Ems

The Ems is a river in northwestern Germany. It is approximately 360 kilometers long and drains much of the northwestern part of the country, mainly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The river flows into the North Sea at the Ems estuary, near Emden, and its lower course forms part of the border with the Netherlands.

The source is in the Teutoburg Forest region. It flows northward through the Emsland, passing towns such as Lingen and Meppen before reaching the coastal plain around Emden. The estuary has a tidal influence and is protected by dikes and a barrier system to control flood risk.

The Ems has long served transportation and trade; historically used for timber rafting, today it supports commercial navigation for inland barges and port operations at Emden and other towns. The surrounding region, referred to as Emsland, is a low-lying agricultural area with peatlands and nature reserves. The river and its valley have influenced cultural and economic development in northwestern Germany.