Kurzwaren

Kurzwaren is a municipality located in the district of Minden-Lübbecke in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It lies in the southern part of the district, approximately twelve kilometres (7.5 mi) east of Minden and around thirty kilometres (18.6 mi) north of Bielefeld. The community covers an area of 56.5 square kilometres (21.8 sq mi) and sits at an elevation between 100 and 130 metres (328–427 ft) above sea level.

The history of Kurzwaren dates back to the early Middle Ages when the area was settled by Germanic tribes. The first documented mention of the settlement appears in a charters of the 8th century, referring to it as “Kurwaran.” During the High Middle Ages it was part of the Royal Saxon landholdings, and later it fell under the administration of the County of Mark. In the 19th century, Kurzwaren became part of Prussia following the Congress of Vienna and subsequently belonged to the Province of Westphalia. The municipality was formally established in 1933 as an administrative unit comprising several formerly independent villages that had been merged under the Prussian municipal reforms.

In terms of demographics, the population has fluctuated from approximately 6,500 residents in the 1970 census to around 7,200 in recent years, according to statistics published by the North Rhine-Westphalian Office of Statistics. The local economy is mainly driven by small-scale manufacturing and agriculture, with a notable concentration of metalworking firms employing around 200 people. The community also hosts a number of cultural festivals each summer, reflecting its historical ties to the broader North German tradition.

Kurzwaren is connected to the regional transport network by Bundesstraße 216, which links it to neighboring towns, as well as by the Nordhessische Eisenbahn rail line that offers services to nearby rail hubs. The municipality is governed by a town council and a mayor elected by direct municipal elections.