Werra-Meißner | |
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District | |
Country | Germany |
State | Hesse |
Adm. region | Kassel |
Capital | Eschwege |
Area | |
• Total | 1,024.55 km2 (395.58 sq mi) |
Population (31 December 2015) | |
• Total | 100,715 |
• Density | 98/km2 (250/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Vehicle registration | ESW |
Website | http://www.werra-meissner.de |
Werra-Meißner is a Kreis (district) in the north of Hesse, Germany. Neighboring districts are Göttingen, Eichsfeld, Unstrut-Hainich, Wartburgkreis, district-free Eisenach, Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Schwalm-Eder, Kassel.
The district was created in 1974 by merging the two districts of Eschwege and Witzenhausen, which had both existed with only slight modifications since 1821.
The main river in the district is the Werra. The Hoher Meissner at 754 metres (2,474 ft) is the highest elevation of the Meißner mountains, a big basalt massif, the other geographical feature which gave the district its name. The Hoher Meissner was also home to US military forces up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Soldiers of the Special Forces guarded the eavesdropping post on the hilltop.
See also: Wanfried agreement.
Coordinates: 51°12′N 9°56′E / 51.200°N 9.933°E