Emmen

Emmen is a city and municipality in the northeast of the Netherlands, in the province of Drenthe. It is the largest city in Drenthe by population and serves as the regional economic and transport hub for the southeast of the province. The municipality of Emmen covers the city as well as several surrounding villages and rural areas.

Geography and population centers: The town sits on the Drenthe plateau near the German border. The surrounding landscape features farmland, forests, and remnants of peat bogs that historically shaped the area’s development. Within the municipality are neighborhoods and districts such as Angelslo and Bargeres.

History: The region has ancient settlements, but Emmen’s modern growth began in the 19th century with peat extraction and related industries. It expanded further in the 20th century, absorbing nearby communities and developing a diversified urban economy after World War II.

Economy and culture: Today Emmen has a diversified economy anchored in logistics, retail, and services, complemented by manufacturing and light industry. A major attraction is Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, opened in 2016 as a rebranding of the former Emmen Zoo. The city also hosts cultural venues and events that contribute to regional tourism.

Transport: Emmen is connected to the Dutch rail network via Emmen railway station, with regional and intercity services. The town is served by major roads that link Drenthe with neighboring provinces, facilitating regional accessibility.

Other places named Emmen: There is also an Emmen in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, which is a separate municipality.