Dülmen is situated in the south part of theMünsterland area, between theLippe river to the south, theBaumberge hills to the north and theEms river to the east. South of Dülmen theRuhr area is located.
After the local government reforms of 1975 Dülmen consists of the 7 subdivisions Dülmen, Kirchspiel, Buldern, Hausdülmen, Hiddingsel, Merfeld and Rorup.
Merfeld was first mentioned in 890. It became a part of Dülmen in 1975. It is known for its herd ofDülmen Ponies.Rorup was first mentioned in 1050 and became a district of Dülmen in 1975.
The place was first mentioned asDulmenni in 889, as a property ofWerden Abbey. Dülmen receivedtown privileges in 1311. It joined theHanseatic League in 1470. It was part of thePrince-Bishopric of Münster until it wasmediatised in 1803. After a short period in the hands of theHouse of Croÿ, and later part of theDuchy of Arenberg, it was taken by the French in 1811. After the defeat of Napoleon, it became part of thePrussianProvince of Westphalia. The Dülmen oil plant was a target of theOil Campaign of World War II: 90% of the city was destroyed[citation needed] and the city was rebuilt after the war. In 1973, the population reached 20,000. In 1975, Rorup, Merfeld, Hiddingsel, Buldern, Hausdülmen and Kirchspiel Dülmen became part of Dülmen.
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