Discover Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia is located in western Germany and borders the Netherlands and Belgium to the west. To the north, the federal state borders Lower Saxony, while Hesse lies to the east and Rhineland-Palatinate to the south. The landscape is highly diverse. The western and northern parts are predominantly flat, while the south and east are characterized by hills and low mountain ranges. Well-known landscapes include the Münsterland, Bergisches Land, Sauerland, Eifel and Siebengebirge. The Rhine flows through the federal state from south to north and strongly shapes the landscape and the cities along its course. The Ruhr region is a densely populated area characterized by numerous cities, transport routes and former industrial sites. Many of these areas have since been transformed into parks and new cultural and recreational spaces.

North Rhine-Westphalia was established after the Second World War. The federal state was founded in 1946 under British occupation. The former regions of North Rhine and Westphalia were initially combined to form the new federal state. However, the history of its individual regions goes back much further. Cologne became an important city as early as Roman times. Aachen became an important political and cultural center under Charlemagne. The region was transformed particularly strongly by industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries. Large quantities of hard coal were mined in the Ruhr region, while steel production became a major industry. This led to the growth of numerous industrial cities and created many jobs. Since the decline of coal mining and traditional heavy industry, the Ruhr region has undergone major structural change. Former industrial sites are now partly used for culture, education, recreation and tourism.

North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's most populous federal state. A particularly large share of its population lives in the Rhine-Ruhr region, where many major cities are located close to one another. Cologne is the largest city in the federal state and is particularly known for Cologne Cathedral and its location on the Rhine. Düsseldorf is the state capital and an important center for business, media, fashion and international companies. The Ruhr region includes cities such as Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, Bochum and Gelsenkirchen. These cities were strongly shaped by the former coal-mining and steel industries. Other important cities include Bonn, Münster, Aachen, Bielefeld, Wuppertal and Mönchengladbach. Bonn served as the seat of government of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1990 and is now, among other things, an important location for international organizations.

North Rhine-Westphalia has a highly diverse economic structure. The federal state is particularly strong in industry, services, trade, logistics, chemicals, mechanical engineering and energy. The Ruhr region was one of Europe's most important centers for coal and steel for many decades. Today, its economic structure has changed significantly. Alongside modern industry, services, research, universities, technology and culture now play a greater role.

Düsseldorf is one of the federal state's most important business locations and is known, among other things, for international companies, banks, insurance companies, trade and trade fairs. Cologne also has a diverse economy and is particularly important for media, television, insurance and services. Duisburg is home to the Port of Duisburg, one of the largest inland ports in Europe. Its location on the Rhine makes the city an important center for logistics and freight transport.

Despite its large cities, North Rhine-Westphalia has numerous natural and recreational areas. Particularly in the south and east of the federal state, there are extensive forests, valleys, lakes and low mountain ranges. Eifel National Park is one of the most important protected natural areas in the state. It includes large forest areas, streams, lakes and open landscapes and provides habitats for many species of plants and animals. The Sauerland is also known for its forests, mountains and reservoirs. The region is a popular destination for hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities. Münsterland, by contrast, has a predominantly flat landscape with fields, meadows, small forests and numerous cycling routes. The region is also characterized by its many moated castles and palaces.

North Rhine-Westphalia has an especially diverse cultural landscape with historic buildings, museums, palaces, castles and former industrial sites. One of the best-known attractions is Cologne Cathedral. The magnificent Gothic cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the most important landmark of Cologne. Aachen is home to Aachen Cathedral, which is closely associated with Charlemagne. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important historic buildings in the state. A remarkable example of the region's industrial heritage is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen. The former coal mine and coking plant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now an important cultural and visitor center. Other well-known attractions include Augustusburg Palace and Falkenlust Palace in Brühl, which are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Bonn, numerous buildings and museums recall the political history of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Wuppertal Suspension Railway is another distinctive attraction. The railway runs on an elevated track above the Wupper River and has been a landmark of the city for more than a century. North Rhine-Westphalia is also famous for its carnival. Cologne and Düsseldorf are among Germany's most important carnival cities. In addition to the major cities, many regions have their own festivals, traditions and cultural events.