Krefeld

Krefeld (krā`fĕlt), city (1994 pop. 249,560), North Rhine–Westphalia, W Germany, a port on the Rhine River. It is the center of the German silk and velvet industry, and is a major rail hub and textile center. Other manufactures include quality steels, machinery, clothing, chemicals, and dyes. Krefeld was chartered in 1373 and was an important linen-weaving center until it passed (1702) to Prussia. The silk industry, encouraged by a monopoly given to the city by Frederick II of Prussia, soon replaced linen weaving; and in the 20th cent. the manufacture of artificial silk became important. In 1929 the neighboring town of Uerdingen was incorporated into Krefeld. The city was heavily damaged in World War II. A former spelling is Crefeld.

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Krefeld

a city in Germany, in W North Rhine-Westphalia: textile industries. Pop.: 238 565 (2003 est.)

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Krefeld 

a city in the Federal Republic of Germany, on the Rhine in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia. Population, 222,700 (1970). Krefeld is a transportation junction and a port on the Rhine (Uerdingen; freight turnover 3.5 million tons in 1971) and is one of the important centers of the Rhine-West-phalian industrial region. Textile (silk, velvet, knits) and chemical industries, manufacturers of high-quality steel and steel structures, multipurpose machine building, railroad-car builders, electrical engineering industries, and food enterprises are there. Krefeld has a higher school for engineers in the machine-building and textile industries and an industrial arts school.