Gießen is a Kreis (district) in the middle of Hesse, Germany. Neighboring districts are Marburg-Biedenkopf, Vogelsbergkreis, Wetteraukreis, Lahn-Dill.

History

In 1821 the duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt created districts (called Landratsbezirke) in the reorganisation of its internal administration. In the area of today's district the districts of Gießen and Grünberg were created. 1822 another district called Hungen was created. In 1832 these entities were replaced with bigger structures, now called Kreis. There were still two districts, Gießen und Grünberg. 1837 several municipalities moved from Grünberg to Gießen, and Grünberg in exchange acquired some municipalities from Hungen, which became a district again in 1841.

After the revolutionary uprisings of 1848 the districts were dissolved and replaced with a Regierungsbezirk Gießen, but just four years later the districts were recreated. After the war of 1866 the north-western part of the district became part of Prussia. In 1874 the district grew in size again.

1938 the city of Gießen was excluded from the district, and with the dissolution of the district Schotten several municipalities joined the district.

After two minor changes in 1967 and 1971, in 1977 the district was merged with the districts Wetzlar and Dillkreis to form the new Lahn-Dill-Kreis. In 1979 it was split again, and the district Gießen was recreated. The city Gießen - temporarily merged with Wetzlar to the city Lahn - was included into the district.

Geography

The main river of the district is the Lahn, which crosses the district from north to south.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms shows a wooden triangle in the top, depicting the traditional house style. In the bottom there is the symbol of the Saint Antonius order, which founded a monastery in Grünberg in 1242, and also supported the foundation of the university on Gießen in 1607.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)