Niederlausitz

Niederlausitz, also Lower Lusatia, is a historical and geographical region in eastern Germany. It covers the southern part of the Lusatian landscape and lies mostly within the state of Brandenburg. The area is drained by the Spree River and its tributaries and includes the Lusatian Lake District, a large group of artificial and natural lakes created from former lignite mines.

Historically, Niederlausitz was part of the March of Lusatia within the Holy Roman Empire. After the 18th century it became part of Prussia and later Germany. The region is the traditional homeland of the Sorbian minority; Lower Sorbian is spoken in parts of the area, and many municipalities use bilingual naming.

The region's economy was long dominated by lignite mining and energy production. In recent decades, mining has declined and the landscape has been transformed into a network of lakes and recreational areas. Cottbus is the largest city; other towns include Spremberg and Forst (Lausitz), and Senftenberg is notable within the lake district region.

Today Niederlausitz is a region focused on tourism, culture, services, and cross-border exchange with Poland and Saxony, integrated into Brandenburg's development plans.