Emmerich am Rhein

Crest	Map
	Map of Germany, with the location of Emmerich am Rhein marked
Basic Data
State:	North Rhine-Westphalia
Regierungsbezirk:	Düsseldorf
District:	Cleves
Area:	approx. 80.09 km² (1/1/2000)
Population:	29,276 (December 31, 2003)
Population density:	362.44 people/km²
Elevation:	approx. 13-82 m above sea level
Postal code:	46446
Area code:	02822 (Emmerich Telephone Network) 02828 (Elten Telephone Network)
Location:	51° 50' 23'' N Latitude 6° 14' 46'' E Longitude
Car designation:	KLE
Municipal code:	05 1 54 008
Arrangement of the city:	8 districts
Address of the city administration:	Geistmarkt 1 46446 Emmerich am Rhein
Website:	www.emmerich.de
E-Mail Address:	stadtverwaltung@stadt-emmerich.de
Politics
Mayor:	Johannes Diks (CDU)
Ruling Party:	CDU
Photos:
File:Emmerich East.jpg Emmerich am Rhein as seen from the east
Emmerich am Rhein - The Christuskirche
File:Emmerich PAN-Forum.jpg Emmerich am Rhein - PAN-Forum (Plakatmuseum)

The city of Emmerich (or in full Emmerich am Rhein, meaning Emmerich on the Rhine) stands on the lower part of the Rhine River in the northwest of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In terms of local government organization, it is a medium-sized city belonging to the district of Cleves in the administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) of Düsseldorf.

Geography

Emmerich borders the Netherlands in the north and west.

Metropolitan area

The municipalities which comprise Emmereich are Borghees, Dornick, Elten, Hüthum, Klein-Netterden, Speelberg, Praest, Vrasselt and Leegmeer.

Neighboring Municipalities and Cities

The city of Emmerich borders the municipality of Montferland and Oude IJsselstreek in the north, both of which are in the province of Gelderland (NL). In the east it is bordered by the city of Rees and in the south the city of Kleve, as well as the municipality of Rijnwaarden and the city of Zevenaar in the west, both of which are also in the province of Gelderland (NL).

History

Around the year 700 Saint Willibrord founded the mission "Emmerich" in the Utrecht diocese. The oldest documented name is "Villa Embrici," which survives from the year 828.

The collegiate church St. Martinikirche was constructed in 1040.

On May 31, 1233 Count Otto von Zutphen and Gelder arose to the royalty of the prosperous city with the authorization of the Roman emperor and the German King Emmerich. Emmerich became a member of the Hanseatic League at the end of the 14th century.

In 1856 the railway section Oberhausen-Arnheim, of the Cologne-Mindener Railway was opened.

During World War II Emmerich was 97% destroyed on October 7, 1944 by allied air strikes.

On November 28, 2004 the four Catholic congregations of the city (St. Martini, St. Aldegundis, Heilig-Geist and Liebfrauen) combined to form a the new city parish St. Christophorus.

The longest suspension bridge in Germany spans the Rhine in Emmereich, connecting the cities of Emmerich and Kleve.

Municipality and County Reform

As a part of of the 1st municipal restructuring program, the municipalities of Borghees, Dornick, Hüthum, Klein-Netterden, Praest and Vrasselt were integrated into the city of Emmerich on July 1, 1969. In the course of the 2nd restructuring program the municipality of Elten was integrated as well, on January 1, 1975.

Places of Interest

Holy Ghost Church This Catholic church was built in 1966 and is especially striking due to its version of the cross made of scrap metal and the Stations of the Cross made of linen. The architectural development during the time of the Second Vatican Council shaped the design of the church.

Rhine Bridge This bridge was opened in 1965, and with a length of 1228 meters and a span of 500 meters it is the longest suspension bridge in Germany. Approximately 500 ships pass underneath it every day.

Rhine Museum. In the Rhine Museum 130 ship models are exhibited, as well as a radar unit, examples of fish taxidermy, maps of the Rhine, a historic Christophorus figurine and a library of the city’s history. In addition there is a one-man U-Boat from World War II and exhibitions regarding shipping on the Rhine, the history of the city and fisheries.

PAN-Art Forum/Poster Museum. The famous poster collection is displayed in the former Lohmann chocolate factory in rotating exhibits.

Transportation Infrastructure

Inland waterways

• Rhinestrom and
• Municipal Rhine Harbor of Emmerich

Rail Transportation

The Emmerich train station is located about 1 km southeast of the city center on the double-tracked electrified “Holland Route,” which plays an important role in passenger travel and commercial transport and is therefore treated in the EU as a part of the Trans-European Network in the category “priority projects which should be begun before 2010.” In addition to the ICE International from Amsterdam to Frankfurt am Main, the night train CityNightLine to southern Germany and to Switzerland travels through here with a stop in Emmerich.

With regards to regional rail transport, the following trains pass through Emmerich, in general every hour:

• the Rhine Express (RE5) from Emmerich to Koblenz and
• the Regional Train Der Weseler (RB35) from Emmerich to Duisberg, and at rush hour to Düsseldorf.

There is another station located on the same line near Emmerich, the stop Praest, which is only served by the Regional Train Der Weseler (RB 35).

References

• This article is based on a translation of the corresponding article from the German Wikipedia, retrieved on May 10, 2005.