Kleve (district)

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Kleve (Cleves)

Map of North Rhine-Westphalia highlighting the district of Kleve (Cleves)
State North Rhine-Westphalia
Adm. region Düsseldorf
District seat Kleve (Cleves)
Area 1,232.15 km²
Population 302,946 (2001)
Pop. density 244 /km²
Licence plate code KLE
Web page http://www.kreis-kleve.de

Kleve (district) or Kreis Kleve (Cleves in former English use) is a Kreis (local-government district) in northwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighbouring districts are Borken, Wesel, and Viersen in Germany, and the Dutch provinces of Limburg and Gelderland.

Contents

[edit] History

The district in its present borders was created in 1975 when the former district of Kleve and Geldern was merged with the Rees District towns of Emmerich and Rees and the Moers District municipality of Rheurdt.

The two precursor districts had been created in 1816 when the whole of the Rhineland became a province of Prussia. Territorially they corresponded roughly to the historic duchies of Cleves and Guelders.

[edit] Geography

The district is located in the lower valley of the Rhine, in the region where that river flows into the Netherlands.

[edit] Coat of arms

Coat of arms The coat of arms, which was granted in 1983, combines the shields of the two constituent duchies.

The dexter side which is their right, your left if facing the shield depicts the emblem of the dukes of Cleves: On a red (gules)field a white (argent) escutcheon (shield shape) with an eight-fold fleur-de-lys (escarbuncle/metal shield reinforcement). The sinister side which is their left and your right shows a golden (Or) lion (in rampant position) on a blue (azure) field (background): the emblem of the dukes of Geldern.

[edit] Towns and municipalities

Towns Municipalities
  1. Emmerich
  2. Geldern
  3. Goch
  4. Kalkar
  5. Kevelaer
  6. Kleve (Cleves)
  7. Rees
  8. Straelen
  1. Bedburg-Hau
  2. Issum
  3. Kerken
  4. Kranenburg
  5. Rheurdt
  6. Uedem
  7. Wachtendonk
  8. Weeze

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 51°47′23″N 6°08′45″E / 51.78972, 6.14583