Esterwegen

Esterwegen is a municipality in the Emsland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Geography
Esterwegen lies in northwest Germany, less than 30 km from the Dutch border and about 40 km from the sea.

Demographics
In 2015 the population was 5,280.

Government
The mayor is Hermann Willenborg.

Concentration camp
In 1933 a concentration camp was established in Esterwegen. In 1936 the camp was dissolved and used till 1945 as a prisoner camp, for political prisoners and later for prisoners of the decree Nacht und Nebel.

Notable inmates

 * Julius Leber, politician
 * Carl von Ossietzky, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
 * Georg Diederichs, later Minister-President of Lower Saxony
 * Karl Germer, Outer Head of the Order (OHO) of Ordo Templi Orientis