Gießen

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For other uses, see Giessen (disambiguation).

Giessen
Image:Wappen Gießen.svg	Image:Karte Giessen in Deutschland.png

Country	Germany
State	Hesse
Administrative region	Giessen
District	Giessen
Population	72,556 (2005)
Area	72.56 km²
Population density	1,020 /km²
Elevation	155-304 m
Coordinates	50°35′ N 8°40′ E
Postal code	35331–35398
Area code	0641
Licence plate code	GI
Mayor	Heinz-Peter Haumann (CDU)
Website	giessen.de

Image:2005-08 Gießen - Theater.jpg

Image:Giessen-arch1.jpg

Giessen (German spelling "Gießen") is a city in the German federal state (Bundesland) of Hesse, capital of both the Giessen district and the Giessen Administrative Region. The population is approximately 71,000, with an additional 15,000 university students.

Giessen means "pour" as in water. The city is situated on the Lahn River, and it is surrounded by an abundance of lakes and streams.

Giessen came into being as a waterside castle in 1152, built by Count Wilhelm von Gleiberg. But the history of the community in the northeast and in today's suburb called "Wieseck" dates back to 775. In 1607, the University of Giessen was founded. In 1977 Giessen was merged with the neighboring city Wetzlar to form the new city of Lahn; however, this attempt to reorganize the administration was reversed in 1979.

Heavy bombing destroyed about 75% of Giessen in 1944, including most of the city's historic buildings. An American military base was located in Giessen after World War II. The U.S. Army Garrison Giessen, has a population of 500 Americans. The base is a converted german Army Air Field, which is reflected in some of the buildings, including the housing area. A theatre known as the Keller Theatre is a converted german army Officer's Club.

1 People
2 Additional people of interest
3 Education
4 References

[edit] People

Justus von Liebig (1803-1873), Chemist, Professor. The official name of the University of Giessen is named Justus Liebig University.
Fritz Heichelheim
Demis Nikolaidis
Samuel Adler, a noted rabbi in the United States, attended the University of Giessen<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"> (1967) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who.</ref>
Wilhelm Liebknecht, founder of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, was born on March 29, 1826 in Giessen.
Friedrich Kellner (1885-1970) was Chief Justice Inspector of Laubach, where he wrote the Friedrich Kellner Diary, and he was also Chief Regional Auditor in Giessen. Holocaust Research Unit of Justus Liebig University (University of Giessen), will publish his diary.
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was professor of physics from 1879 until 1888 at the university of Giessen. After his death in 1923 his body was buried at the "Alte Friedhof", where his tomb can still be found.