Viersen is a Kreis (district) in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Cleves, Wesel, district-free Krefeld, Neuss, district-free Mönchengladbach, Heinsberg and the Dutch province Limburg.

History

In 1816 the new prussian government created the district Kempen, originally belonging to the Regierungsbezirk Kleve, but that one was dissolved in 1822 already and since then it belongs to Düsseldorf. In 1929 the district was enlarged significantly and renamed to Kempen-Krefeld.

In 1975 the district again changed its borders and was renamed to Viersen, even though the capital remained in Kempen , until it finally moved to Viersen in 1984.

Since 1983 the district has a partner-district in the England, the Cambridgeshire county.

Geography

The district is located in the lowlands between the Rhine and the Meuse river. Highest elevation is the Süchtelner Höhen with 90.7 m, lowest the Pielbruch with 28.6 m.

Coat of arms

In top of the coat of arms is the black cross of the Cologne bishops, as the district did belong to the clerical state Cologne. The golden lion on blue ground is the symbol of the dukes of Geldern , the black lion on golden ground the symbol of the duke of Jülich.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)