East Friesland according to the historical and cultural demarcation, with the most important cities. Although East Friesland is widely known and accepted as a cultural region, it no longer forms an administrative unit. Partly because of this, there is no clear demarcation of the area. East Friesland usually refers to the area that falls under the working area of the Ostfriesische Landschaft, the successor to the feudal class assembly, and today, a semi-political organisation that is involved in areas such as cultural policy, social affairs, research and education. This area consists of the current Landkreisen Aurich, Leer and Wittmund and the kreisfreie Stadt Emden. Aurich is the historic capital of East Friesland and still the seat of the Ostfriesische Landschaft. Discussions are currently underway about a possible merger into a single Landkreis Ostfriesland. In addition to these four Landkreisen, the East Frisian peninsula (Ostfriesische Halbinsel) also consists of the Landkreis Friesland and the kreisfreie Stadt Wilhelmshaven. These traditionally belong to the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg and form the Oldenburg Friesland. The residents therefore do not identify themselves as East Frisians.

Geography

East Friesland has an area of 3142 km² and more than 465,000 inhabitants (for comparison: the Dutch province of Friesland measures 3349 km² and has 645,000 inhabitants). With 148 inhabitants per km², the area is relatively sparsely populated.

Landscape

The region is characterised by a landscape that is unusual to Germans, but is quite recognisable for the Dutch and Flemish: flat with many meadows. The following landscape types are distinguished:

• Dune landscape on the Wadden Islands
• Wadden Sea with a tidal landscape
• Polder landscape in the coastal areas and along the rivers
• Bocage landscape with hedgerows further 'inland’
• Peat-colonial landscape with ribbon development along the Wieken (neighbourhoods, peat canals)
• Uncultivated low and upland moors

There are forest areas to be found inland. Plans are being developed create forests in agricultural areas and thus increase the forest area.

The “Freepsumer Sea” is a reclaimed sea inland and the watermill in the coat of arms of the city of Freepsum also indicates: without pumps, the “Freepsumer Sea” would be filled with water again in no time. Today the “Freepsumer Sea” is an easily accessible idyll in Krummhörn and offers many animals a protected habitat. From the safe track you can discover a number of them. Take your time and enjoy nature. Soon you will feel the peace that you can only get from the contemplation of the landscape. We wish you a lot of fun and relaxation on the trail and via the “Freepsumer Sea” at – so they say – the lowest point in Germany.

The Greetsieler twin windmills are the symbol of Greetsiel, a district in Krummhörn in East Friesland. There are two Dutch windmills. They are about 130 metres away from the entrance [1] east of the old Greetsieler Sieltief. The green, western mill dates from 1856, while the red, eastern mill (Schoof's Mill) was built in 1706 and can be visited. It was restored with octagonal parts and the cap of the year 1750 Auricher Wallmühle 1921.

The Red Mill Also, on the site of the current red mill, another mill once stood. The Erdholländer was built here 1706. In 1736, the mill was destroyed by fire and rebuilt as a single-storey gallery Dutch mill. This building was destroyed by a fire in 1920. The following year it was built with the 200-year-old timber frame demolished by Auricher Wallmühle as a two-storey gallery Dutch mill. In 1950, the mill became the property of the Schoof family, which is still active today and is thus using flour and meal with wind and motor power for its trade. On the ground floor of the mill is a mill shop, which sells local products. The mill can be visited almost daily. In the former hayloft, called the pack house, the family runs a cafe.

In 1613 there was a windmill on the current site of the green mill. It was so badly damaged in a storm in February 1662 that it was demolished and replaced by a new building. The Grimersumer landowner left this mill in 1856 to

What is energy, how it is created and what we do without it? We get to the bottom of these and other questions in the first area. Which forms of energy and energy sources? What are the sources of energy and how much energy do we use during the day? The central exhibition is a multimedia ball track. Use your own energy and bring the ball to the starting point with the hand crank. It then rolls down the track, reaching several displays used for different forms of energy on the way down. Information screens illustrate the energies and related matters with videos and photos. A theme, called Risk Black Out, where a typical western daily routine is shown and the importance of energy in our daily life is explained. A cinematic blackout in particular makes society's dependence on energy today quite tangible.

Seehundstation National Park House

Seehundstation National Park House

A fascinating experience for every season When you visit the North Sea coast, you will experience a unique natural landscape with impressive flora and fauna. The Wadden Sea, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, becomes a filling station for millions of migratory birds, home to many nesting birds and winter home to numerous bird species. It is also the habitat of seals and grey seals that bring their young here. Young seals, which are separated by the dam, and often driven far through the Union Square, have temporarily found a new home in Noord-dijk. In the Seehundstation National Park House, a team of professionals and volunteers takes in orphaned seals, so-called “Howlers” until they are returned to the North Sea and can survive there. Exhibitions, events and the marine mammals themselves bring the responsible task to the area of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea, which enjoys special protection as a national park and biosphere reserve and equally serves as a recreation area for vacationers.

Baltrum

Baltrum

After a short crossing from Neßmersiel, along the eastern side of Norderney, rest site of many seals, you can reach the smallest of the East Frisian islands, Baltrum – the “Sleeping Beauty of the North Sea” – quite far away and yet so close!

Norderney

Norderney

The relaxing landscape of Brodenbach is a state-approved climatic health resort. The two side valleys carry clean healthy air. The village with its beautiful half-timbered houses often serves as a gateway to Norderney and Juist. From the northern embankment, in summer, there are hourly ferries to Norderney – the most urban of the islands, which has largely retained its nostalgic atmosphere. From here, you can also travel to the car-free island of Juist, also called “Töwerland” (magical land), with its attractive, unadulterated nature experience.

Aurich

Aurich

The history of Aurich dates back to the 13th century. Some tracks from the past are still visible. After Aurich was temporarily the seat of government, the city today is still a provincial city of the Aurich district. The situation in East Friesland and the related economic development of the city provided a centre for the entire East Frisian region. The portrait of the city gives you a lot of information about the city of Aurich.

Schloss Lütetsburg

Schloss Lütetsburg

Amid the treeless landscape of East Frisia, the Lütetsburg Castle opens its doors – and every visitor leaves it a lot richer: Invigorated by the calm, relaxed while strolling through beautiful avenues, fascinated by the floral display of beautiful old rhododendrons and azaleas and inspired by the search for hidden historical treasures that give a little insight into the East Frisian family history of the castle’s owners. The park at Lütetsburg, the life's work of Reichsfreiherr Edzard Mauritz and Knyphausen, was built in the early Romantic style and is one of the few surviving examples of this type on the European continent. Just 8 km south of the Wadden Sea coast, it opens to visitors in an area of approximately 30 hectares – making it East Frisia's largest English landscape garden.