Where Is the City of Cleves (Kleve) Located?

Cleves (Kleve), Germany: Location and Overview

Cleves (German: Kleve) is a historic city in northwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, near the Dutch border.

Geographic Details

• Coordinates: 51°47′N 6°08′E
• River: Lower Rhine (Niederrhein) – city sits on its west bank.
• Border: ~15 km (9 mi) from the Netherlands (Nijmegen is closest Dutch city).
• Region: Lower Rhine region (Niederrhein), part of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area.

Administrative Status

• District seat (Kreisstadt) of Kleve district.
• Population: ~54,000 (2023).
• Area: 97.7 km².

Historical Significance

• Medieval capital of the County/Duchy of Cleves.
• Schwanenburg Castle (Swan Castle) – landmark with Swan Knight legend.
• Anne of Cleves (Henry VIII's 4th wife) was born here.
• Major WWII damage (90% destroyed); rebuilt post-war.

Modern Profile

• Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (international campus).
• Tourism: Schwanenburg, Kurhaus (spa), Moyland Castle (museum), Reichswald forest.
• Cross-border cooperation with Dutch neighbors (Euregio Rhine-Waal).