SpreeNeiße

Spree-Neiße is a rural district (Kreis) in the southern part of the German state of Brandenburg. It is named after the Spree and Lausitzer Neiße rivers, which traverse the region and shape its geography and history. The district borders Poland to the east and is part of the Lusatian area of Lower Lusatia.

Spree-Neiße was established in 1993 during Brandenburg’s district reform, by merging parts of the former districts Spremberg, Guben, and Cottbus-Land. The administrative seat sits in Forst (Lausitz). The district encompasses a number of towns and municipalities, including Spremberg, Guben, and Forst, and it sits in a border region with substantial cross-border interaction.

Geography and economy: The landscape consists of rolling Lusatian terrain with forests, rivers, and agricultural land. The region has a legacy of lignite mining and energy production, and the Jänschwalde Power Plant lies within the district. Beyond energy, the economy includes small- and medium-sized manufacturing, trade, and services, with cross-border activities influencing employment and mobility.

Infrastructure: The district is connected by road and rail to Berlin, Dresden, and other parts of Brandenburg and Poland. It lies along major transport corridors that facilitate cross-border traffic and regional commerce, supporting commuting and tourism.

Demographics and culture: The Spree-Neiße area has a long historical presence of Lusatian culture and, in parts of the region, a Lusatian Sorbian heritage. This multilingual and multicultural background is reflected in local traditions, bilingual place names in some areas, and a range of cultural events, historic centers, and natural landscapes that attract visitors.