Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis
The is a Kreis in the Cologne Bonn Region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Kreis Mettman, Oberbergischer Kreis and Rhein-Sieg, and the district-free cities Cologne, Leverkusen, Solingen and Remscheid.
History
The area of the Bergisches Land belonged to the earldom of Berg for most of medieval times, which gives the district its name.In 1816, after the whole Rhineland area was given to Prussia, the districts of Wipperfürth, Mülheim, Lennep, Opladen and Solingen were created in the area now covered by the district. In 1819, Opladen and Solingen were merged into the new Solingen district. In 1929, a new Rhein-Wupper district was created, and several municipalities were incorporated into the cities of Wuppertal, Remscheid and Solingen. In 1932, the districts Mülheim and Wipperfürth were merged to form the old Rheinisch-Bergische Kreis. Finally, in 1975, most of the area of the districts if Rhein-Wupper and Rheinisch-Bergisch was merged to form the current district.