SONDERJYLLANDS

amtskommune (county), southern Jutland, Denmark, created in 1970 from the former counties of Tnder, benr-Snderborg, and Haderslev, with an area of 1,517 sq mi (3,929 sq km). Bounded by the North Sea, the Little Belt, and Germany, the county comprises the historical region of North Slesvig, which passed to Germany in 1864 and was returned to Denmark after a plebiscite in 1920. While the western portion is sometimes marshy, the eastern section has fertile clay loams, and agriculture, livestock raising, and dairying are carried on throughout the county. The administrative centre is at benr (q.v.). Christiansfeld in the north was laid out in 1773 by the Moravians, whose famous honey-cake bakery, museum, and cemetery remain. Pop. (1982 est.) 250,409.