Elster (Elbe)

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Elster


Country	Germany
State	Saxony-Anhalt
District	Wittenberg
Population	2,643 (30/06/2005)
Area	20.68 km²
Population density	128 /km²
Elevation	77 m
Coordinates	51°50′ N 12°49′ E
Postal code	06918
Area code	035383
Licence plate code	WB
Mayor	Peter Müller
Website	Gemeinde Elster

The community of Elster (Elbe) is a community in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is found in Wittenberg district and has belonged since 1 January 2005 to the administrative community (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) of Elbaue-Fläming. It had formerly belonged to the administrative community of Elster-Seyda-Klöden.

1 Geography and transport
2 History
3 Constituent communities
4 External links

[edit] Geography and transport

The community lies about 15 km east of Wittenberg and 10 km west of Jessen. Through the community runs the Federal Highway (Bundesstraße) B 187 and the railway line between Wittenberg and Cottbus.

It lies at the mouth of the Schwarze Elster, where it empties into the Elbe. The International Bicycle Trail R2 runs through Elster along the Elbe. A reaction ferry is still used here for crossing the river. Scenically charming are the Elbauen, which at high water work as natural polders. During the so-called Flood of the Century in 2006, these natural polders were not high enough to keep the water back, leading to a great deal of the community being flooded.

Moreover, in 2004, a new landing stage was dedicated where Elbe cruise ships now stop.

[edit] History

Elster had its first documentary mention in 1187 under the name Alstermunde. Until sometime before the Second World War, it was an important shipping and fishing community. Nowadays, the biggest employers are agriculture and small handicraft businesses.