[3] In the former Holy Roman Empire and in German-speaking countries today, various terms were used including Bergrevier,[4] often shortened to Revier,[1] Bergamtsrevier,[4] Bergdistrict,[2] Bergamtsbezirk,[3] or Bergwerksdistrikt.
[5] Until the Middle Ages, mining in Europe was only practised on a small scale.
These higher authorities were in turn subordinate to the responsible ministry of state.
[11] The size of a mining district is regulated differently depending on the country.
There are countries in which the geographical location is decisive for the size of the individual mining districts.
[12] As a rule, the individual districts were named after the main mining town within it.