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Herford, Germany

Herford
Town Hall
Town Hall
Coat of arms of Herford
Coat of arms
Herford   is located in Germany
Herford
Herford
Coordinates: 52°8′0″N 8°41′0″E / 52.13333°N 8.68333°E / 52.13333; 8.68333Coordinates: 52°8′0″N 8°41′0″E / 52.13333°N 8.68333°E / 52.13333; 8.68333
Country Germany
State North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region Detmold
District Herford
Founded 789
Government
 • Mayor Tim Kähler (SPD)
Area
 • Total 78.95 km2 (30.48 sq mi)
Elevation 56-240 m (−731 ft)
Population (2015-12-31)
 • Total 66,521
 • Density 840/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 32049, 32051, 32052
Dialling codes 05221
Vehicle registration HF
Website www.herford.de

Herford (German pronun­cia­tion: [ˈhɛɐ̯fɔɐ̯t]) is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the lowlands between the hill chains of the Wiehen Hills and the Teutoburg Forest. It is the capital of the district of Herford.

The former Hanseatic town of Herford is situated in the chain of hills south of the Wiehen Hills (Ravensberg Hills). The highest place is the Dornberg (240 m) in the Schwarzenmoor district; the lowest point (56 m) is located in the Werretal in the Falkendiek district. The River Aa joins the river Werre in the centre of the town. The Stuckenberg is located east of the town.

The Herforder Ev (Ice Dragons) play in the regionaliga and have been a regular winning team. They draw an average of 800 fans.

The town was founded in 789 by Charlemagne in order to guard a ford crossing the narrow Werre river. A century later, Matilda, daughter of Theudebert, duke of Saxony, grew up in the abbey of Herford; she was a descendant of the Saxon leader Widukind. In Herford she met Henry the Fowler, who later became king of Germany.

In late medieval times Herford was a member of the Hanseatic League. It was a Free Imperial City, i.e. it was directly subordinated to the emperor. This status was lost after the Peace of Westphalia (1648), when Herford was annexed by Brandenburg-Prussia. It was administered within the Province of Westphalia following the Napoleonic Wars, and made part of the new state North Rhine-Westphalia after World War II.


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