Spandau

For the 1980's new wave group, see Spandau Ballet.

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Spandau is the westernmost borough (Bezirk) of Berlin, situated at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers and along the western bank of the Havel.

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It encompasses an area of 91.91 km? and has (as of 2003) about 226.100 inhabitants. Its current mayor is Konrad Birkholz (CDU).

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The history of Spandau begins in the 7th or 8th century, when the Slav Heveller first settled in the area and later built a fortress there. It is conquered in 928 by the German King Henry I, but returns to Slavic rule later in the 10th century.

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In 1156, the Ascanian Earl Albrecht von Ballenstedt ("Albrecht the Bear") takes possession of the region. 1197 marks the first mention of Spandau in a document - then called Spandowe. It is given City rights in 1232.

New wave: The term "New Wave" has been used to describe several movements in art. These include:...

Spandau Ballet: Spandau Ballet was a popular British band in the 1980s. Initially inspired by a mixture of funk and synthpop, the New Romantic group, eventually mellowed into a mainstream AOR pop act. As with their rivals Duran Duran they 'broke America', albeit briefly....

Borough: A borough is a local government administrative subdivision used in the Canadian province of Quebec, in some states of the United States, and formerly in New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, boroughs are also to be found in England and Northern Ireland....