Editing Borken (district) (section)

== History ==

During the era of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] the area was subordinate to the [[Prince-Bishopric of Münster]] for centuries. In 1803 the bishops lost this territory, and the short-lived [[Principality of Salm]] was founded. After the [[Napoleonic Wars]] the region became a part of the [[Prussia]]n province of [[Westphalia]] in 1815. At that time the district was created, together with the district [[Ahaus]]. In 1923 the city [[Bocholt, Germany|Bocholt]] left the district and became a district-free city. In 1975 the district got its current size by incorporating the district Ahaus, the city Bocholt and small parts of the districts Rees, [[Recklinghausen (district)|Recklinghausen]] and [[Coesfeld (district)|Coesfeld]].