Goch

Goch is a town in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies in the Lower Rhine region near the border with the Netherlands and is surrounded by agricultural land. The town serves as an administrative center for the surrounding rural area and includes several neighborhoods.

The population is in the tens of thousands. The local economy combines agriculture with services, small-scale manufacturing, and trade. Public facilities include primary and secondary schools, churches, a town library, and a local museum. The town hosts regular markets and cultural events that reflect its regional character.

Historically, the area has medieval roots. Goch developed as a market town in the Duchy of Cleves and later became part of Prussia, before joining the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in modern Germany. In recent decades, Goch has engaged in cross-border cooperation with neighboring municipalities in the Netherlands and has benefited from regional infrastructure and mobility links.