Elster (Elbe)

Infobox Ort in Deutschland
image_photo =
Wappen = Wappen elster.pnglat_deg = 51 |lat_min = 49 |lat_sec = 46
lon_deg = 12 |lon_min = 49 |lon_sec = 29
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Sachsen-Anhalt
Landkreis = Wittenberg
Verwaltungsgemeinschaft = Elbaue-Fläming
Höhe = 77
Fläche = 20.68
Einwohner = 2599
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 06918
Vorwahl = 035383
Kfz = WB
Gemeindeschlüssel = 15 0 91 085
Gliederung = 4
Adresse-Verband = Karl-Marx-Platz 8
06895 Zahna
Website = [http://www.elster-elbe.de/ www.elster-elbe.de]
Bürgermeister = Peter Müller

Elster is a municipality in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany located in Wittenberg district. Since 1 January 2005, it has belonged to the administrative municipality ("Verwaltungsgemeinschaft") of Elbaue-Fläming. It had formerly belonged to the administrative community of Elster-Seyda-Klöden.

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.

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.

ubdivisions

Elster consists of Iserbegka, Gielsdorf, Meltendorf, and Elster

External links

* [http://www.elster-elbe.de Elster/Elbe The Community of Elster]
* [http://www.elbe-elster-tour.de/ Elbe-Elster Tourism Association]
* [http://www.regionalverein-jessen.de/home.php regionalverein-jessen.de]