Note: The city of Lippstadt is situated on the Lippe river on the slopes of the Teutoburg Forest in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany. It was probably founded by the lords of Lippe in the 12th century. A member of the Hanseatic League from 1260; the town was split between the ruling house of Lippe and the county of Mark, which went to Brandenburg in 1614. Divided in ownership between Prussia and Lippe, Lippe sold its share to Prussia in 1850. The modern city is industrial, with iron founding, textile production, and metalworking it main economic activities. Historic structures include several 13th-century churches and old half-timbered residences, a Rococo hall in a local hotel, and a town hall dating from 1773. There are also four moated castles in the vicinity. The 2004 estimated population was 67,500.