Emsland

Emsland is a district (Landkreis) in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Leer, Cloppenburg, Osnabrück, Steinfurt (North Rhine-Westphalia), Bentheim, and the Netherlands (province of Drenthe).

The district's name is derived from the Ems River, which flows through it from south to north. Meppen is the district's capital. The Emsland is largely characterized by moorland, heathland, and agricultural areas. Historically, it was a relatively isolated and economically disadvantaged region.

Key industries in Emsland include agriculture, tourism (particularly cycling along the Ems River), and renewable energy (especially wind power). The region has also benefited from industrial development related to automotive suppliers and other manufacturing.

Important towns and municipalities in Emsland include Meppen, Lingen, Papenburg, Haren, and Sögel. The region is known for its strong Catholic traditions.

Emsland is served by the Bundesautobahn 31 (A31), also known as the "Emslandautobahn," which connects the region to the Ruhr area and the North Sea coast. The region also has a number of railway lines.