# Ems

> river in northwestern Europe in Germany and the Netherlands

**Wikidata**: [Q1648](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1648)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ems_(river))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ems

## Summary
The Ems is a river in northwestern Europe that flows through Germany and the Netherlands. It is geographically situated within the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, as well as the Dutch province of Groningen. The river has historical significance as the namesake for several former administrative regions and departments, and it connects to the North Sea via the Dutch seaport of Eemshaven.

## Key Facts
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 53.32555556, Longitude 7.24472222
- **Geographic Location:** Northwestern Europe
- **Countries Located In:** Germany, Netherlands
- **German States Located In:** North Rhine-Westphalia (inception: August 23, 1946), Lower Saxony (inception: November 1, 1946)
- **Dutch Province Located In:** Groningen
- **Wikipedia Title:** Ems (river)
- **Wikidata Description:** river in northwestern Europe in Germany and the Netherlands
- **Sitelink Count:** 60

## FAQs
**Which countries and administrative regions does the Ems river flow through?**
The Ems flows through Germany and the Netherlands. Within Germany, it is located in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, and within the Netherlands, it runs through the northeastern province of Groningen.

**What historical administrative divisions were named after the Ems?**
During the Napoleonic era, the river lent its name to three French departments existing from 1811 to 1814: Ems-Supérieur, Ems-Occidental, and Ems-Oriental. Later, in Germany, the Weser-Ems Government Region was established in Lower Saxony on August 1, 1977, and the Emsland region was designated in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

**What port is associated with the Ems river in the Netherlands?**
The river is associated with Eemshaven, a harbour located in Het Hogeland, Netherlands, which was established on January 1, 1973.

## Why It Matters
The Ems river serves as a significant natural watercourse defining the geography of northwestern Europe across the German-Dutch border. Its influence extends beyond physical geography into political and historical organization; the river has historically demarcated and named major administrative territories, from the Napoleonic French departments (Ems-Supérieur, Ems-Occidental, Ems-Oriental) to modern German regions like Emsland and the Weser-Ems Government Region. Economically, the river's basin supports regional infrastructure and maritime access, culminating at the North Sea coast through the critical Dutch harbour of Eemshaven.

## Notable For
- **Cross-Border Watercourse:** Acting as a natural feature bridging the national territories of Germany and the Netherlands.
- **Napoleonic Administration:** Serving as the namesake for three separate French departments (Ems-Supérieur, Ems-Occidental, Ems-Oriental) that existed between 1811 and 1814.
- **Regional Identity in Germany:** Lending its name to the Emsland region across North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, as well as the former Weser-Ems Government Region established in 1977.
- **Maritime Connection:** Linking inland waterways to the North Sea via the Dutch harbour of Eemshaven, established in 1973.

## Body

### Geographic Location and Classification
The Ems is classified as a river—a larger natural watercourse—situated in northwestern Europe. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude 53.32555556 and longitude 7.24472222. The watercourse spans two European countries: Germany and the Netherlands. Within Germany, the river is located in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Within the Netherlands, it flows through the northeasternmost province of Groningen.

### Historical French Departments (1811–1814)
During the Napoleonic era under the French Empire (country identifier ), the Ems river basin was organized into three distinct administrative departments, all of which were short-lived:
- **Ems-Supérieur:** Established on January 1, 1811.
- **Ems-Occidental:** Established on January 1, 1811.
- **Ems-Oriental:** Established on January 1, 1811.
All three departments were dissolved by 1814.

### German Regional and Administrative Entities
The Ems river has heavily influenced the administrative geography of modern Germany (country identifier ). Related entities include:
- **Emsland:** A region spanning the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.
- **Weser-Ems Government Region:** A former district of Lower Saxony, Germany, which was officially established on August 1, 1977.

### Dutch Infrastructure and Coastal Entities
At its northwestern reach toward the North Sea, the Ems is associated with key Dutch (country identifier Q55) maritime infrastructure:
- **Eemshaven:** A harbour situated in Het Hogeland, Netherlands, which commenced operations following its inception on January 1, 1973.

## References

1. Source
2. [Source](http://www.lanuv.nrw.de/fileadmin/lanuv/wasser/pdf/Gewaesserverzeichnis%20GSK3C.xls)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. FactGrid