The Ohrekreis is a district (Kreis) in the north-east of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, Stendal, Jerichower Land, the district-free city Magdeburg, Bördekreis, and the districts Helmstedt and Gifhorn in Lower Saxony.

History

In 1680 the area of the district became part of Brandenburg, and the Holzkreis roughly covering the area of the Ohrekreis was created.

In 1816 the districts were rearranged, thus the two new districts Neuhaldensleben (later renamed to Haldensleben) and Wolmirstedt were created. Except two changes in 1908 when the municipality Rothensee became part of Magdeburg, and in 1944 when Calvörde became part of Haldensleben the districts did not change until a bigger reform in 1952. The district Haldensleben lost its southern part and instead part of the district Gardelegen was added; and Wolmirstedt lost 21 municipalities to the districts Tangerhütte, Haldensleben und Wanzleben. In 1994 the two district were merged to the new district Ohrekreis, including a few municipalities from the districts Stendal and Klötze.

Geography

The district is located in the plain called Magdeburger Börde, and named after the river Ohre which flows parallel to the canal Mittellandkanal. In the west the Aller flows through the district.

Coat of arms

The topleft part of the coat of arms show a beech branch, symbolizing the beech forests in the district. The wavy line in the bottomright symbolizes the river Ohre, after which the district is named.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)