Rheine

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

Rheine-Emswehr.jpg
Flag of Rheine
Coat of arms of Rheine
Location of Rheine within Steinfurt district
Rheine in ST.svg
Coordinates: 52°17′N 7°26′E / 52.283°N 7.433°E / 52.283; 7.433Coordinates: 52°17′N 7°26′E / 52.283°N 7.433°E / 52.283; 7.433
CountryGermany
StateNorth Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. regionMünster
DistrictSteinfurt
Government
 • MayorAngelika Kordfelder (SPD)
Area
 • Total145 km2 (56 sq mi)
Elevation
35 m (115 ft)
Population
 (2013-12-31)
 • Total73,484
 • Density506.8/km2 (1,313/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
48429-48432
Vehicle registrationST, BF, TE
Websitewww.rheine.de

Geography

Rheine is on the river Ems, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Münster, about 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Osnabrück and 45 kilometres (28 miles) 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 municipalities

History

Although a lot of people have lived in the area around the city since prehistorical times, Rheine was first mentioned in a document signed by Louis the Pious only in 838. On 15 August 1327 it got 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 continued to be 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

Rheine Media

References

Other websites

  Media related to Rheine at Wikimedia Commons