city, Saxony Land (state), eastern Germany. It lies on the Schwarze Elster River, in a lignite- (brown-coal-) mining region, south of Cottbus. First mentioned in 1268 as the seat of a German barony reputedly founded by Count Hoyer of Friedberg, it acquired market rights in 1371. In 1959 the “Socialist New Town” of Hoyerswerda-Neustadt was built to the northeast of the old city as a residential area for the nearby huge lignite-processing combine of Schwarze Pumpe, which unifies mining and power facilities. The manufacture of a variety of electrical products, foodstuffs, and building materials contributes to the local economy. Hoyerswerda is also a regional administrative and shopping centre. Pop. (2003 est.) 45,011.