Dreieich Facts for Kids

Dreieich is part of the Rhine Main area, a busy region in Germany. Its northern part, Sprendlingen, is only about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Frankfurt. To the south, it's close to the city of Darmstadt. The city covers an area of about 53 square kilometers (20 square miles). It's a flat area, about 140 meters (460 feet) above sea level, so you won't find many hills here!

How Did Dreieich's Land Form?

Millions of years ago, about 35 to 20 million years ago, this whole area was under the sea. It was a warm, shallow ocean. Over time, lots of sand and other tiny bits of rock settled at the bottom. Later, the land rose, and the water left. This left behind soil that is mostly sandy.

What Towns Make Up Dreieich?

The city of Dreieich is actually made up of five smaller towns and villages. These are Dreieichenhain, Sprendlingen, Buchschlag, Götzenhain, and Offenthal. They all joined together on January 1, 1977, to form the city we know today as Dreieich.

What Does "Dreieich" Mean?

The name "Dreieich" means "three oaks." This name gives us a clue about what the area used to look like. Long ago, in the Middle Ages, the Dreieich area was a huge forest. It was full of wild animals, and only the emperor was allowed to hunt there.

Who Are Dreieich's Neighbors?

Dreieich has several neighboring towns and cities:

To the north: Neu-Isenburg
To the east: Rödermark, Dietzenbach, and Heusenstamm
To the south: Messel (in the Darmstadt-Dieburg Rural District) and Darmstadt
To the west: Langen

What is the Population and Climate Like?

In 2008, Dreieich had about 40,432 people living there. The weather in Dreieich is usually mild, meaning it's not too hot or too cold. It also gets less rain compared to some other parts of Germany.

Do People Speak a Special Dialect?

Some local people in Dreieich speak a special way of German called a Hessian dialect. It has its own unique sound and special words. In the past, almost every town had its own dialect, which could be hard for people from other areas to understand. Today, fewer people speak the old dialect. Most people speak regular German, but with a slight local accent.

A Look at Dreieich's Past

The towns of Sprendlingen and Offenthal were first mentioned in old documents way back in the 9th century. But many people believe Sprendlingen is even older than that! They think its name might have come from the Alamanni, a group of ancient Germanic tribes who lived in the area a very long time ago.

How Did People Live in the Past?

For a long time, most people in the Dreieich area were farmers or craftsmen. They weren't usually involved in trade. Each family had land to grow their own food. But when the land was passed down to the next generation, it was often divided among all the children. This meant many families ended up with very small farms and were quite poor.

How Did Things Change with Industry?

During the Industrial Revolution, the Rhine Main area became a big center for factories. Many factories focused on working with metal and making things from leather. There were also chemical factories. This meant many men found jobs in these factories. They earned money, which helped improve their living conditions.