SALZKOTTEN

'Salzkotten' is a town in the district of Paderborn, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The name Salzkotten (English: Salt cottage) is based on the former salt production, which gave Salzkotten its raison d'être. Salt was found in the salty rivers around the town.

Contents

Geography

Division of the town

Industry

Population

History

Culture

Politics

External links

Geography

Salzkotten is situated at the border between the flat park landscape of the Münsterland in the north, the Soester Börde in the west and the dry rocky mountains with many forests in the south. It is full of small fountains and rivers bringing water from the mountains to the Rhine. It is located approx. 12 km south-west of Paderborn.

Division of the town

In 1975, the town of Salzkotten was merged with nine independent villages:

★ Mantinghausen

★ Niederntudorf

★ Oberntudorf

★ Scharmede

★ Schwelle

★ Thüle

★ Upsprunge

★ Verlar

★ Verne
Schwelle is commonly called ''United States of Holsen-Schwelle-Winkhausen'' because of its 3 tiny villages.

Industry

The economy of Salzkotten today focusses upon metal mining and refinery, machine manufacture, electronics, food production and services.

Population

About 40% of the population is below the age of 30.

History

Salzkotten was founded in 1247, but documents exists which indicate that salt production was already occurring in 1160. Before the town's foundation, there were a number of farms and villages, which were broken down and rebuilt within the new town walls.

Culture

The town has three significant annual celebrations: the Sälzerfest (salt festival), the Schützenfest (fair featuring shooting matches) and the Hederauenfest. The Schützenfest itself is an event that takes place in many towns and cities across the state.

Politics

The politics of Salzkotten are dominated by the conservative CDU. Since World War II, the CDU is the biggest party in the town council (German: Stadtrat). Since the 2004 local election, there are 6 groups in the town council (38 seats):

★ CDU (Christian-Democratic Union) 58.9% of the votes, 22 Seats

★ SPD (Social Democratic Party) 22.4%, 9 seats

★ UWS (Independent Voters' Community Salzkotten) 5.6%, 2 seats

★ FDP (Free Democratic Party) 5.2%, 2 seats

★ Grüne (Alliance 90/The Greens) 4.4%, 2 seats

★ FBI (Free Citizens' Initiative) 3.5%, 1 seat.

External links

★ Official site