VENLO

gemeente (commune), Limburg provincie, southeastern Netherlands. It lies along the Maas (Meuse) River, near the German border. Chartered in 1343, it joined the Hanseatic League in 1364 and was a medieval fortress and trade centre. Venlo is now the centre of greenhouse market gardening; vegetables are exported to the Rhineland. The municipality also manufactures electric bulbs, optical instruments, and wood products. Heavily damaged in World War II, its buildings have since been restored. Notable medieval buildings include St. Martin's Church and the town hall. Pop. (1987 est.) 63,598.