Buchholz in der Nordheide (Northern Low Saxon: Bookholt) is the largest town in the district of Harburg, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approximately 25 km southwest of Hamburg. Geography Buchholz is home to the Brunsberg, at 129m the highest mountain in the region. It is on the northern edge of the Lüneburg Heath (Lüneburger Heide), hence the suffix to the name. History In 1958, Buchholz received its city charter. In 1992, Buchholz was struck by a small tornado which destroyed many trees and damaged numerous houses. In 2002, the temperature in Buchholz rose above 38 degrees celsius, marking an all-time high for its region. In 2006, Buchholz tried to set a new world record by placing a crowd of 2000 people in the form of a large heart near the local swimming pool. The attempt ultimately failed because 39 people did not show up. Division of the town The districts of Steinbeck, Dibbersen, Seppensen, Holm-Seppensen, Sprötze and Trelde belong to Buchholz. Districts sort by population: Buchholz (nucleated town) District Reindorf District Vaensen District Buensen Holm-Seppensen District Seppensen District Holm-Seppensen District Holm Steinbeck District Steinbeck District Meilsen Sprötze Trelde District Trelde District Suerhop Dibbersen District Dibbersen District Dangersen Number of inhabitants 1821 – 178 1871 – 350 1905 – 1,220 1925 – 2,138 1939 – 3,110 1945 – ca. 5,000 1946 – 6,003 1958 – 7,523 1963 – 10,364 1968 – 13,590 1972 – 15,273 After incorporations: 1972 – 22,620 1975 – 26,393 1998 – 35,264 1999 – 35,603 2000 – 35,916 2002 – 36,483 2004 – 38,556 2006 - 38,167 2010 - 40,234 2012 - 40,790 Twin towns – sister cities Buchholz in der Nordheide is twinned with: Canteleu, France Järvenpää, Finland Wołów, Poland Notable people Matthias Wolfes (born 1961), protestant theologian and church historian Bettina Walter (born 1971), documentary film producer Alexander Meier (born 1983), footballer Nikias Arndt (born 1991), cyclist Anton Stach (born 1998), footballer Living in Buchholz Dieter Kottysch (born 1943), boxer, Olympic winner 1972 Christel Wegner (born 1947), politician (DKP, Die Linke), deputy for the Landtag Wilhelm Leber (born 1947), mathematician, until 2013 Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church References External links Towns in Lower Saxony Harburg (district)