Visitors might well expect that the name „OBERBERGISCHER KREIS“ (Oberberg district) derives from the shape of its landscape, i.e. a district covered with high hills. In deed, they will find a low mountain range area with elevations from 150 to 500 metres and numerous deep valleys flown through by brooks to give this region the denomination “land of a thousand brooks” and “land of a thousand valleys”.

In fact, Oberberg is a historic name reminding us that, up to the beginning of the 19th century, this area was a part of the Dutchy of Berg ruled by the Counts of Berg. When the districts of Gummersbach and Waldbröl were united in the year 1932, the people concerned looked back on this historical epoch and called the new geographical construct the ”OBERBERG DISTRICT“.

As a consequence of the reformation of districts in the year 1975, the Oberberg district comprises thirteen towns and municipalities today: Bergneustadt, Engelskirchen, Gummersbach, Hückeswagen, Lindlar, Marienheide, Morsbach, Nümbrecht, Radevormwald, Reichshof, Wiehl, Waldbröl, Wipperfürth. In the geographical centre of the district, an interweavement of municipalities has been developing ever since with the district principle town Gummersbach located right in the middle. Gummersbach is not only the seat of the district’s administration but also the centre of industry and commerce, sports and cultural activities.