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Augustenborg ) in South Jutland County on the island of Als off the east coast of the Jutland peninsula in south Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 53 km², and has a total population of 6,577 (2005). Its mayor is Åse Nygaard.

The site of its municipal council is the town of Augustenborg.

Neighboring municipalities are Sydals to the south, Nordborg to the north, and Sønderborg to the west, albeit partly separated by the waters of Als Fjord, which define the municipality's western border. To the east is the Little Belt.

Ferry service connects the municipality at the town of Fynshav to the island of Funen at the town of Bøjden.

By January 1, 2007 Augustenborg municipality will cease to exist due to i ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007). It will be combined with existing Broager, Gråsten, Nordborg, Sundeved, Sydals, and Sønderborg municipalities to form the new Sønderborg municipality. This will create a municipality with an area of 499 km² and a total population of 49,886 (2005). The new municipality will belong to the new Region Syddanmark ("South Denmark Region").

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History

The town grew up around Augustenborg Castle which was established by Ernest Gunther, a member of the ducal house of Schleswig-Holstein (its branch of Sønderborg) and a cadet of the royal house of Denmark, in the years after 1651. The castle, and the town consequently, received the name in honor of Ernest's wife Auguste, herself also from a branch of dukes of Schleswig-Holstein.

The castle became the chief seat of their line which used the name Augustenborg as its branch name. Later, a Danish king made the head of that line specifically Duke of Augustenborg. They grew in relative prominence in late 18th century, and in the 19th century Schleswig-Holstein Question, being the symbols of pro-German nationalistic movement in Schleswig-Holstein. The area was annexed by Prussia in 1864 from Denmark, but was returned in 1920 following a plebiscite.

The Augustenburg line died out in the 20th century.

Augustenborg Castle

Augustenborg Castle is now converted into a hospital. There is an exhibit about the castle, the town and its ducal history in the building's entryway. The castle church is open to the public in the summertime. There are periodic tours given.

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