Admin. region Köln Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Population 26,990 (31 Dec 2010) Postal code 51491 | Elevation 70 - 348 m (−1,072 ft) Area 68.8 km² Local time Tuesday 5:57 PM | |
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Weather 19°C, Wind W at 14 km/h, 41% Humidity | ||
Overath ( [ˈoːvəˌʁaːt], Colognian: Ovveroth [ˈɔvəˌʁɔːt]) is a town in the Rheinisch-Bergischer district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Contents
- Map of Overath Germany
- Geography
- Subdivisions
- History
- Coat of arms
- Religion
- Population
- Roads
- Air transport
- Public Transport
- Medicine
- City council
- Mayor
- International relations
- References
Map of Overath, Germany
Geography
Overath is located about 25 km east of Cologne, in the Bergisches Land. Despite the reclassification as a 'Stadt' (town, though the German understanding leans towards city) years ago due to surpassing the relevant population threshold, the former appellation Gemeinde (parish) seems more appropriate (particularly to the inhabitants) due to the spread-out villages it consists of.
The main settlement is in the Agger valley, with others spread on the hills surrounding it. The kleine Heckberg (small Heckberg, 348 m) near Federath is the highest point of Overath, and the whole Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
Neighbouring cities are Rösrath in the West, Bergisch Gladbach in the North-West, Lindlar in the North-East, Engelskirchen in the East and Much, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid and Lohmar in the South.
Subdivisions
Overath is divided into 7 parts.
History
When first mentioned in 1060, Overath was called "Achera" (after the Agger river). Presumably because of the first settlement at a clearing (German Rodung) the name changed to "Ouerode" (about 1280), "Ovverode" (1304), "Overadt" (1582), and finally became "Overath".
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of Overath was only created on March 3, 1938. It consists of two areas:
Religion
The Catholic church is devoted to Saint Walpurga (Heilige Walburga). Until 1803 the Benedictines had a monastery in Cyriax, a subsidiary of Michaelsberg Abbey at Siegburg.
The Catholic church in Heiligenhaus is devoted to Saint Roch (Heiliger Rochus).
Marialinden's church (St. Mariä Heimsuchung) is a pilgrimage destination for Saint Mary.
Population
In 1939, the population of Overath was 6,500. In 1946, it already exceeded 10,500 and continued to grow to 15,500 in 1970. The area of the community was extended in 1975, which increased the population to over 20,000.
Since then it has risen further up to 27,106 in December 2005.
Roads
The B 55 und B 484 federal roads (German Bundesstraßen) as well as the A 4 Autobahn pass through area of the town. The A 4 has got two exits to Overath, Overath-Untereschbach and Overath.
Air transport
The Cologne Bonn Airport is reachable within 25 minutes.
Public Transport
The railway station in Overath connects the Town with Cologne and Marienheide. The train heading for Cologne departs every 30 minutes, the train heading for Marienheide departs every 60 minutes. Cologne is reachable by train in within 35 minutes.
These traffic connections, together with rural surroundings, make Overath a popular place to live for commuters.
Medicine
There is no hospital in Overath. The hospitals in Bergisch Gladbach and Engelskirchen do the medication.
City council
The city council consists of 38 members. The current breakdown, from the general elections held September 26, 2004, is as follows:
Mayor
Jörg Weigt (SPD) was elected mayor (German Bürgermeister). His first representative is Guido Lazotta (CDU), his second representative is Rolf Trefz (SPD).