Soest Rural District facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Soest
District
Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Adm. region	Arnsberg
Capital	Soest
Area
• Total	1,327.47 km2 (512.54 sq mi)
Population  (2001)
• Total	307,809
• Density	231.8764/km2 (600.557/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Vehicle registration	SO
Website	http://www.kreis-soest.de

Soest is a special kind of area in Germany called a Kreis, or district. It's located right in the middle of a larger state named North Rhine-Westphalia. Think of it like a county in some other countries. Soest is known for its history and its beautiful landscapes.

What is the Soest District?

The Soest district is a part of Germany that brings together several towns and smaller communities. It's a place where many people live and work. The main city in this district is also called Soest. This area is important for both its past and its modern life.

What Does the Soest Coat of Arms Mean?

Every district has a special symbol called a coat of arms. The Soest coat of arms tells a story about its history. It has two main symbols from the bishops of Cologne. These bishops used to own the Soest area until the year 1449.

Symbols on the Coat of Arms

On the left side, you'll see a key. This key belongs to Saint Peter, who was a very important figure for Cologne. On the right side, there's a black cross, which is another symbol of Cologne.

Later, in 1976, the district of Soest joined with another area called Lippstadt. To show this new connection, a rose was added to the top of the black cross. The rose is a symbol of the Lippe area, where Lippstadt is located. This new design became the official coat of arms for the Soest district.

Towns and Communities in Soest

The Soest district is made up of several different towns and smaller communities. These places work together as part of the district. Here are some of the main towns and municipalities you can find in the Soest district: