Aalen Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Aalen is a town in Germany, capital of the Ostalbkreis, in the Baden-Württemberg Bundesland. Population as of July 1, 2004: 66,616. Area: 146.48 km².
Aalen is twinned with Saint-Lô, France, Christchurch, England, Tatabánya, Hungary and Antakya, Turkey.
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2 History 3 Economy and transport 4 Boroughs of Aalen 5 Miscellaneous facts 6 External links |
Aalen is situated on the river Kocher, at the foot of the Swabian Alb to the south and south east and close to the hilly landscape of the Ellwanger Berge to the north. Aalen is at about 70 kilometres east of Stuttgart and 50 kilometres north of Ulm.
From about 150/160 AD a Roman fort housed the equestrian unit Ala II Flavia militaria at the site of present-day Aalen. The location was strategically important at the time, in the direct vicinity of the Rhaetian Limes. It has been suggested that the name of Aalen traces back to the Roman fort, but this was disproved by later research. Today's town of Aalen did not emerge until more than a millennium later.
Aalen was probably founded in the 13th century, though it is not certain whether by the Staufians or by the counts of Oettingen. It was first mentioned in written records in the 14th century when it was subject to the counts of Oettingen. Aalen was an Imperial City (often misreferred to as Imperial Free City) from 1360 to 1802, when it was annexed to Württemberg. It then became the seat of an Oberamt from which the district (Kreis) Aalen emerged in 1938. The latter merged with the district of Schwäbisch Gmünd to the newly formed Ostalbkreis in 1973, though Aalen remained the district seat.
The economy of Aalen is dominated by metal processing. Besides machine construction, the optical sector plays an important role, as well as the textile and paper industry.
Aalen is located directly at the Autobahn A7 and is also well connected to the network of federal roads (Bundesstraße). Furthermore, it has direct railway communication with Ulm and Stuttgart.
There are several micro-breweries. The one in Wasseralfingen is most popular. Their beer is called "Wasseralfinger"
Aalen is a health resort with an old mine (offering curing for asthma illnesses) and hot springs.
Turn of the century information:
In the early 20th century the population was 10,000. Woollen and linen goods are manufactured, and there are ribbon looms and tanneries in the town, and large iron works in the neighbourhood. Geography
History
Economy and transport
Boroughs of Aalen
Miscellaneous facts