of the city of Altenburg itself. The lion was a symbol used by the reeves of Plauen. Reeves were powerful local rulers who had a lot of influence in this area during the 14th and 15th centuries. The black and gold stripes with the green ring were part of the coat of arms of the House of Wettin, a very famous and important royal family in Saxony. The red acorn is a fun symbol! It represents the card game called Skat, which was actually invented right here in Altenburg.

Towns and Communities

Altenburger Land is home to several towns and many smaller communities. Here are some of the main towns in the district:

• Altenburg
• Gößnitz
• Lucka
• Meuselwitz
• Schmölln

There are also many other smaller towns and villages that make up the district, each with its own unique character.

See Also

• Thuringia