Alpen is situated in the Lower Rhine region, located between the Ruhr area and the border with the Netherlands.

The municipality consists of 4 districts: Alpen was mentioned documentarily for the first time in 1074.

There is also a train, the RB31 from Duisburg Hbf (direction Xanten) every hour which stops at Alpen.

The municipality of Alpen maintains a Volunteer Fire Department consisting three firehouses with about 105 active firefighter and 14 vehicles.

Crime protection is provided by the state Police of North Rhine-Westphalia with stations in Rheinberg, Xanten and Kamp-Lintfort.