Stadt Duisburg

Located at the confluence of the Rhein and the Ruhr, Duisburg has been continuously settled since Roman times. The name Duisburg dates from the 8th century. Upon the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire, Duisburg became an Imperial City, but was awarded to the County of Cleves in 1290. In 1407, it joined the Hanseatic League. Within the County/Duchy of Cleves, it was always independent of any Amt or Kreis and was unaffected by the local government reform of 1753.