Country Germany Adm. region Düsseldorf Vehicle registration KLE GEL Capital Kleve | State North Rhine-Westphalia Time zone CET (UTC+1) Population 307,807 (31 Dec 2010) Administrative region Düsseldorf | |
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University Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences Clubs and Teams SV Straelen, 1. FC Kleve, SV Hönnepel-Niedermörmter, Viktoria Goch Points of interest Rhine, Irrland, Moyland Castle, Wunderland Kalkar, Kernie’s Familienpark Destinations Kleve, Goch, Emmerich am Rhein, Kevelaer, Kalkar | ||
Kleve (Cleves in English use) or Kreis Kleve 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
Map of Kleve, Germany
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.
Geography
The district is located in the lower valley of the Rhine, in the region where that river flows into the Netherlands.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms, which was granted in 1983, combines the shields of the two constituent duchies.
The dexter side depicts the emblem of the dukes of Cleves: On a red (gules) field a white (argent) escutcheon (shield shape) with an eightfold fleur-de-lys (escarbuncle/metal shield reinforcement). The sinister side shows a golden (or) lion (in rampant position) on a blue (azure) field (background): the emblem of the dukes of Geldern.