RHEINE

'Rheine' is a city in the district of Steinfurt, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest city in the district.

Contents

Geography

Division of the town

Neighbouring places

History

Twin Towns

External Links

Geography

Rheine is located on the river Ems, approx. 40 kilometers north of Münster, approx. 45 kilometers west of Osnabrück and 45 kilometers east of Enschede (Netherlands).

Division of the town

Rheine consists of 15 districts:

★ Altenrheine ★ Bentlage ★ Catenhorn ★ Dorenkamp ★ Dutum

★ Elte ★ Eschendorf (Kiebitzheide) ★ Gellendorf ★ Hauenhorst ★ Rheine (city center)

★ Mesum ★ Rodde ★ Schleupe ★ Schotthock ★ Wadelheim

Neighbouring places

★ Salzbergen

★ Spelle

★ Hörstel

★ Emsdetten

★ Neuenkirchen

History

Although the region around the city has been populated since prehistorical times, Rheine was first mentioned in a document signed by Louis the Pious only in 838. On 15th August 1327 it received its town charter from Louis II, Bishop of Münster.
The settlement was founded by reason of two old merchant roads crossing nearby, as well as a ford crossing the river Ems. Frankish soldiers secured this strategic point by a barrack yard at first. Later a church and more buildings were added to this outpost.
In the end of Thirty Years' War the city burned down almost completely. Swedish and Hessian troops besieged imperial soldiers who entrenched themselves in Rheine. On 20th/21st September and 19th October 1647 glowing cannonballs set fire to the city, 365 houses got razed.
During the industrialisation textile industry prospered. It remained an important economical factor until the second half of the 20th century. Today engineering industries and services form the largest part of economy in Rheine.

Twin Towns

★ Borne (Netherlands) -- since 1983

★ Bernburg (Saale) (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) -- since 1990

★ Leiria (Portugal) -- since 1996

★ Trakai (Lithuania) -- since 1996

External Links

★ Official site

★ Association for Rheine's twin towns

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