• Gross-Gerau
• Hersfeld-Rotenburg
• Hochtaunuskreis
• Lahn-Dill-Kreis
  
• Landkreis Bergstraße
  
• Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg
• Landkreis Fulda
• Landkreis Gießen
• Landkreis Kassel
• Landkreis Offenbach
• Limburg-Weilburg
• Main-Kinzig-Kreis
• Main-Taunus-Kreis
• Marburg-Biedenkopf
• Odenwaldkreis
• Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis
• Schwalm-Eder-Kreis
• Vogelsbergkreis
• Waldeck-Frankenberg
• Werra-Meißner-Kreis
• Wetteraukreis
  

Landkreis Gross-Gerau is a rural administrative district situated in the Upper Rhine Graben. The rivers Main and Rhine form its northern and western boundaries respectively. The foothills of the Odenwald begin in the east of the district. Even on aerial photographs taken at very high altitudes, the Gross-Gerau district is easily recognisable: it is the triangle of land immediately to the south and east of the geographically striking confluence of the Main and the Rhine. Nearly 250,000 people live in its 14 towns and municipalities. The local people think, feel and live internationally. From the Romans 2,000 years ago, the Waldensians from 1699, the “released” peasant farmers of the 19th century, the expellees and refugees after 1945 to the economic migrants of the 1960s and 1970s, people from different cultures have repeatedly settled in Gross-Gerau district, initiated economic growth and built material prosperity while providing new cultural impetus.

Essentially, the district covers the middle of the Fulda valley. The peaks of the Knüll Mountains (sometimes known simply as the “Knüll”) rise to the west and the peaks of the Werra-Fulda-Bergland to the east. The district’s highest elevation is the Eisenberg (636 metres) in the Hochknüll. The name Waldhessen is now widely used to refer to the district in the tourism industry.

Hochtaunuskreis is the centre of the Taunus mountains. With 50% forest coverage and 30% agricultural land use, the district offers a diverse variety of landscapes. Furthermore, the southern slopes present an exceptional vista of the Rhine Main Region and the Frankfurt skyline. A special atmosphere is offered not only by the region’s landscapes, but also its historical buildings. In addition to fortifications dating from Celtic and Roman times (e.g. the Saalburg), you will find not only picturesque castle ruins and palaces, but also spa centres that have retained their 19th century aristocratic charm.

The Lahn and Dill rivers give their name to the district, which has developed in a number of stages. Initially, in 1977, it encompassed the region around the town of Lahn. However, the district was split up and restructured in 1979. The smaller administrative unit became the new rural district in central Hesse, consisting of parts of the old Wetzlar district and the Dillkreis. The Dill is a major tributary of the Lahn and both their valleys characterise the surrounding landscape. The Lahn flows from the east through the southern part of the district, passing through Wetzlar, the district seat, where it is joined by the Dill, and then flows westward, leaving the district at Leun, on its way to Weilburg. The northern part of the district includes the Kalteiche ridge and the Haincher Höhe, the western part the foothills of the Westerwald and the southern part the central Lahn valley and parts of the Hintertaunus mountains.
The Lahn-Dill-Kreis offers a great variety of recreational and adventure opportunities as well as numerous major attractions.

Kreis Bergstrasse offers perfect filming conditions and is the best location in Germany when it comes to average temperatures and the number of sunny days. In terms of landscapes, the district consists of four different parts: the Bergstrasse with its castles, historical squares and vineyards, the Neckar valley, the Odenwald and the Ried, which is home to one of Germany’s largest shopping malls, the Rhein-Neckar-Zentrum. The district is part of a UNESCO Geopark and Lorsch Abbey is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rural district offers to provide assistance in finding appropriate locations, gaining necessary filming permission and obtaining accommodation for casts and crews.

Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg lies on the edge of the northwestern foothills of the Odenwald in Regierungsbezirk Darmstadt, the administrative region in south Hesse. The main seat of the district administration is located in the Kranichstein quarter of Darmstadt. The district has a varied mix of landscapes. Scenically, its western part, with Weiterstadt, Griesheim and Pfungstadt, belongs to the river plain of Hessisches Ried. The southwestern part around Seeheim and Alsbach belongs to the Bergstrasse, the region that forms the transitional link between the Upper Rhine Valley and the Odenwald mountains, which also extends into the south of the district. The area around Darmstadt and Messel is characterised by a densely forested and thinly populated upland landscape. The northeastern part of the district, Dieburger und Umstädter Land, is a very fertile and also upland area that is crossed by numerous streams and the Gersprenz river and gently merges into the Odenwald.
The Dieburger Land is very fertile with conditions that are even suitable for winegrowing around Gross-Umstadt. Cultivation of asparagus yields high turnovers in the west of the district.
Other important economic areas include services and large building materials and food markets that benefit from their proximity to the highway.
Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg has a population of more than 290,000 and is situated in the middle of one of Europe’s most powerful economic regions. The attractive location and the diversity of its products are the reason why Darmstadt-Dieburg is a growth district. High-tech and tranquillity represent ideal complements.

Landkreis Fulda consists of 23 towns and municipalities including Fulda itself, the district seat, which has special regional status as a town with more than 50,000 inhabitants. The rural district extends over an area of 1,380 square kilometres and approx. 215,000 people live within its boundaries.
Bordered by the Rhön and Vogelsberg mountains and traversed by the river Fulda, the almost 1,400 square kilometres of the Fulda district in Hesse is not only at the heart of Germany, but also Europe. Surrounded on both sides by mountains that rise from the river valley to almost one thousand metres, the Baroque city of Fulda is the cultural and economic centre of this multifaceted district. The venerable town of St. Boniface, which was able to celebrate its 1,250th jubilee in 1994, is also the seat of the district administration. Thanks to beautiful countryside and the intact natural environment of the Rhön and the Vogelsberg as well as the charm of the Baroque city of Fulda, the district is not only a popular tourist region, but also an interesting place to live and work. This is also due to the local economy, which is relatively stable and characterised by a strong small and medium-sized business sector, as well as well-developed infrastructure in the fields of education, health and culture.

Situated in the densely wooded centre of Hesse, Landkreis Giessen encompasses 18 towns and municipalities and has a population of over 250,000. The 856-square-kilometre district encompasses an upland landscape with gentle transitions between mountains and valleys. This varied landscape is marked by the foothills of the Vogelsberg in the east, by the undulating plain of the Wetterau in the south and by the Gladenbacher Bergland and the romantic Lahnaue in the west. It extends to the Marburger Land in the north. Located in the centre of Hesse, at the junction of the A5 (Frankfurt – Kassel) and A45 (Dortmund – Würzburg) highways and offering favourable rail access from the regional centre Giessen, the district is easy to reach. Large connected areas of woodland, picturesque villages and numerous palaces, castles and fortress ruins provide attractive destinations for visitors to the region.

The fairytale land of the Brothers Grimm also forms Hesse’s green northern tip. The district has approximately 500 square kilometres of forest, which accounts for more than a third of its total land area. Just walking through Reinhardswald takes a good eight hours – not including a break at the Sababurg, or Sleeping Beauty’s Castle as the locals call it. Altogether, the district covers an area of just under 1,300 square kilometres. The territory of the independent city of Kassel accounts for another 100 square kilometres. The district incorporates 29 towns and municipalities, including Baunatal, the largest town with a population of 28,000, and Nieste, the smallest municipality with 1,500 inhabitants. Its recent history began with the local government reform of the early 1970s, in which some 100 previously autonomous municipalities were amalgamated into the present district.
However, the history of the towns and municipalities themselves goes back much further, as a glance at their historic timber-framed centres immediately makes clear. Attractive sights are to be found all over the district. Almost four dozen castle ruins are to be found in the “fairytale land” and it is well worth paying a visit to the well-preserved Trendelburg, from whose tall tower you can still see Rapunzel’s hair hanging down. Kaufungen’s almost 1,000-year history is brought to life by the Stiftskirche. Kunigunde, the wife of Emperor Henry II, founded a nunnery here where she spent the last years of her life. During the Reformation the nunnery was transformed into a church, the Stiftskirche, and the picturesque buildings around the Stiftshof have remained the seat of Hesse’s knights until today.

Situated on the border between Hesse and Bavaria and directly on the river Main, Kreis Offenbach lies at the centre of the Rhine Main Region, which has long since made a name for itself throughout Europe as an important economic centre and metropolitan area at the heart of Germany. Over 335,000 people live in the 13 towns and municipalities of the district. Hesse’s highest population density and steady population growth indicate that this region will continue to offer great opportunities and prospects in the future. A colourful and multifaceted range of clubs and associations, a broad spectrum of cultural activities, a differentiated social security system and varied educational opportunities make the district stand out. Furthermore, Landkreis Offenbach offers entrepreneurial diversity, attractive housing opportunities and recreational facilities as well as well-developed infrastructure.

Landkreis Limburg-Weilburg is situated in Regierungsbezirk Giessen, Hesse. Its administrative seat is Limburg an der Lahn. The district lies between the Taunus and Westerwald mountain chains and a large part consists of the valley landscapes of the Lahn (Weilburger Lahntal and Limburger Becken), the river that flows through the district from the northwest to the southwest. Due to its favourable soil and climate, Limburger Becken forms one of Hesse’s most fertile agricultural areas. It has also been an important transport route since the Middle Ages as a favourable Lahn crossing. Next to the Limburger Becken is the Goldener Grund, another very fertile agricultural landscape.

The district on the Kinzig stretches from Frankfurt’s city limits to Distelrasen and from the woodlands of the Spessart in Bavaria and the uplands of the Vogelsberg to the Rhön and the Wetterau. The source of the river rises near Sinntal-Sterbfritz in the northeast and flows into the Main in Hanau. Its rich woodlands, the river landscapes of Kinzig valley, on the one hand, and the immediate proximity to the economic centres of Frankfurt and the Rhine Main Region, on the other, make the Main-Kinzig-Kreis highly attractive not only as a place to live, but also as a tourist destination. The largest town is Hanau with a population of almost 90,000. It is also where the Kinzig flows into the Main. The two rivers do not only give the district its name, but also shape a greater part of its natural landscape. In addition to Hanau, the town of Maintal and municipality of Grosskrotzenburg also lie on the banks of this major waterway. Main-Kinzig-Kreis presents a diversity of landscapes. The countryside in the west is characterised by the Main valley and the gentle undulations of the Wetterau. It is the location of expansive meadows with fruit trees and numerous cider presses. Towards the east, the hills of the Vogelsberg and Spessart rise up along both sides of the Kinzig. Eventually they are joined by the foothills of the Rhön and form the Bergwinkel, an area where a number of mountain chains meet.

Main-Taunus-Kreis, located in the middle of the Rhine Main economic region and a member of the Naturpark Hochtaunuskreis, is a district of great diversity and fascinating contrasts. The location of the district at the intersection of major transport routes and in immediate proximity to the economic metropolis Frankfurt am Main has always been responsible for varied and sustained development of the cultural landscape. The service locations in the east, marked by the high-rise office buildings in Eschborn, are just as much part of this diversity as the spa facilities in Bad Soden, the vineyards of Hochheim and Wicker, fruitgrowing in Kriftel and the natural beauty of the Nassauische Schweiz. However, hidden treasures, such as large numbers of beautiful village churches, prehistoric and historic remains, wayside crosses and witnesses of industrial history, create the special appeal of the district and its towns and municipalities. Integrating the countryside between the Main and the Taunus into the Rhine Main Regional Park paved the way for weaving past and present into a living entity that people can experience at first hand.

Landkreis Marburg-Biedenkopf is part of Regierungsbezirk Giessen, the administrative region in Hesse. The neighbouring districts are Landkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg in the north, Schwalm-Eder-Kreis in the northeast, Vogelsbergkreis in the east, Landkreis Giessen in the south, Lahn-Dill-Kreis in the southwest and Kreis Siegen-Wittgenstein in North Rhine-Westphalia in the west. The district seat is Marburg. Almost the entire district is characterised by upland landscapes. In the northwest, the district extends into the Rothaargebirge, which belongs to the Rheinische Schiefergebirge (Rhenish Slate Mountains). In the north, it extends into the Early Triassic sandstone of the southern Burgwald and to the south of that the Lahnberge, Marburger Rücken and in the southwest it stretches into the Gladenbacher Bergland. Lower and sometimes flat landscapes are found along the Lahn valley south of Marburg in the direction of Marburg and in the Amönneburger Becken, the basin east of Marburg between Cölbe and Kirchhain. The highest elevation, 674 metres, is Sackpfeife near Biedenkopf. One particularly conspicuous feature is the basalt cone at Amöneburg that towers over the river Ohm.

Odenwaldkreis is a rural district in Regierungsbezirk Darmstadt, the administrative region in south Hesse. Odenwaldkreis includes only the central part of the Odenwald mountains, which also extend into Kreis Bergstrasse in the west and into Bavaria and Baden in the east and south respectively. With only just over 100,000 inhabitants, its population is the lowest of all the rural districts in Hesse. The attractive countryside of the Odenwald district is characterised by the numerous peaks with magnificent views and superb beech groves. The many castles and palaces as well as boundary stones and stone crosses bring to life its chequered historical past.

In terms of its cultural areas of the Taunus (Hoher Taunus, west Untertaunus, east Untertaunus and Idsteiner Senke) and Rheingau/Central Rhine Valley (Rheingau and Upper Central Rhine Valley), Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis presents a high level of diversity. Depending on land use, you will find very different cultural landscapes – for example, the winegrowing landscape of the Rheingau, the extensive forest landscape of the Wispertaunus and west Untertaunus and the open, agricultural landscape of the Untertaunus in the basin of the Idsteiner Senke. In combination with local historical and structural characteristics, this gives rise to distinctive landscapes and topographies that are highly attractive for both tourism and recreation.
In economic terms, Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis includes the more rural western district as well as the towns and municipalities of the Rhine Main agglomeration on the edge of the state capital Wiesbaden. Bad Schwalbach, Eltville am Rhein, Geisenheim, Idstein, Rüdesheim am Rhein fulfil important functions as housing and business locations. Proximity to the metropolitan area, favourable transport links and the high quality of housing and recreational facilities offer excellent development opportunities for tourism and supraregional educational, cultural and care establishments.

Geographically, Schwalm-Eder-Kreis lies in the triangle between the cities of Kassel, Marburg and Bad Hersfeld in the north of the state of Hesse, but at the centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Schwalm-Eder-Kreis encompasses 11 towns and 16 municipalities and has roughly 191,000 inhabitants. Its administrative seat is Homberg (Efze). Covering an area of 1,538 square kilometres, Schwalm-Eder-Kreis is the second largest rural district in Hesse. It stretches from the confluence of the Eder and Fulda in the north to the Stölzinger Gebirge in the east, to the river Schwalm and the Knüll mountains in the south and the Kellerwald mountains in the west. The main areas of this beautiful countryside are the charming river valleys of the Fulda, Schwalm and Eder as well as the nature parks of Kellerwald and Habichtswald and the Knüll mountain range with its copious mixed forests. The panorama of landscapes in Schwalm-Eder-Kreis presents diverse and varied structures: wooded mountains, river and brook valleys, colourful meadows and vast fields, romantic timber-framed towns and idyllic villages.

Vogelsbergkreis is the most eastern rural district in Regierungsbezirk Giessen and lies between Giessen and Fulda, 70 to 100 kilometres northeast of Frankfurt am Main.
The Vogelsberg mountains are the product of volcanic activity in the Neogene period. The region 70 kilometres north of Frankfurt am Main represents the largest volcanic zone in Europe with a basalt area of 2,500 square kilometres and a diameter of 60 kilometres. The volcano was active for more than ten million years, but has now been extinct for seven million years. Oberwald with the Hoherodskopf peak was the centre of the volcano. Its shape has been dramatically changed by powerful erosion – particularly during the ice ages – on a scale not seen in any other climatic zone. The numerous streams flowing radially outwards from the volcano are typical of this kind of landscape. The countryside is characterised by a varied patchwork of meadows, fields and forests. Woodlands account for 38% of the district’s land area. 50% is used agriculturally. The landscape is very diverse and the climate sometimes a little harsh – but the intact environment sends out a clear message: tranquillity, security, health, diversity and recreation. Hesse’s first nature reserve was created in 1958: Naturpark Hoher Vogelsberg is a varied and species-rich habitat for fauna and flora. The harmonious character of the Vogelsberg region is rounded off by the attractive atmosphere in its 19 towns and municipalities with their often beautiful medieval centres. Taufstein is the Vogelsberg’s highest elevation, 774 metres. Geographically, Vogelsbergkreis encompasses the Hoher Vogelsberg and its northern edges. Its borders are formed by the basin of the Fuldaer Senke in the east, the lowland of the Schwalm and the mountains of the Oberhessische Schwelle in the north and the Amöneburger Becken in the west.

Waldeck-Frankenberg is a varied and intact landscape, strongly influenced by three large reservoirs. You can discover the charm of the past in medieval timber-framed towns or follow the course of history in one of many castles and palaces. Areas of protected countryside, such as Naturpark Diemelsee or Edersee-Kellerwald-Region, enable visitors to experience the peace and tranquillity of great natural settings.
Waldeck-Frankenberg has developed favourable business structures and proven largely immune to economic crises. Two large companies have achieved worldwide renown, otherwise the economic landscape is dominated by small and medium-sized industrial and trading enterprises. Despite sometimes intensive industrial activity, Waldeck-Frankenberg has the highest environmental quality of all Hesse’s rural districts.
Waldeck-Frankenberg is not only the place for nature enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, but also for culture lovers. With its many architectural and artistic monuments, magnificent churches and medieval places of interest, the district represents a perfect travel destination for art and culture lovers from near and far. Bad Arolsen, in particular, has become an important cultural hub with its Baroque festival and a developing library centre. Outstanding events in the cultural calendar also include the monastery concerts in Haina, church concerts in Bad Wildungen-Reinhardshausen and events at the Lokschuppen in Frankenberg.

Werra-Meissner-Kreis is a rural district in Regierungsbezirk Kassel in north Hesse. The first part of the district’s name refers to the river Werra, which enters the district from Thuringia in the southeast and flows through the northeast of the district before leaving it northwest of Witzenhausen to merge with the Fulda at Hannoversch Münden and eventually form the Weser. The second part of the name derives from the Hoher Meissner, which is part of the Hessisches Bergland and has the highest elevation in northeast Hesse with an altitude of 753.6 metres.

The Wetterau, a lively region between the foothills of the Vogelsberg and the slopes of the Taunus, offers not only appealing landscapes, but also attractive features for employers and employees. A dense network of schools and other education institutions is complemented by universal services for its population in the fields of social welfare and health care.
As an attractive place to live and work in the immediate vicinity of the Frankfurt/Rhine Main metropolitan region, Wetterau can no longer only be described as a rural area. A wide range of skilled employment has developed here that will continue to make the Wetterau district a pleasant and livable place in the future.