Kleve

Kleve is an administrative district in North Rhine-Westphalia comprising sixteen municipalities, including the towns of Emmerich, Geldern, and Goch. The area spreads across the Lower Rhine landscape and is shaped by its proximity to the Netherlands, with numerous waterways and green spaces throughout.

Today's district was created in 1975 through the merger of the former districts of Kleve and Geldern, which had been separate political entities for centuries. This consolidation brought together a long-fragmented region and established the current administrative framework we see today.

The name comes from the historic Duchy of Cleves, which shaped the region for centuries and remains part of local identity. Walking through the old town of Kleve, you can see how this medieval past continues to influence the way people relate to their surroundings today.

Most visitors use the city of Kleve as a starting point to explore the region, where administrative and tourist information can be found. From there, the various municipalities and towns are easy to reach by local connections.

The region sits at an important boundary between Germany and the Netherlands, where the Rhine flows between the countries and waterways continuously shape the area. This water-defined landscape makes it a special place for anyone interested in experiencing nature and border geography.

Location: Düsseldorf Government Region

Inception: 1816

Capital city: Kleve

Elevation above the sea: 18 m

Shares border with: Wesel, Viersen, Borken

Website: https://kreis-kleve.de

GPS coordinates: 51.66667,6.25000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:45