Papenburg

Papenburg is a city in the district of Emsland in Lower Saxony, Germany, situated at the river Ems. It is known for its large shipyard, the Meyer-Werft, which specializes in building cruise liners.
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Papenburg is subdivided into 6 urban districts, Papenburg-Untenende, Papenburg-Obenende, Herbrum, Tunxdorf-Nenndorf, Aschendorf and Bokel.

History

In the "Chronicle of the Frisians", written in the 16th century by the East-Frisian council Eggerik Benninga, the Papenburg (at that time a manor) is mentioned for the first time. In 1458, Hayo von Haren, called "von der Papenburch", confesses to be leaned with the Papenburg. The contract that was made because of this is the earliest verifiable documentary mention of Papenburg.

On 2 December 1630, the district administrator Dietrich von Velen purchases the manor for 1500 Reichsthaler from Friedrich von Schwarzenberg in order to found a settlement in the fen-surrounded region.

On 4 April 1631, Bishop Ferdinand von Münster leans the then castle and manor Papenburg to Dietrich von Velen. This is considered to be the foundation of the city of Papenburg.

Matthias von Velen and his wife Margartha Anna, born von Galen, endow the oldest church in Papenburg on 7 December 1680. It is dedicated to Anthony the Great, making him its patron saint.


Population statistics

(always according to 31 December)

* 1998 - 33,671
* 1999 - 33,731
* 2000 - 34,096
* 2001 - 34,266
* 2002 - 34,403
* 2003 - 34,245
* 2004 - 34,440
* 2005 - 34.905
* 2006 - 34.797
* 2007 - 35.431