Westerstede Explained

Type:Stadt
Westerstede
Image Coa:DEU Westerstede COA.svg
Coordinates:53.25°N 62°W
Image Plan:Westerstede in WST.svg
State:Lower Saxony
District:Ammerland
Elevation:6
Area:179
Postal Code:26655
Area Code:04488, 04409
Licence:WST
Gemeindeschlüssel:03 4 51 007
Divisions:24 districts
Website:www.westerstede.de
Mayor:Michael Rösner[1]
Leader Term:2019 - 24

Westerstede (pronounced as /de/; Low German: Westerstäe) is the capital of the Ammerland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approximately 25 km northwest of Oldenburg.

It is known for hosting the Rhodo Festival, the biggest exhibition of rhododendrons in Europe. The festival is hosted every four years (next time in 2023).

The villages of Burgforde, Eggeloge, Felde, Fikensolt, Garnholt, Gießelhorst, Halsbek, Halstrup, Hollriede, Hollwege, Hollwegerfeld, Hüllstede, Ihausen, Ihorst, Karlshof, Linswege, Linswegerfeld, Mansie, Lindern, Moorburg, Neuengland, Ocholt, Ocholterfeld, Ollenharde, Petersfeld, Tarbarg, Torsholt, Westerloy, Westerloyerfeld and Westerstederfeld are part of Westerstede.

The railway station of Westerstede is located in the village of Ocholt, 6 km south of the town. Trains from and to Leer and Oldenburg halt there every hour.

The community (and the whole Ammerland region) is famous for its tree nurseries. They grow rhododendrons that are sold outside Germany as well. The slightly acid peat soil is very suitable for this type of horticulture.

Near Linswege village, 7 km north-east of Westerstede, a Rhododendron Park has been established next to a beautiful wooded area. The park is open to visitors in May and June every year.

Mayor

The current mayor of Westerstede is Michael Rösner (UWG), who has been in office since 2019.

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Verzeichnis der direkt gewählten Bürgermeister/-innen und Landräte/Landrätinnen. April 2021. Landesamt für Statistik Niedersachsen.