Vechta is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Oldenburg, Diepholz, Osnabrück and Cloppenburg.
History
In the 13th century the region was acquired by the bishop of Münster and became a part of his clerical state. When the clerical states of Germany were dissolved in 1803, Vechta was annexed by Oldenburg. The present district was established in 1945 and became a part of the newly founded state of Lower Saxony.
Geography
The countryside is generally plain. Only in the very south there is a hill chain close to the town of Damme, called the Dammer Berge. The western shore of the Dümmer lake with its adjoining fens is also part of the district.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms displays:
- the arms of Oldenburg
- the arms of the county of Calvelage-Ravensberg (that ruled over the region before the 13th century)
- the arms of the counts of Galen (who were vassals of the bishops of Münster)
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Towns and municipalities
External links
Template:Germany districts lower saxonyde:Landkreis Vechta
