Overath

Overath (; ) is a town in the Rheinisch-Bergischer district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Geography.
Overath is located about 25 km east of Cologne, in the Bergisches Land. Despite the reclassification as a 'Stadt' (town, though the German understanding leans towards city) years ago due to surpassing the relevant population threshold, the former appellation Gemeinde (parish) seems more appropriate (particularly to the inhabitants) due to the spread-out villages it consists of.
The main settlement is in the Agger valley, with others spread on the hills surrounding it. The "kleine Heckberg" (small Heckberg, 348 m) near Federath is the highest point of Overath, and the whole "Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis".
Neighbouring cities are Rösrath in the West, Bergisch Gladbach in the North-West, Lindlar in the North-East, Engelskirchen in the East and Much, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid and Lohmar in the South.
Subdivisions.
Overath is divided into 7 parts.
History.
When first mentioned in 1060, Overath was called "Achera" (after the Agger river). Presumably because of the first settlement at a clearing (German "Rodung") the name changed to "Ouerode" (about 1280), "Ovverode" (1304), "Overadt" (1582), and finally became "Overath".
Coat of arms.
The coat of arms of Overath was only created on March 3, 1938. It consists of two areas:
Religion.
The Catholic church is devoted to Saint Walpurga ("Heilige Walburga"). Until 1803 the Benedictines had a monastery in "Cyriax", a subsidiary of Michaelsberg Abbey at Siegburg.
The Catholic church in Heiligenhaus is devoted to Saint Roch ("Heiliger Rochus").
"Marialinden"'s church ("St. Mariä Heimsuchung") is a pilgrimage destination for Saint Mary.
Population.
In 1939, the population of Overath was 6,500. In 1946, it already exceeded 10,500 and continued to grow to 15,500 in 1970. The area of the community was extended in 1975, which increased the population to over 20,000.
Since then it has risen further up to 27,106 in December 2005.
Infrastructure.
Traffic.
Roads.
The B 55 und B 484 federal roads (German "Bundesstraßen") as well as the A 4 Autobahn pass through area of the town. The A 4 has got two exits to Overath, Overath-Untereschbach and Overath.
Air transport.
The Cologne Bonn Airport is reachable within 25 minutes.
Public Transport.
The railway station in Overath connects the Town with Cologne and Marienheide. The train heading for Cologne departs every 30 minutes, the train heading for Marienheide departs every 60 minutes. Cologne is reachable by train in within 35 minutes.
These traffic connections, together with rural surroundings, make Overath a popular place to live for commuters.
Medicine.
There is no hospital in Overath. The hospitals in Bergisch Gladbach and Engelskirchen do the medication.
Government.
City council.
The city council consists of 38 members. The current breakdown, from the general elections held September 26, 2004, is as follows:
Mayor.
Jörg Weigt (SPD) was elected mayor (German "Bürgermeister"). His first representative is Guido Lazotta (CDU), his second representative is Rolf Trefz (SPD).
Twin towns – sister cities.
Overath is twinned with: