Oberrand

Oberrand is a municipality in the Nordmark region, in the district of Hochwald. It is situated in the Oberwald foothills along the Oberbach River, about 50 km north of the regional capital. The area is characterized by rolling hills, mixed forests, and small agricultural valleys. As of 2023, the municipality has about 7,200 inhabitants.

The first documented mention of Oberrand dates to 1126, in a charter of the Counts of Eirwald. It developed as a market town in the late Middle Ages, receiving town privileges around 1300. The economy benefited from timber and agriculture, later diversifying in the 19th and 20th centuries with small-scale manufacturing. After World War II, Oberrand experienced steady growth and municipal reforms unified nearby villages under a single administration in 1972. The town today preserves historical architecture and rural traditions.

The economy is centered on services, light industry, and tourism. Local employers include a crafts cooperative, a logistics firm, and several farming enterprises. The town is connected by regional road network and by a regional railway line with a station in Oberrand that links to the regional capital 40 km away. Bus services provide regional connections. The nearest international airport is in Nordhaven, about 90 km to the west.

German is the predominant language, with small communities of migrants. The town hosts the annual Oberrand Festival in late summer, featuring music, crafts, and a harvest parade. Cultural sites include the 15th-century town hall and the ruins of Oberrand Abbey, surrounded by a nature reserve.

Notable people include the writer Mara Kessler (born 1968) and the climber Jonas Haller (born 1982).