OLDENBURG, a state of Germany, with an area of
sq.m. It consists of three widely separated provinces—(1) Old enburg, (2) Lubeck, and (3) Birkenfeld. It has one vote in the German Reichsrat.
proper is bounded on the north by the North sea and on the other three sides by Hanover, with the exception of a small strip on the east, where it is conterminous with the ter ritory of the free city of Bremen. It forms part of the north western German plain lying between the Weser and the Ems. The climate is temperate and humid; the mean temperature of the coldest month at the town of Oldenburg is 26° F, of the warmest 66°. Storms are numerous and fogs and ague are prevalent in the marsh lands. The chief rivers are the Hunte, flowing into the Weser, and the Hase and Leda flowing into the Ems. The Weser • itself forms the eastern boundary for 42 m., and internal navi gation is facilitated by a canal connecting the Hunte and the Leda. On the north there are several small coast streams con ducted through the dikes by sluices. Large tracts of moorland, however, are useful only as producing peat for fuel, or as afford ing pasture to the flocks of small coarse-woolled Oldenburg sheep. The rich soil of the marsh lands produces good crops of wheat, oats, rye, hemp and rape, but is especially adapted for grazing.
The mineral wealth of Oldenburg is very small. Woollen and cotton fabrics, stockings, jute and cigars are made at Varel, Del menhorst and Lohne ; cork-cutting is extensively practised in some districts, and there are a few iron-foundries. Trade is relatively of more importance, chiefly owing to the proximity of Bremen.
The former principality of Lubeck has an area of 209 sq.m. and shares in the general physical characteristics of east Holstein, within which it lies. On the east it extends to Lu beck bay of the Baltic sea, and on the south-east it is bounded by the Trave. It is dotted with small lakes. Agriculture is prac tised here even more extensively than in Oldenburg proper, about 75% of the area being cultivated. The population in 1925 was 47,494. The city of Lubeck (q.v.) is entirely apart.
The former principality of Birkenfeld, 312 sq.m. in extent, lies in the midst of the Prussian province of the Rhine, about 3o m. W. of the Rhine at Worms and 15o m. S. of the duchy of Oldenburg. The population in 1925 was 55,649. (See