gemeente (municipality), east-central Netherlands (Netherlands, The). It lies between the IJssel River and the Veluwe hills, along the road from Arnhem to Zutphen. Rheden encompasses the villages of Velp, Rheden, De Steeg, Ellecom, Dieren, Spankeren, and Laag Soeren. In the locality are several medieval churches, the 16th-century castles of Biljoen (Velp) and Middachten (De Steeg), and the 12th-century Gelderse Tower. The villages are primarily residential, with some light manufacturing. Tourism is important; much of the municipality is in the Veluwezoom National Park. Pop. (2007 est.) 43,950.