North Rhine-Westphalia

Walsum Power Plant in North Rhine-Westphalia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duisburg_Alsumer_Berg_2.jpg
Author: Arnoldius


North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous, the most industrialized and most economically powerful state of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located on the western part of the country, covering an area of 34,084 sq km (13,160 sq mi). Also known as Nordrhein-Westfalen in German, North Rhine-Westphalia is bordered by Lower Saxony to the north, Hesse to the southeast, Rhineland-Palatinate to the south, Belgium to the southwest and the Netherlands to the northwest.

St Pantaleon Church, Cologne
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Pantaleon_Innen.jpg
Author: Raimond Spekking


North Rhine-Westphalia has a population of 17.8 million people (2011 estimate). Thirty of the eighty biggest cities of Germany are all located in this state. The state capital is Düsseldorf while the biggest city is Cologne.

As its name suggests, North Rhine-Westphalia comprises two parts, the northern Rhineland and Westphalia. Both areas have a history going back to Roman, and perhaps even Celtic times. The province of Westphalia and the whole of Rhineland was under Prussia following the Congress of Vienna of 1815. After the Second World War, they were occupied by British forces. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia was established by the British on 23 August 1946. A few months later, the former state of Lippe was also added to North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Schwebebahn in Wuppertal
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wuppertal-090619-8546-Schwebebahn-Vohwinkel.jpg
Author: Mbdortmund


North Rhine-Westphalia is composed of two areas: Rhineland and Westphalia-Lippe. Within the Rhineland area are the districts (Regierungsbezirke) of Düsseldorf and Köln. Within the Westphalia-Lippe are Arnsberg, Detmold and Münster.

There are a number of rivers flowing through North Rhine-Westphalia. The most important is the Rhine. Other major rivers include the Ruhr, the Ems, the Lippe and the Weser. The state has also the shortest river in Germany, the Pader, which flows entirely within the city of Paderborn.

Cutting-edge architecture of Neuer Zollhof in Düsseldorf
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duesseldorf_1953.JPG
Author: Mbdortmund

Visiting North Rhine-Westphalia

The Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) is the third largest airport in Germany. Located 15 km from the Düsseldorf Railway Station, it serves the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Arriving at this airport, you can take the subway train S7 or S11 to reach the main railway station. Buses are also available for the same journey. The fare is the same, €2.20. Taxis are also available from €20.

Low cost carriers fly to Weeze Airport (NRN), which is 80 km from Düsseldorf. There are buses from the airport to the main railway station. The fare is €14.

Cities in North Rhine-Westphalia

World Heritage Sites in North Rhine-Westphalia

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