Original: In 1975 the district got its current size by incorporating the district Ahaus, the city Bocholt and small parts of the districts Rees, Recklinghausen and Coesfeld.
Simplified: In 1975 the district was made by joining the old district of Ahaus, the city of Bocholt and small parts of the districts of Rees, Recklinghausen and Coesfeld.