LUDENSCHEID

city, North RhineWestphalia Land (state), west-central Germany, in the hilly, wooded Sauerland region between the Lenne and Volme rivers. A Frankish settlement in the 9th century and chartered in 1278, it became a centre of the iron industry during the Middle Ages and was a member of the Hanseatic League. It passed with Cleves-Mark to Brandenburg in 1609 and to Prussia in 1815. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1723. The parish church of the Saviour, with a tower dating from 1072, is in the centre of the old town, and the moated castle of Neuenhof is a historic landmark. An industrial and metalworking centre, Ldenscheid manufactures aluminum, metal products, plastics, and synthetics. Pop. (1991 est.) 79,401.