- Minden
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/min"deuhn/, n.a city in NW Louisiana. 15,074.
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▪ Germanycity, North Rhine–Westphalia Land (state), northwestern Germany. It lies along the Weser River, near a defile known as the Westfalica Gate where the river leaves the mountains and enters the North German Plain, west of Hannover.The emperor Charlemagne organized a military bishopric there in 800. The town struggled for independence from the bishopric, joined the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, and thrived as a trading centre. The bishopric was secularized in 1648, when it passed with the town to Brandenburg. Minden was fortified by Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia in the mid-18th century. Although it was held briefly by the French in the Seven Years' War, it reverted to Prussia after the victory of the British and Hanoverians at the Battle of Minden in 1759. It passed to Westphalia in 1807 but became Prussian again in 1814.An important road and rail traffic centre, Minden is at a junction of waterways, where the Mittelland Canal aqueduct bridges the Weser. Chemicals, ceramics, electrical goods, paper production, metalworking, and woodworking are important to the city's economy. Other significant economic activities are based on farming and cattle breeding in the surrounding area. Minden's economy also relies on federal and state administrative functions.The 11th–13th-century Gothic single-nave cathedral and the early Gothic town hall were severely damaged in World War II (as were other buildings in the historic city centre); both have been rebuilt. The medieval churches of St. Martin and St. Mary and a number of “Weser Renaissance” houses survived. Minden features a municipal museum, with exhibits on local history, crafts, and customs, and an amusement park. Pop. (2003 est.) 82,947.city, seat (1876) of Kearney county, south-central Nebraska, U.S., about 15 miles (25 km) southeast of the city of Kearney. Founded in 1876 and named for Minden, Ger., it was settled by German, Swedish, and Danish immigrants and became a service point for a farming area. Agriculture remains the economic base; corn (maize), wheat, sorghum, soybeans, and cattle are produced. Tourism and manufacturing (prefabricated houses and aircraft parts) are also important. Minden is mainly known for Pioneer Village (founded 1953), one of the state's top tourist attractions. Buildings representing American pioneer life are chronologically arranged and include a sod house, a pioneer school, a general store, and an original Pony Express station. It also has a large collection of antique vehicles and machinery and a steam-powered antique carousel. Inc. 1888. Pop. (2000) 2,964; (2005 est.) 2,913.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
