Twente
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The district of Twente in the eastern Netherlands lies between Salland in the west and the German frontier to the east. It is a region of featureless sandy plains, varied only in the east by an area of terminal moraines rising to 85m/280ft, the weathered remains of detritus deposited by the glaciers of the second-last ice age (the Saale/Riss glacial).
Since about 1830 the textile industry of Twente has developed from a traditional cottage industry into the major element in the economy of the region. The spinning and weaving mills and dyeing factories are mostly located in the towns of Enschede, Hengelo, Almelo and Oldenzaal.
Outside these industrial centers Twente is still essentially an agricultural region, dotted with villages of traditional type and isolated farmsteads. Pastoral farming predominates in the north, with extensive areas of grazing and meadowland and only occasional patches of arable land. There is more arable farming south of Enschede, where the soil is better.
Since about 1830 the textile industry of Twente has developed from a traditional cottage industry into the major element in the economy of the region. The spinning and weaving mills and dyeing factories are mostly located in the towns of Enschede, Hengelo, Almelo and Oldenzaal.
Outside these industrial centers Twente is still essentially an agricultural region, dotted with villages of traditional type and isolated farmsteads. Pastoral farming predominates in the north, with extensive areas of grazing and meadowland and only occasional patches of arable land. There is more arable farming south of Enschede, where the soil is better.
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