Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a former rural district, or Kreis, in the southern part of the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It was an administrative territory rather than a commercial brand, and its name derived from the historic Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The district occupied an area broadly corresponding to the principal territory of that former duchy, known historically as the Stargarder Land. The modern district was created in 1994 through the merger of the former districts of Neubrandenburg, Neustrelitz and Strasburg. Its territory surrounded much of the independent city of Neubrandenburg, although the city itself was not part of the district. Mecklenburg-Strelitz bordered Demmin and Ostvorpommern to the north, Uecker-Randow to the northeast, several Brandenburg districts to the south, and Müritz to the west. The neighboring Brandenburg territories included Uckermark, Oberhavel and Ostprignitz-Ruppin. The district was therefore positioned at the transition between southeastern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and northern Brandenburg. Neustrelitz served as the district capital and was the principal modern urban center associated with the territory. The historical name reaches back to the creation of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1701, following the end of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. The older duchy also contained an exclave around Ratzeburg, now located in Schleswig-Holstein, while some southern portions, including the area around Fürstenberg, are today part of Brandenburg's Oberhavel district. These historical boundaries do not correspond exactly to the later administrative district. The history of Neustrelitz is linked to the earlier town of Strelitz, which was destroyed by fire in 1712. A new settlement was subsequently established beside the Zierker See and became known as Neustrelitz, or New Strelitz. This historical development helped preserve the Mecklenburg-Strelitz name in the region's political and geographic identity. Mecklenburg-Strelitz ceased to exist as an independent district on 4 September 2011, when it was merged into the newly formed Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district as part of a statewide administrative reorganization. The name remains relevant as a historical designation and as a reference to the former duchy and district, but it no longer identifies an active German administrative unit. Unlike many other districts created in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 1994, it did not have an official district flag.

The name Mecklenburg-Strelitz originates in the political history of the Mecklenburg region. In 1701, after the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Güstrow ceased to exist, the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was established. Its principal territory was associated with the Stargarder Land, while a separate exclave around Ratzeburg was located farther west and is now part of Schleswig-Holstein. Parts of the historic duchy also extended into areas that are presently within Brandenburg, so the boundaries of the later district should not be treated as identical to those of the historic state. Strelitz was an important historical settlement in the region, but a major fire completely destroyed the town in 1712. Following the disaster, the duke ordered the construction of a new town on the shore of the Zierker See. This settlement became Neustrelitz, literally New Strelitz, and developed into the principal urban center associated with the Mecklenburg-Strelitz territory. Neustrelitz later served as the capital of the modern district. The contemporary rural district was formed in 1994 as part of an administrative reorganization in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Three pre-existing districts—Neubrandenburg, Neustrelitz and Strasburg—were merged to create Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The resulting district occupied the southern part of the state. Its northern neighbors included Demmin and Ostvorpommern, with Uecker-Randow to the northeast. To the south it bordered Brandenburg districts including Uckermark, Oberhavel and Ostprignitz-Ruppin, while Müritz lay to the west. The independent city of Neubrandenburg was almost surrounded by the district but remained administratively separate. The district's identity combined modern public administration with the older dynastic and geographic heritage of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It was not a private enterprise, product line or consumer-facing brand. Its main institutional role was the administration of local public affairs within its territorial boundaries. The district's subdivisions included towns and municipalities, although the precise list changed over time and is not reproduced here because the available reference material provides only a date-specific indication of the subdivision structure. A further territorial reform took effect on 4 September 2011. Mecklenburg-Strelitz was dissolved and merged into the newly established Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district. This ended the district's existence as an independent administrative unit. The historical name continues to identify the former duchy, the former district, and the wider regional heritage associated with Neustrelitz and the Stargarder Land. The district also had a distinctive heraldic status. In contrast to most other districts created in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 1994, Mecklenburg-Strelitz did not possess an official flag. This absence was an administrative and heraldic characteristic rather than a sign of institutional insignificance. Today, Mecklenburg-Strelitz is best understood as a historical regional designation and former district name, not as an active government body or commercial brand.

• 2011

  District dissolved in regional reform

  [1]Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)en.wikipedia.org

  On 4 September 2011, Mecklenburg-Strelitz was merged into the newly formed Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district.

• 1994

  Modern district established

  [1]Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)en.wikipedia.org

  The rural district was created by merging the former districts of Neubrandenburg, Neustrelitz and Strasburg.

• 1712

  Strelitz destroyed by fire

  [1]Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)en.wikipedia.org

  The town of Strelitz was completely destroyed by fire, leading to the construction of Neustrelitz beside the Zierker See.

• 1701

  Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz established

  [1]Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)en.wikipedia.org

  The Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was formed after the former Duchy of Mecklenburg-Güstrow ceased to exist.

A historical and administrative regional identity rather than a consumer or commercial brand.

• 2011

  Integration into Mecklenburgische SeenplatteStrategy

  Background

  A further administrative reform reorganized districts in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

  Action taken

  Mecklenburg-Strelitz was dissolved and its territory was incorporated into Mecklenburgische Seenplatte.

  Aftermath

  The district ceased to exist as an independent administrative entity on 4 September 2011.

  Source

• 1994

  Creation of a consolidated rural districtStrategy

  Background

  A state-level administrative reorganization combined the former districts of Neubrandenburg, Neustrelitz and Strasburg.

  Action taken

  The three predecessor districts were merged to form Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

  Aftermath

  The new district became a major administrative unit in southern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with Neustrelitz as its capital.

  Source

1. 1Mecklenburg-Strelitz (district)en.wikipedia.org