Esterwegen
# Esterwegen

Esterwegen is a municipality in the Emsland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany.

## Geography

Esterwegen lies in northwest Germany, less than 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the Dutch border and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the sea.

## Demographics

In 2015 the population was 5,280.

## Government

The mayor is Hermann Willenborg.

## Concentration camp

In 1933 a concentration camp was established in Esterwegen. In 1936 the camp was dissolved and used till 1945 as a prisoner camp, for political prisoners and later for prisoners of the decree Nacht und Nebel.

### Notable inmates

* Julius Leber, politician
* Carl von Ossietzky, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
* Georg Diederichs, later Minister-President of Lower Saxony
* Karl Germer, Outer Head of the Order (OHO) of Ordo Templi Orientis
