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Münster (Westfalen)

Münster
Aerial view of Münster
Aerial view of Münster
Flag of Münster
Flag
Coat of arms of Münster
Coat of arms
Münster  is located in Germany
Münster
Münster
Coordinates: 51°58′N 7°38′E / 51.967°N 7.633°E / 51.967; 7.633Coordinates: 51°58′N 7°38′E / 51.967°N 7.633°E / 51.967; 7.633
Country Germany
State North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region Münster
District Urban district
Founded 793
Government
 • Lord Mayor Markus Lewe (CDU)
 • Governing parties CDU
Area
 • Total 302.89 km2 (116.95 sq mi)
Elevation 60 m (200 ft)
Population (2015-12-31)
 • Total 310,039
 • Density 1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 48143–48167
Dialling codes 0251
 02501 (Hiltrup, Amelsbüren)
 02506 (Wolbeck, Angelmodde)
 02533 (Nienberge)
 02534 (Roxel)
 02536 (Albachten)
Vehicle registration MS
Website www.muenster.de

Münster (German pronun­cia­tion: [ˈmʏnstɐ]; Low German: Mönster; Latin: Monasterium, from the Greek μοναστήριον monastērion, "monastery") is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland. Münster was the location of the Anabaptist rebellion during the Protestant Reformation and the site of the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War in 1648. Today it is known as the bicycle capital of Germany.

Münster gained the status of a Großstadt (major city) with more than 100,000 inhabitants in 1915. Currently there are 300,000 people living in the city, with about 55,500 students, only some of whom are recorded in the official population statistics as having their primary residence in Münster.

In 793, Charlemagne sent out Ludger as a missionary to evangelise the Münsterland. In 797, Ludger founded a school that later became the Cathedral School.Gymnasium Paulinum traces its history back to the school. Ludger was ordained as the first bishop of Münster. The first cathedral was completed by 850. The combination of ford and crossroad, market place, episcopal administrative centre, library and school, established Münster as an important centre. In 1040, Heinrich III became the first king of Germany to visit Münster.


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