FURSTENWALDE

city, Brandenburg Land (state), eastern Germany, on the Spree River near its junction with the Oder-Spree Canal, east of Berlin. Founded between 1252 and 1258 by the margraves of Brandenburg and chartered in 1285, it was the seat of the bishops of Lebus from 1385 to 1571. The cathedral, begun in 1446, was destroyed in 1945. Frstenwalde's largest enterprise is the nationally owned tire plant; chemicals, metal products, textiles, vehicles, and shoes are also manufactured. Schools for chemical engineering and rubber technology are located there. Pop. (1989 est.) 35,973.