Falkenberg/Elster

Falkenberg/Elster
Coat of arms
Falkenberg/Elster
Location of Falkenberg/Elster within Elbe-Elster district
Coordinates:
Country	Germany
State	Brandenburg
District	Elbe-Elster
Government
• Mayor	Herold Quick (SPD)
Area
• Total	81.80 km2 (31.58 sq mi)
Population (2013-12-31)
• Total	6,561
• Density	80/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	04895
Dialling codes	035365
Vehicle registration	EE
Website	www.falkenberg-elster.de

Falkenberg is a town in the Elbe-Elster district, in southwestern Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated near the river Schwarze Elster, 16 km east of Torgau, and 13 km northwest of Bad Liebenwerda.

History

It was first mentioned in 1251. In 1547 the Battle of Mühlberg was decided in the vicinity of Falkenberg when the Saxon prince-elector Johann Friedrich I. was taken prisoner. The village itself remained of low importance until the 19th century. The manor changed hands several times, until it was bought by the municipality in 1911. In 1848, Falkenberg (Elster) station was opened on the railway Jüterbog–Röderau railway. The Halle–Cottbus railway was opened in 1872 and crossed the former at Falkenberg which became a major junction and grew considerably. Industry and businesses were established, including a power station. World War II caused major destruction. In 1962 Falkenberg was awarded town privileges. The coat of arms reflects the major branches of economy in the town: energy supply, railway, and agriculture.

Large numbers of derelict steam locomotives are stored at an old railway depot just to the north-east.

Demography

• 

  Development of Population since 1875 within the Current Boundaries (Blue Line: Population; Dotted Line: Comparison to Population Development of Brandenburg state; Grey Background: Time of Nazi rule; Red Background: Time of Communist rule)

• 

  Recent Population Development (Blue Line) and Forecasts

Falkenberg/Elster:
Population development within the current boundaries (2013)

Year Population 1875 2 850 1890 3 120 1910 6 031 1925 7 763 1933 8 578 1939 9 194 1946 11 941 1950 11 273 1964 10 346 1971 10 596

Year Population 1981 9 827 1985 9 749 1989 9 573 1990 9 443 1991 9 271 1992 9 138 1993 9 131 1994 9 091 1995 9 064 1996 8 974

Year Population 1997 8 854 1998 8 689 1999 8 554 2000 8 435 2001 8 262 2002 8 075 2003 7 953 2004 7 819 2005 7 768 2006 7 627

Year Population 2007 7 497 2008 7 378 2009 7 254 2010 7 098 2011 6 812 2012 6 650 2013 6 561