Rheine

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

 Geography 
Rheine is on the river Ems, about  north of Münster, about  west of Osnabrück and  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 
 Salzbergen
 Spelle
 Hörstel
 Emsdetten 
 Neuenkirchen

 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 
 25px Borne (Netherlands) -- since 1983
 25px Bernburg (Saale) (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) -- since 1990
 25px Leiria (Portugal) -- since 1996
 25px Trakai (Lithuania) -- since 1996

References

 Other websites 

 Official site
 Association for Rheine's twin towns 

Category:Towns in North Rhine-Westphalia
Category:Steinfurt (district)