Neunkirchen | ||
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District | ||
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Country | Germany | |
State | Saarland | |
Capital | Neunkirchen | |
Area | ||
• Total | 249.16 km2 (96.20 sq mi) | |
Population (31 December 2015) | ||
• Total | 133,735 | |
• Density | 540/km2 (1,400/sq mi) | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
Vehicle registration | NK (since 1974) OTW (1957–1974); OE 3/ OE 13/ OE 23/ OE 33 (1949–1956); SA 03 (1945–1949) |
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Website | landkreis-neunkirchen.de |
Neunkirchen is a Kreis (district) in the middle of the Saarland, Germany. Neighboring districts are Sankt Wendel, Kusel, Saarpfalz, Saarbrücken, and Saarlouis.
In 1814, the district Ottweiler was created; however, its history can be traced back to 1545 when it was created as Herrschaft Ottweiler, later Amt and Oberamt Ottweiler, and during the Napoleonic times as Kanton Ottweiler. Two years after its creation, it was reorganized in 1816 by order of the Congress of Vienna. In 1866, an attempt to move the district capital to Neunkirchen failed. In 1974, the districts were reorganized, the biggest change however was the change of the capital and thus the name to Neunkirchen. Some parts of the administration remained in Ottweiler.
The entire district is located in the industrial area, which is centered in Saarbrücken. It is situated on either bank of the Blies, a major tributary of the Saar River.
Coordinates: 49°20′N 7°10′E / 49.33°N 7.17°E