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COTTBUS
- GERMANY
Cottbus (Sorbian/Lusatian Chosebuz, Czech
Chotebuz, Polish Chociebuz) is a city in Brandenburg, Germany, situated
around 125 km southeast of Berlin on the Spree river. Population: 107,075 (June
30, 2004).
The settlement was established in the 10th century, when Sorbs erected a
castle on a sandy island in the Spree river. The first mention of the town's
name is of 1156. In the 13th century German settlers came to the place and
lived from now on together with the Sorbs. In medieval times Cottbus was
known for wool, and the drapery was exported to all of Brandenburg, Bohemia
and Saxony. At some time before 1618 Cottbus was acquired by the Electors of
Brandenburg, who later became Kings of Prussia. In 1815 the surrounding
districts of Upper and Lower Lusatia were ceded by the Kingdom of Saxony to
the Kingdom of Prussia.
Cottbus is the cultural centre of the Sorbian
minority. Many signs in the town are bilingual, but Sorbian is rarely spoken
on the streets.
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