Münster (region)

Münster is one of the five Regierungsbezirks of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the north of the state, and named after the capital city of Münster. It includes the area which in medieval times was known as the Dreingau.Regierungsbezirk Münster mostly covers rural lands of the Münsterland which is famous for its castles, e.g. Castle Nordkirchen and Castle Ahaus. The region offers more the 100 castles, all linked up by the bike path 100 Schlösser Route.The three southern municipalities are part of the Ruhrgebiet, densely populated and still offer a wide range of industry. Besides that this area is mostly as green as the rest of the Münsterland and historically a part of the landscape.The history of the Regierungsbezirk dates back to 1815, when it was one of the original 25 Regierungsbezirke created as a subdivision of the provinces of Prussia. The last reorganization of the districts was done in 1975, when the number of districts was reduced from 10 to 5, and the number of district-free cities from six to three.ClimateThe climate is mainly maritime, influenced by the recently deteriorating gulf stream.Temperatures above 30 °C during the summer were rare until the 80s of the 20th century. Recently some summer months got more hot and dry or cool and wet with an increased abundance of extreme weather.In winter time temperatures deep frost below -10°C occurs especially in times of Berlin Phenomenon and is rare in years without. Long time average temperatures about 1°C in January and February mean, that frost is quite common.