Twist, Germany

Infobox German Location
Art = Gemeinde
Name = Twist
Wappen = Wappen Twist.jpg
lat_deg = 52 |lat_min = 37
lon_deg = 07 |lon_min = 02
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Niedersachsen
Landkreis = Emsland
Höhe = 16
Fläche = 105.61
Einwohner = 9641
Stand = 2006-06-30
PLZ = 49767
Vorwahl = 0 59 36
Kfz = EL
Gemeindeschlüssel = 03 4 54 054
Adresse = Flensbergstraße
49767 Twist
Website = [http://www.twist-emsland.de/ www.twist-emsland.de]
Bürgermeister = Ernst Schmitz
Partei = Independent

Twist is a municipality in the Emsland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated directly at the Dutch border.

Situation of the local parts in the municipality of Twist:

Landmarks

The parish church in the district Heblermeer housed two rococo busts of Ignatius of Loyola and Francisco de Xavier created by the sculptor Johann Heinrich König (1705-1784).

An exceptionally feature is the Protestant church in the district Neuringe, because this church has one of the oldest and most valuable organ (constructed in 1719) of the Protestant national church.

In the center of the municipality Twist are numerously retailers located such as grocery stores, travel agency, a bank and so on. Also the city hall and the police station is situated in the center of Twist. A special attraction of the center is the museum for crude oil and natural gas and also the "Heimathaus Twist".

In 2006 the German counties Emsland and Grafschaft Bentheim founded together with the Dutch county Drenthe the "Internationaler Naturpark Moor" (International Nature Park Bog). This park stretches across big parts of the municipality Twist. The park has a unique biota and is every year the wintering grounds of numerous migratory birds.

Recreational activity & culture

Culture

The "Heimathaus Twist" is a reconstructed old farmer house located in the center of Twist. It's known for blues- and folk concerts which are taking place many times a year. However, also several events especially for children are organized by the team of the "Heimathaus Twist".Directly beside the "Heimathaus Twist" is the museum for crude oil and natural gas located. It shows several exhibits to this issue and the historical development of the extraction of crude oil and natural gas. The crude oil and natural gas industry has a long history in the area of Twist wherefore it was sometimes also called the German Texas.

Recreational activity

In every district of Twist are several sport clubs where soccer is the dominant sport, but basketball, ping-pong, competitive dance, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, handball and gymnastics are also offered.

Family policy

In May 2007 the town council decided measures to support families with children. Hence families with two or three children get a special concession on a building ground for a one-family house. Families with four children get a building ground for free. For this limited in time rule (till 12/31/2009) counts children which are while the acquisition younger than 15 years and also children which are born 10 years after the acquisition.

Economy and Infrastructure

Traffic

Twist has a direct connection to the autobahn 31 which acts as north-south route between the North Sea and the Ruhr. Twist is also connected to europastraße 233 which is almost constructed like an autobahn on German site and on Dutch side it already has the status as autobahn. This europastraße (E 233) connects the metropolis Rotterdam, Amsterdam with Hamburg and finally Scandinavia.

Economy

Till the middle of the nineteen-nineties the crude oil-, natural gas- and peat industry dominated the economy in Twist. Especially in these industries many employees lost their job the last years. Since then many small and medium size business companies settle down in the area of Twist especially in the industrial park at the autobahn. The biggest employer in Twist is the Dutch company Wavin. This company is European market leader for plastic pipe systems.

Tourism

The last years the tourism also becomes an important factor, whereas the focus of the tourism is in the district Neuringe. In addition of several holiday flats there is also a campground with a public lake for bathing and a farm for horseback riding. Especially this farm enjoys great popularity at the young guests. Furthermore on the area of this farm is an indoor children's playground which is especially children-tailored for children up to an age of 12 years.

Education

In Twist are 5 grade schools and one junior high. After a bigger replacement and a new constrated building in 2007, this junior high acts as full-time school nowadays.

External links

* [http://www.twist-emsland.de Official website] de icon
* [http://www.heimathaus-twist.de Website of the Heimathaus Twist a cultural institution known for Blues concerts] de icon
* [http://www.erdoel-erdgas-museum-twist.de Website of the museum for crude oil and natural gas] de icon