# Übach-Palenberg

> town in Germany

**Wikidata**: [Q204966](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q204966)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Übach-Palenberg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ubach-palenberg

## Summary
Übach-Palenberg is a medium-sized district town and urban municipality located in the Heinsberg district of Germany. Situated in the Wurmtal region along the Wurm river, the town covers an area of approximately 26.09 square kilometers. As of December 31, 2023, the municipality has a population of 24,354 and is governed by Mayor Oliver Walther.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Medium-sized district town, urban municipality, and city.
- **Location**: Situated in Heinsberg, Germany, within the physical regions of Wurmtal and Geilenkirchener Lehmplatte.
- **Area**: 26.09 square kilometers (as of December 31, 2017).
- **Population**: 24,354 (as of December 31, 2023; 12,118 male, 12,236 female).
- **Elevation**: 110 meters above sea level.
- **Coordinates**: 50.9197° N, 6.1194° E.
- **Governance**: Head of government is Oliver Walther.
- **Postal Code**: 52531.
- **License Plates**: HS, ERK, GK.
- **Twin Town**: Rosny-sous-Bois.
- **UN/LOCODE**: DEBPA.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical setting of Übach-Palenberg?**
The town is located in the federal state of Germany within the district of Heinsberg. It lies in the Wurmtal region and on the Geilenkirchener Lehmplatte, situated next to the Wurm river at an elevation of 110 meters.

**What are the demographic trends and current population?**
Übach-Palenberg has seen a steady population increase in recent years, growing from 22,403 in 1975 to 24,354 by the end of 2023. The most recent census data indicates a near-even gender split, with a slight female majority (12,236 females vs. 12,118 males).

**How is the town administered and identified?**
The town is a member of the Städte- und Gemeindebund Nordrhein-Westfalen. It is identified by the German municipality key 05370028 and the regional key 053700028028. For international trade, it uses the UN/LOCODE "DEBPA".

**What digital and cultural resources are available?**
The town maintains an official website (uebach-palenberg.de) and has a significant digital footprint with Wikipedia articles in approximately 40 languages. It is also represented in various international authority databases including the Library of Congress and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

## Why It Matters
Übach-Palenberg serves as a significant local administrative and urban center within the Heinsberg district. Its status as a "medium-sized district town" (Mittlere kreisangehörige Stadt) indicates a specific level of administrative autonomy and infrastructure responsibility within the German municipal system. The town's inclusion in international standard databases (such as UN/LOCODE for trade and multiple library authority files) highlights its recognized standing in global geographic and cultural indexing. Furthermore, its twinning with Rosny-sous-Bois reflects its active engagement in international cultural exchange.

## Notable For
- **Naming Origin**: The town is explicitly named after the localities Übach and Palenberg.
- **Widespread Digital Coverage**: The entity has Wikipedia sitelinks in 40 different languages, including Arabic, Esperanto, and Persian, indicating a high degree of global digital visibility.
- **International Twinning**: It maintains a formal partnership with Rosny-sous-Bois.
- **Geographical Context**: It is distinct for being located on the "Geilenkirchener Lehmplatte," a specific loess plateau region.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Übach-Palenberg is an urban municipality situated in the Heinsberg district of Germany. The town covers a total area of 26.09 square kilometers. Geographically, it is positioned at 50.9197° latitude and 6.1194° longitude, with an elevation of 110 meters above sea level. The town is located within the physical landscape of the Wurmtal (Wurm Valley) and the Geilenkirchener Lehmplatte. It is directly adjacent to the Wurm river.

### Demographics
The population of Übach-Palenberg has fluctuated and grown over the last half-century. Statistical records show a population of 22,403 on December 31, 1975. By 2017, this number had risen to 24,083.
Recent statistical updates provide a detailed breakdown:
- **2019**: 24,081 (Sep 30).
- **2021**: 23,979 (11,941 male, 12,038 female).
- **2022**: 24,215 (12,049 male, 12,166 female).
- **2023**: 24,354 (12,118 male, 12,236 female).

### Governance and Administration
The town is classified as a city and a medium-sized district town. The current head of government is Oliver Walther. Administratively, the town operates under the German regional key `053700028028` and the municipality key `05370028`. It holds membership in the Städte- und Gemeindebund Nordrhein-Westfalen (Association of Towns and Municipalities of North Rhine-Westphalia).

### Infrastructure and Codes
The town utilizes the postal code 52531 and the local dialing code 02451. Vehicle registration codes associated with the town include HS (Heinsberg), ERK (Erkelenz), and GK (Geilenkirchen). The official timezone is UTC+01:00, switching to UTC+02:00 for daylight saving time.

### Cultural and International Identifiers
Übach-Palenberg maintains a variety of unique identifiers across global systems:
- **UN/LOCODE**: DEBPA.
- **GND ID**: 4061360-4.
- **VIAF ID**: 136164311.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n89146394.
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 16714311v.
- **GeoNames ID**: 2820622.
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 6e464ce2-8595-42cd-a81e-64b23fc04282.

The town is also referenced in niche databases such as the Klimadashboard.de region ID and the World Historical Gazetteer. The official hashtag for the entity is #ÜbachPalenberg.

### Visual Representation and Media
Visual symbols for the town include a coat of arms (`DEU_Uebach-Palenberg_COA.svg`) and a flag (`Flagge_Uebach-Palenberg.svg`). A locator map (`Übach-Palenberg_in_HS.svg`) is available to identify its position within the region. The main category for media on Wikimedia Commons is "Übach-Palenberg," with a sub-category specifically for maps and plans. The town is associated with the "Template:German municipality Übach-Palenberg" on Wikipedia.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. GeoNames
4. [Source](https://www.kommunen.nrw/der-verband/mitglieder-des-stgb-nrw.html)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Alle politisch selbständigen Gemeinden mit ausgewählten Merkmalen am 31.12.2018 (4. Quartal). Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/GVAuszugQ/AuszugGV4QAktuell.html)
7. DESTATIS 1975
8. [Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.statistikportal.de/de/produkte/gemeindeverzeichnis)
9. register of German municipalities (4th quarter 2022)
10. register of German municipalities (2022)
11. register of German municipalities (2023)
12. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/de.htm)
13. Quora
14. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)