North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) is the most populous of Germany's 16 federal states, home to nearly 18 million people. Located in western Germany, it encompasses the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, one of Europe's largest urban areas. The state is known for its industrial heritage, particularly coal mining and steel production in the Ruhr area, though it has successfully transitioned to a modern service and technology economy. Major cities include Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, and the state capital Düsseldorf. The region is rich in cultural institutions, universities, and historical sites.