Oschersleben

Geography

Oschersleben is located near the river Bode, 24 miles southwest of Magdeburg in a region called Magdeburger Börde. The river Bode reaches its northernmost point outside the town. Oschersleben is the most important railway station of the Magdeburg–Halberstadt–Thale line.

History

On November 23, 994 Oschersleben was first mentioned in a document by the Emperor Otto III. In 1235 it was first referred to as a town. In the 17th century most parts of Oschersleben were destroyed by fires. In 1648 it came under Brandenburg's domination. Oschersleben became a district capital in 1816 and was connected to the railway system in 1843.

In the years previous to World War II Oschersleben expanded due to the airplane factory (AGO Flugzeugwerke) that was founded there and needed numerous workers. This armament factory was also the reason why the Allied forces attacked the town ten times.

During the period of the German Democratic Republic Oschersleben was a center of agriculture in the region. Besides some industrial establishments settled there, for example the still existing manufacturer of pumps as well as sugar refineries, iron foundries, breweries, machine shops, and brick works.

Since 2000, the Motopark Oschersleben race track is used in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), and other series. In 2005, the circuit was renamed Motorsport Arena Oschersleben because of an insolvency of the investors.

In 1992, a potato processing plant of the company Agrarfrost was built, that produces French fries and potato chips. The plant processes about 140,000 tons of potatoes a year.

Climate

The town lies in the temperate zone and in the rain shadow of the Harz. In this area the long-term annual rainfall average is 489 millimeters (20 inches). Most precipitation here falls in June, averaging around 58 millimeters (2.2 inches). The lowest monthly rainfall in February with 28 mm (1.1 inches).