Enschede, city in the eastern Netherlands, in Overijssel Province, near the border with Germany. Canals, roads, and trains link the city with the rest of the Netherlands and with Germany. Enschede is noted as a center for the manufacture of cotton textiles. Also produced here are clothing and metal and rubber products. Twente University of Technology (1961) is in the city. Completely destroyed by fire in 1862, Enschede was totally rebuilt. It was occupied by the Germans in World War II (1939-1945). Population (2000) 149,544.
