Halberstadt is a district (Kreis) in the middle of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Bördekreis, Quedlinburg, Wernigerode, Goslar, Wolfenbüttel, Helmstedt.

History

The region around Halberstadt was a clerical principality, which emerged with the creation of the diocese Halberstadt in 804 and existed until the Thirty Years' War. In 1680 it was secularized and became part of Brandenburg-Prussia. During the Napoleonic wars it became part of the French-occupied Westphalia, where Halberstadt was the capital of the departement Saale. 1815 it came back to Prussia, and in 1816 it became part of the Regierungsbezirk Magdeburg within the newly established Prussian province of Saxony. At the same time the Landkreis (=district) Halberstadt was created. In 1825 it was merged with the Osterwieck district.

Geography

The district is located at the northern end of the Harz mountains.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is the same as that used by the principality and the diocese of Halberstadt historically.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)