Siegen-Wittgenstein Rural District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Siegen-Wittgenstein
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| Country |  Germany |
| State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Adm. region | Arnsberg |
| Capital | Siegen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,131.47 km2 (436.86 sq mi) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 295,787 |
| • Density | 261.4183/km2 (677.070/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Vehicle registration | SI |
| Website | siegen-wittgenstein.de |
Siegen-Wittgenstein is a special kind of area in Germany. It's called a Landkreis, which is like a rural county or district. You can find it in the southeast part of North Rhine-Westphalia, a large state in Germany. The main city in this district is Siegen.
Contents
A Look at History: How Siegen-Wittgenstein Was Formed
Early Beginnings of the Districts
The area we now call Siegen-Wittgenstein has an interesting past. Long ago, in the years 1816 and 1817, two separate districts were created. These were the districts of Siegen and Wittgenstein. They became part of a larger region known as the Prussian province of Westphalia. Prussia was a very powerful kingdom in Germany at that time.
Joining Together: A New Name
Many years later, in 1974, something big happened. The two separate districts, Siegen and Wittgenstein, decided to join together. They became one larger district. Then, in 1984, the district got its current name: Siegen-Wittgenstein. This name helps remember both parts of its history.
Understanding the Coat of Arms
Every district in Germany has a special symbol called a coat of arms. It tells a story about the area. The coat of arms for Siegen-Wittgenstein has three main parts.
Symbols of Important Families
The top part of the coat of arms shows two different symbols.
- On the right side, you can see the symbol of the Dukes of Nassau. These important rulers helped start the city of Siegen.
- On the left side, there is the symbol of the Counts of Sayn-Wittgenstein. They were another powerful family in the region.
Tools from the Past: Mining and Forests
The bottom part of the coat of arms shows two tools. These tools remind us of the district's history.
- One tool is a miner's lamp. This shows that mining was a very important job in the area for a long time. People dug for valuable minerals.
- The other tool is a special hook used for coppicing. Coppicing is a way of cutting trees so they grow back quickly. This was important for getting wood and making charcoal. Charcoal was used in mining and other industries.
Cities and Towns in Siegen-Wittgenstein
Siegen-Wittgenstein is made up of several towns and smaller communities. Each one has its own unique character. Here are some of the main ones:
Major Towns in the District
Smaller Communities (Municipalities)
- Burbach
- Erndtebrück
- Neunkirchen (Siegerland)
- Wilnsdorf
