Vechte
Encyclopedia
The Vechte or Vecht (in Dutch
), often called Overijsselse Vecht in the Netherlands
to avoid confusion with its Utrecht
counterpart
, is a river
in Germany
and the Netherlands. Its total length is 167 km, of which 107 km are on German soil.
The Vechte originates in the Baumberge
hill
s in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia
near the city of Münster
and flows north into the state of Lower Saxony
, past the towns of Nordhorn
and Emlichheim
, across the border and then westwards into the Dutch province of Overijssel
(hence its alternate Dutch designation). There, it flows through the north part of the Salland
region past Hardenberg
and Ommen
, taking in the water of the Regge
stream along the way.
Close to the city of Zwolle
, the river suddenly bends north to end in confluence
with the Zwarte Water
river near the town of Hasselt.
The Vecht is probably called Vidrus
by Ptolemy in his map of Magna Germania.
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
), often called Overijsselse Vecht in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
to avoid confusion with its Utrecht
Utrecht (province)
Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands in terms of area, and is located in the centre of the country. It is bordered by the Eemmeer in the north, Gelderland in the east, the river Rhine in the south, South Holland in the west, and North Holland in the northwest...
counterpart
Vecht (Utrecht)
thumb|right|[[Satellite]] [[image]] of the surroundings of [[Utrecht |Utrecht]] showing river Vecht and the [[Amsterdam-Rhine Canal]] .220px|thumb|right|Location of river Vecht ....
, is a river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Netherlands. Its total length is 167 km, of which 107 km are on German soil.
The Vechte originates in the Baumberge
Baumberge
The Baumberge are the highest hills in the natural regions of Münsterland and Kernmünsterland with a maximum height of . They are located between Münster and Coesfeld, which is itself close to the southwest edge of the Baumberge....
hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
s in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
near the city of Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
and flows north into the state of Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
, past the towns of Nordhorn
Nordhorn
Nordhorn is the district seat of Grafschaft Bentheim in Lower Saxony's southwesternmost corner near the border with the Netherlands and the boundary with North Rhine-Westphalia.- Name's origin :...
and Emlichheim
Emlichheim
Emlichheim is a community in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim in Lower Saxony, Germany, roughly 20 km south of Emmen, and 25 km northwest of Nordhorn.- Geography :...
, across the border and then westwards into the Dutch province of Overijssel
Overijssel
Overijssel is a province of the Netherlands in the central eastern part of the country. The region has a NUTS classification of NL21. The province's name means "Lands across river IJssel". The capital city of Overijssel is Zwolle and the largest city is Enschede...
(hence its alternate Dutch designation). There, it flows through the north part of the Salland
Salland
Salland is a historical dominion in the west and north of the present Dutch province of Overijssel. It is probably named after the Salian Franks, who are thought to originate from Salland...
region past Hardenberg
Hardenberg
Hardenberg is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands, in the province of Overijssel. The city of Hardenberg has a population of about 17,200. It received city rights in 1362 from Jan van Arkel, Bishop of Utrecht. The famous Pieterpad also passes through Hardenberg.-Cycling:There are...
and Ommen
Ommen
Ommen is a municipality and a Hanseatic city in the Vecht valley of the Salland region, which is at the heart of the province of Overijssel in the eastern Netherlands. Historical records first name Ommen in the early 12th century and it was officially founded as a city in 1248...
, taking in the water of the Regge
Regge River
The Regge is a river in Overijssel, the Netherlands, tributary of the Vecht. The source of the Regge is near the town Goor. It flows north through Rijssen, Nijverdal, and Hellendoorn. The Regge joins the Vecht near Ommen....
stream along the way.
Close to the city of Zwolle
Zwolle
Zwolle is a municipality and the capital city of the province of Overijssel, Netherlands, 120 kilometers northeast of Amsterdam. Zwolle has about 120,000 citizens.-History:...
, the river suddenly bends north to end in confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
with the Zwarte Water
Zwarte Water
The Zwarte Water is a river in the Dutch province of Overijssel. It is formed just south of the city of Zwolle when two streams, the Soestwetering and the Nieuwe Wetering, merge...
river near the town of Hasselt.
The Vecht is probably called Vidrus
Vidrus
The Vidrus fluvius, Greek Ouidros potamos, is a river of Ptolemy's Geographia located in greater Germany. Its exact location is not known for certain, but it must be in the lowlands....
by Ptolemy in his map of Magna Germania.