Lippe (district)
Lippe is a district (Kreis) in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Its capital is Detmold.
Geography:
The district is located in the Teutoburg Forest and Egge Hills. The Weser river forms its eastern boundary. The highest point in Lippe is the Köterberg.
History:
The territory of Lippe corresponds largely to the historical County and Principality of Lippe, which was an independent state until 1947. After World War II, it was merged into the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Unlike most other German states and territories of similar size, Lippe remained a single entity, even with the rearrangement of districts in the 1970s. The district council retains special rights pertaining to the historical identity of Lippe.
Coat of Arms:
The coat of arms of Lippe displays the Lippe Rose, a stylized rose design derived from the coat of arms of the historical County of Lippe.
Towns and Municipalities:
The district of Lippe is divided into 16 municipalities, of which 10 are towns:
- Augustdorf
- Bad Salzuflen (Town)
- Barntrup (Town)
- Blomberg (Town)
- Detmold (Town, Capital)
- Dörentrup
- Extertal
- Horn-Bad Meinberg (Town)
- Kalletal
- Lage (Town)
- Lemgo (Town)
- Leopoldshöhe
- Lügde (Town)
- Oerlinghausen (Town)
- Schieder-Schwalenberg (Town)
- Schlangen
Economy:
The economy of Lippe is diversified, with a mix of manufacturing, services, and agriculture. Important industries include mechanical engineering, plastics processing, and furniture manufacturing. Tourism also plays a significant role.
Culture:
Lippe has a rich cultural heritage, reflected in its numerous historic buildings, museums, and festivals. The Hermannsdenkmal, a monument commemorating the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, is a major tourist attraction. The region is also known for its traditional cuisine and dialect.