{{Infobox German location |type = Stadt |image_photo = St. Petri-Kirche in Westerstede (2022).jpg |image_caption = St Peters Church and market square |name = Westerstede |image_flag = Flagge Westerstede.svg |image_coa = DEU Westerstede COA.svg |coordinates = {{coord|53|15|N|7|55|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |image_plan = Westerstede in WST.svg |state = Lower Saxony |district = Ammerland |elevation = 6 |area = 179.55 |postal_code = 26655 |area_code = 04488, 04409 |licence = WST |Gemeindeschlüssel = 03 4 51 007 |divisions = 24 districts |website = [https://www.westerstede.de/ www.westerstede.de] |mayor = Michael Rösner<ref name=mayor>{{cite web|url=https://www.statistik.niedersachsen.de/download/169156|title=Verzeichnis der direkt gewählten Bürgermeister/-innen und Landräte/Landrätinnen|date=April 2021|publisher=Landesamt für Statistik Niedersachsen}}</ref> |leader_term = 2019–24 |party = }} '''Westerstede''' ({{IPA|de|vɛstɐˈʃteːdə|-|De-Westerstede.ogg}}; {{langx|nds|Westerstäe}}) is the capital of the Ammerland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approximately 25 km northwest of Oldenburg.
It is known for hosting the Rhodo Festival, the biggest exhibition of rhododendrons in Europe. The festival is hosted every four years (next time in 2027).
The villages of Burgforde, Eggeloge, Felde, Fikensolt, Garnholt, Gießelhorst, Halsbek, Halstrup, Hollriede, Hollwege, Hollwegerfeld, Hüllstede, Ihausen, Ihorst, Karlshof, Linswege, Linswegerfeld, Mansie, Lindern, Moorburg, Neuengland, Ocholt, Ocholterfeld, Ollenharde, Petersfeld, Tarbarg, Torsholt, Westerloy, Westerloyerfeld and Westerstederfeld are part of Westerstede.
The railway station of Westerstede is located in the village of Ocholt, 6 km south of the town. Trains from and to Leer and Oldenburg halt there every hour.
The community (and the whole Ammerland region) is famous for its tree nurseries. They grow rhododendrons that are sold outside Germany as well. The slightly acid peat soil is very suitable for this type of horticulture.
thumb|left|Belltower at Rhodo 2023, exhibition of rhododendrons
Near Linswege village, 7 km north-east of Westerstede, a ''Rhododendron Park'' has been established next to a beautiful wooded area. The park is open to visitors in May and June every year.
==Mayor== The current mayor of Westerstede is Michael Rösner (UWG), who has been in office since 2019.<ref name="mayor" />
==Notable people== thumb|125px|Friedrich Tietjen * Wolfgang Hackbusch (born 1948), mathematician * Eilhardus Lubinus (1565–1621), professor of poetics, theology, mathematics, geography, and Rector of the University of Rostock * Bruno Steinhoff (born 1937), billionaire businessman, founder of Steinhoff International * Friedrich Tietjen (1834–1895), astronomer
==External links== * [https://minnesotanindresden.blogspot.com/2010/05/westerstede-last-post-off-to-spring.html Pictures from spring festival in Westerstede] * [http://www.rhodo.de/ Rhodo Festival]
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Cities and towns in Ammerland (district)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Ammerland Category:Grand Duchy of Oldenburg
{{Ammerland-geo-stub}}