Segeberg

Segeberg (Segebärj) is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by (from the southwest and clockwise) the districts of Pinneberg, Steinburg and Rendsburg-Eckernförde, the city of Neumünster, the districts of Plön, Ostholstein and Stormarn, and the city state of Hamburg.

History
The history of the district is connected to the history of Holstein. In 1134, the castle of Segeberg was erected as a regional centre from where the reeve of Segeberg ruled. When Schleswig-Holstein became a Prussian province in 1865, the Prussian administration established the district of Segeberg.

Since then, the district has grown considerably twice: In 1932 parts of the dissolved district of Bordesholm joined the district; in 1970 the city of Norderstedt became part of the district.

Geography
The district of Segeberg consists of the agricultural plains between the cities of Neumünster and Hamburg. A southwestern portion of the hilly lakeland called "Holsteinische Schweiz" (Holsatian Switzerland) belongs to the district, as well as some northern suburbs of Hamburg.

Coat of arms
The coat of arms displays:
 * four steeples forming a cross, commemorating the missionary activities of bishop Vizelin of Segeberg who Christianised Holstein in the early Middle Ages
 * the heraldic nettle leaf of Holstein in the middle of the cross
 * four green water lily leaves from the arms of Segeberg's reeves