Columbia Encyclopedia entry: Bielefeld
Bielefeldbē'ləfĕlt, city (1994 pop. 324,670), North Rhine–Westphalia, N central Germany. It has been noted since the 13th cent. for its handmade linens. Other manufactures include silks, clothing, sewing machines, bicycles, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and, most recently, electronic equipment. Chartered in 1214, Bielefeld became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1270. In 1647 it passed to Brandenburg. It is the seat of a university founded in 1966. Annexation of several neighboring cities in 1973 doubled the size of the city.
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Wikipedia search results for: Bielefeld
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Bielefeld is a county borough that is the largest city of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region. The city is situated below a pass separating the Northern and Southern Teutoburg Forest. The centre of Bielefeld is situated on the eastern side of the Teutoburg Forest, but the modern city incorporates boroughs on the opposite side and on the hilltops.
Founded in 1214 by Count Hermann IV of Ravensberg to guard a pass crossing the Teutoburg Forest, Bielefeld was the "city of linen" as a minor member of the Hanseatic League.
After the Cologne-Minden railway opened in 1849, the Bozi brothers constructed the first large mechanised spinning mill in 1851. The...more »
Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Bielefeld
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- Ravensberg
Ravensberg, former county, W Germany, now in North Rhine–Westphalia. Bielefeld was a major town in the county. In 1346, Ravensberg came under the control of the counts of Berg. It passed, with...
- North Rhine–Westphalia
North Rhine–Westphalia, Ger. Nordrhein-Westfalen, state (1994 pop. 17,759,000), 13,111 sq mi (33,957 sq km), W central Germany. Düsseldorf is the capital. The state is bounded by Belgium and t...
- Westphalia
Westphalia, Ger. Westfalen, region and former province of Prussia, W Germany. Münster was the capital of the province. After 1945 the province was incorporated into the West German state of No...
