Gladbeck

Gladbeck covers 36 square kilometers (about 14 square miles) in North Rhine-Westphalia and sits between 52 and 60 meters (170 to 197 feet) above sea level in the northern Ruhr area. Three railway stations link the town to important transport routes, while postal codes from 45964 to 45968 serve different sections of the municipality.

The settlement grew from five farming communities and received its official town charter in 1919 during the period of industrial growth driven by coal mining. The final coal pit closed in 1971, which transformed the local economy from mining to other industries including chemicals, glass, and environmental technology.

Medieval Wittringen Castle now houses museum rooms and stands within a 100-hectare forest area used by residents for walks and recreation. The historic walls provide space for exhibitions and events, while the surrounding woodland serves as a green lung for the urban area.

The three railway stations across the urban area ease arrival and orientation, with each serving a different neighborhood. Postal codes from 45964 to 45968 help navigate within the various municipal sections.

The economy has completely shifted after the closure of the final pit in 1971 and now includes sectors such as chemical industry, glass manufacturing, and environmental protection equipment. This change mirrors the broader development of the Ruhr region, which moved away from coal extraction toward other economic branches.