Cleves (Kleve in German and these days also usually in English) 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.

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 left half depicts the emblem of the dukes of Cleves: a white escutcheon with an eight-fold fleur-de-lys. The right half shows a golden lion on a blue ground: the emblem of the dukes of Geldern.

Towns and 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

External links

• Official website (German)
  

Districts of North Rhine-Westphalia

Kreis Kleve | Clèves (arrondissement) | Kleef (district) | Powiat Kleve