Almelo

Almelo [äl′mə lō΄]

city in E Netherlands: pop. 65,000

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▪ municipality, The Netherlands

      gemeente (municipality), eastern Netherlands, at the junction of the Overijssel Canal and the Almelo-Nordhorn branch of the Twente Canal; it comprises the former municipalities of Ambt-Almelo, Stad-Almelo, and Vriezenveen.

      An independent barony belonging to the van Rechteren family, Almelo was acquired through marriage (1350) by the lords of Heeckeren, who also gained the countship of Limburg in 1711. A branch of the family still holds the seat and the Huis te Almelo castle (1662–64).

      Almelo shared in the rapid textile-based growth of the Twente district in the 19th century. Textiles have now been eclipsed, however, and Almelo relies on service industries, with some manufacturing and transport firms. Among its notable buildings are the 17th-century Dutch Reformed Church, the 16th-century town hall (now a tourist office), and the Weighhouse, incorporating an art gallery. Pop. (2007 est.) 72,096.

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