Linnich is the northernmost and third-largest municipality in the county of Düren. It is located on the River Rur between two major urban centers: Mönchengladbach to the northeast, and Aachen to the southwest. The "Stad van Lynneke" was first mentioned by Duke Wilhelm von Geldern in 1392. The present municipality was created in 1969 as a result of the boundary reform process. It is home to the beverage carton manufacturer SIG Combibloc.