Decades ago coal was discovered in Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis. It is said that this black gold fueled the Ruhr area’s industrial rise. We are now standing in the Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis. It is a district in North Rhine-Westphalia Germany. It is part of the southern Ruhr area.
Let’s delve into the Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis. It has over 320000 residents. The district covers 408 square kilometers. It includes nine towns. Schwelm is its capital. Witten is its largest town.
Did you know the Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis is easily accessible? It is just 20 minutes from Bochum Dortmund Essen Hagen and Wuppertal. This is due to a dense highway network.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis was formed in 1929. It merged the Schwelm district with parts of Hattingen and Hagen districts. Witten became part of the district in 1975. This was during a reorganization.
Olaf Schade has been the district administrator since 2015. He was re-elected in 2020. He won with support from the SPD and The Greens.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis council governs the district. Elections were held in 2020. The SPD won the most seats. The CDU and Greens also have significant representation.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis is divided into constituencies for the State Landtag. In the federal parliament it’s divided between two constituencies. Both are currently held by the SPD.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis’s coat of arms features a checked red-white bar. This represents the County of Mark. Wavy lines depict the Ruhr and Ennepe rivers. These rivers give the district its name.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis offers a blend of urban and rural landscapes. About 70 percent is for recreation and agriculture.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis boasts picturesque old towns. These include Herdecke Wetter and Hattingen. The Wengeberg is the highest point at 442 meters. It marks the meeting point of Sauerland Bergisches Land and the Ruhr area. The Ruhr River is known as Europe’s cleanest industrial river.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis has numerous lakes. The Kemnader Harkort and Hengstey lakes are in the north. The Heilenbecker Ennepetal and Hasper dams are in the south. Forests cover a third of the area.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis’s cultural life is vibrant. Various groups and associations organize traditional events. These events attract visitors from beyond the district.
Several notable museums are located here. These include the Westphalian Industrial Museum sites. These sites are in Hattingen and Witten. Also, the Märkische Museum in Witten.
The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis offers a unique blend of history culture and nature. From its industrial roots to its scenic landscapes. It is a fascinating region to explore. Its diverse offerings make it a great place to live and visit.