# Wesel

> city in Germany

**Wikidata**: [Q4011](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4011)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wesel

## Summary
Wesel is a city in Germany, classified as a Hanseatic city, a large district town, and the capital of the Wesel district. Located in North Rhine-Westphalia, it covers an area of approximately 122.6 square kilometers and had a population of 61,277 as of December 31, 2023. The city serves as a significant administrative and urban center within the region.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia), situated at coordinates 51.6586°N, 6.6177°E.
- **Area**: 122.617 square kilometres (122.56 km² as of 2017).
- **Population**: 61,277 (as of Dec 31, 2023; 31,501 female, 29,776 male).
- **Government**: 
    - Mayor: Rainer Benien (Social Democratic Party of Germany), term starts November 1, 2025.
    - Predecessor: Ulrike Westkamp (served from 2004 to Oct 31, 2025).
- **Elevation**: 23 to 29 metres above sea level.
- **Postal Codes**: 46483, 46485, 46487.
- **Dialing Codes**: 0281, 02803, 02859.
- **UN/LOCODE**: DEWES.
- **Identifiers**: Wikidata ID, GND ID 4065697-4, VIAF ID 139031556.

## FAQs
**What are the administrative and political classifications of Wesel?**
Wesel is designated as a large district town, a district capital, and an urban municipality in Germany. It holds the historical title of Hanseatic city and is a member of the Städte- und Gemeindebund Nordrhein-Westfalen.

**Who leads the city government?**
Rainer Benien (SPD) is set to become the head of government starting November 1, 2025, succeeding Ulrike Westkamp, who held the office starting in 2004.

**What international connections does Wesel have?**
The city is twinned with Hagerstown (USA), Salzwedel (Germany), Felixstowe (UK), and Kętrzyn (Poland). It has been a member of "Mayors for Peace" since February 1987.

**What demographic data is available for Wesel?**
The population has grown from 56,584 in 1975 to 61,277 in 2023. The most recent data indicates a sex distribution of 31,501 female and 29,776 male residents.

## Why It Matters
Wesel serves as a critical administrative hub as the capital of the Wesel district and a "large district town." Its status as a Hanseatic city links it to a historical network of trade cities, while its membership in modern organizations like the "Mayors for Peace" and the "Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Cities" highlights its commitment to contemporary urban issues and international cooperation. The city's infrastructure includes the Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe (transport company), underscoring its role in regional mobility.

## Notable For
- **Hanseatic City Status**: Holds the traditional title indicating its historical membership in the Hanseatic League.
- **District Capital**: Functions as the administrative center for the Wesel district.
- **International Twin Towns**: Maintains active partnerships with Hagerstown, Salzwedel, Felixstowe, and Kętrzyn.
- **Mayors for Peace Membership**: A long-standing member since 1987.
- **Bicycle-Friendly Initiatives**: A member of the association for pedestrian and bicycle-friendly cities in North Rhine-Westphalia since 1995.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Wesel is located in Germany within the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It lies at coordinates 51.6586° N, 6.6177° E, with an elevation ranging from 23 to 29 meters above sea level. The city covers a total area of 122.617 square kilometers. It shares borders with seven neighboring municipalities: Hamminkeln, Hünxe, Voerde, Rheinberg, Alpen, Xanten, and Rees.

As an administrative entity, Wesel is the capital of the Wesel District. It is classified as an urban municipality, a city, and a large district town. The city's unique identifiers include the German municipality key `05170048` and the German regional key `051700048048`.

### Governance and Politics
The city's executive leadership has seen a recent transition. Ulrike Westkamp served as the head of government from 2004 until her term ended on October 31, 2025. She is succeeded by Rainer Benien of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), who is scheduled to start his term on November 1, 2025.

Wesel is politically active in several associations:
- **Mayors for Peace**: Member since February 1987.
- **Städte- und Gemeindebund Nordrhein-Westfalen**: Current member.
- **Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Cities**: Member since 1995.

### Demographics
The population of Wesel has remained relatively stable with slight growth over the decades.
- **1975**: 56,584 residents.
- **2014**: 60,088 residents.
- **2017**: 60,496 residents.
- **2021**: 60,688 residents (31,215 female, 29,473 male).
- **2022**: 61,330 residents (31,603 female, 29,727 male).
- **2023**: 61,277 residents (31,501 female, 29,776 male).

### Infrastructure and Transport
Wesel is integrated into regional and international transport networks. Its UN/LOCODE is **DEWES**. The city operates the **Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe** as a subsidiary. Local communication is serviced by dialing codes 0281, 02803, and 02859. Postal services are divided into three codes: 46483, 46485, and 46487.

### Culture and Media
The city maintains a distinct cultural identity. Its coat of arms features a silver heart shield in a red field, accompanied by three silver weasels jumping to the left. The **Stadtarchiv Wesel** serves as the city's archive. Wesel is covered by various encyclopedic sources, including the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th edition), and the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia*. Wikipedia articles about the city exist in over 50 languages, including German, English, French, and Russian.

### International Relations
Wesel is twinned with four administrative bodies:
- **Hagerstown** (United States)
- **Salzwedel** (Germany)
- **Felixstowe** (United Kingdom)
- **Kętrzyn** (Poland)

## References

1. [Source](https://wahl.krzn.de/kw2025/wep490/erg/490-303-BUW-wgkz.html)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](http://www.agfs-nrw.de/mitglieder/wesel.html)
4. [Source](http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/english/membercity/map/europe.html)
5. [Source](https://www.kommunen.nrw/der-verband/mitglieder-des-stgb-nrw.html)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Alle politisch selbständigen Gemeinden mit ausgewählten Merkmalen am 31.12.2018 (4. Quartal). Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/GVAuszugQ/AuszugGV4QAktuell.html)
9. DESTATIS 1975
10. [Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.statistikportal.de/de/produkte/gemeindeverzeichnis)
11. register of German municipalities (4th quarter 2022)
12. register of German municipalities (2022)
13. register of German municipalities (2023)
14. GeoNames
15. directory of German Library Codes
16. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/de.htm)
17. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
18. Provenio
19. museum-digital