Lippe (district)

Lippe () is a Kreis (district) in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

The district of Lippe is named after the Lords of Lippe and their Principality of Lippe. It was a state within the Holy Roman Empire and today is a district of Northrhine-Westphalia.

 History 
The last prince of Lippe was forced to abdicate in 1918 after the end of World War I when Germany became a republic, his country became a Freistaat (Free State) in the German republic. In 1932 the state was divided into two districts, Detmold and Lemgo.

In 1973 the two districts Lemgo and Detmold were merged to the district Lippe.

 Coat of arms 
180px|Coat of armsThe coat of arms show the traditional symbol of the state of Lippe, the rose, as the district covers nearly the same area as the historic country. In the middle of the rose 16 stamens symbolize the 16 cities and municipalities of the district. The coat of arms was granted in 1973.

Despite the relatively small size of Lippe, the Lippish rose is also one of only three symbols included in the coat of arms of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Towns and municipalities
TownsMunicipalities Bad Salzuflen
 Barntrup
 Blomberg
 Detmold
 Horn-Bad Meinberg
 Lage
 Lemgo
 Lügde
 Oerlinghausen
 Schieder-Schwalenberg Augustdorf
 Dörentrup
 Extertal
 Kalletal
 Leopoldshöhe
 Schlangen

Cuisine
The most famous dish served in Lippe is the Pickert. In the past it was known as a meal for poor people. The main ingredients are potatoes, flour and raisins.

References

Other websites
 Official website  (German)
 Ordinances and by-laws of the county of Lippe online
 Guidelines for the integration of the Land Lippe within the territory of the federal state North-Rhine-Westphalia of 17th January 1947