Minden

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For other uses, see Minden (disambiguation).

Minden
Image:Wappen-minden.jpg	Image:Lage der Stadt Minden in Deutschland.png

Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Administrative region	Detmold
District	Minden-Lübbecke
Population	82,959 (2005)
Area	101.08 km²
Population density	821 /km²
Elevation	42 m
Coordinates	52°17′ N 8°55′ E
Postal code	32300-32499
Area code	0571
Licence plate code	MI
Mayor	Michael Buhre (SPD)
Website	minden.de

Minden is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Weser river below the Porta Westfalica, it is the capital of the district of Minden-Lübbecke. Population: 82,900.

Minden was first mentioned in 798, when Charlemagne held a convention at the place. In the following centuries Minden became a cultural centre of the region. The marriage of Henry the Lion took place in the cathedral of Minden (1168). Minden was a member of the Hanseatic League and an independent bishopric principality. After the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 the state was annexed by Brandenburg.

During the Seven Years' War, the Battle of Minden was fought nearby.