The Ems is a river in north-west Germany and the Netherlands, rising in North Rhine-Westphalia and emptying into the North Sea. The river extends for a length of about 365.61 km | 226.68 mi and traverses diverse landscapes including hilly regions, floodplains and marshlands. The Ems has significant historical and economic importance as it was used as a waterway to transport goods. It runs through cities such as Paderborn, Münster, Rheine and Emden. The mouth of the Ems forms an important natural harbor frequented by large ships. Due to silt deposits and flooding, various measures have been taken over time to improve navigation and flood control. The Ems is also ecologically relevant as it provides habitat for various animal and plant species.