Rheine

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Rheine


Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Administrative region	Münster
District	Steinfurt
Population	77,052 (2006)
Area	145.08 km²
Population density	527 /km²
Elevation	27-90 m
Coordinates	52°17′ N 7°26′ E
Postal code	48429-48432
Area code	05971, 05975, 05459
Licence plate code	ST
Mayor	Dr. Angelika Kordfelder (SPD)
Website	rheine.de

Rheine is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the river Ems in the district of Steinfurt. With a population of 76.374 (30 June 2005) it is the largest city in the district.

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 buldings 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 porsperised. 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.