Districts of Germany: Landkreise and Kreisfreie Städte
Overview of Germany's 402 districts, distinguishing the 295 rural Landkreise and 107 urban, district-free cities (kreisfreie Städte), their roles, structure, and historical development.
Germany (federal republic) is subdivided into a system of administrative districts that form the second tier of local government beneath the federal states (Bundesländer). In total there are 402 districts (official count): 295 rural districts known as Landkreise and 107 urban districts, commonly called kreisfreie Städte or Stadtkreise (district-free cities).
Types and functions
Rural districts group together many municipalities and carry responsibilities that are typically too large or complex for individual towns and villages. Typical duties include regional planning, maintenance of district roads, social and youth services, waste disposal, and public health tasks. Urban districts are cities that combine municipal and district-level responsibilities in one authority; they perform the same functions but for a single densely populated municipality.
Structure and governance
Each district has an elected council and an executive head. Rural districts are governed by a district council (Kreistag) and administered by a district administrator (Landrat or Landrätin). Urban districts are led by a mayor or lord mayor who performs both municipal and district duties. The exact powers, electoral systems and internal organization vary between the Bundesländer.
Historical development
The modern district system evolved from 19th-century administrative reforms and was reshaped throughout the 20th century. Post-war territorial and municipal reforms, especially in the 1960s–1970s in several states, reduced the number of small municipalities and altered district boundaries to improve administrative efficiency and service delivery.
Practical importance and variations
- Counts: 295 rural districts (Landkreise) and 107 urban districts (kreisfreie Städte).
- Variation: Districts differ widely in area and population — some rural districts cover large rural territories, while some urban districts are among the country’s most populous municipalities.
- Relation to municipalities: Municipalities (Gemeinden) belong to rural districts, while urban districts are single municipalities acting as their own district.
For readers seeking detailed lists by name, state or population, consult dedicated listings and official state pages that enumerate every Landkreis and kreisfreie Stadt or follow broader references on Germany’s administrative divisions at the linked sources above.
Questions and answers
Q: How is Germany divided administratively?
A: Germany is divided into 402 administrative districts.
Q: What are the two types of administrative districts in Germany?
A: The two types of administrative districts in Germany are rural districts (Landkreise) and urban districts (Kreisfreie Städte / Stadtkreise).
Q: How many rural districts are there in Germany?
A: There are 295 rural districts (Landkreise) in Germany.
Q: How many urban districts are there in Germany?
A: There are 107 urban districts (Kreisfreie Städte / Stadtkreise) in Germany.
Q: What is a rural district (Landkreis)?
A: A rural district (Landkreis) is an administrative district in Germany that includes a number of smaller towns and villages.
Q: What is an urban district (Kreisfreie Städte / Stadtkreise)?
A: An urban district (Kreisfreie Städte / Stadtkreise) is a city in Germany that constitutes a district in its own right.
Q: Are all cities in Germany also considered districts?
A: No, only certain cities in Germany that are designated as urban districts (Kreisfreie Städte / Stadtkreise) are considered districts in their own right.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Districts of Germany: Landkreise and Kreisfreie Städte Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/124728
Sources
- fjfhs.eu : Translation: European Commission’s Directorate-General for Translation (DGT), Annex 5