Cologne (Kln): Germany
Cologne is, in terms of population, the fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is one of the most important German inland ports, and considered the economic, cultural, and historic capital of the Rhineland. It is the 16th largest city in the European Union. At the end of 2003, Cologne’s population was 965,954, using the standard method of counting only those whose primary residence (German: Hauptwohnsitz) was the city. The city of Cologne adds those with non-primary residences (German: Nebenwohnsitz), raising the figure to 1,020,603.
Its location at the intersection of the Rhine (German Rhein) river with one of the major trade routes between eastern and western Europe was the foundation of Cologne’s commercial importance. In the Middle Ages it also became an ecclesiastical center of significance and an important center of art and learning. Cologne was badly damaged during World War II.
Related Travel Information
Bergisch Gladbach: Germany
Bergisch Gladbach is a city in the Bergisches Land in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, located east of Cologne.
It was founded in 1856. The population is about 108,000 people.
Don’t let the name of this city fool you: “Berg” means mountain in English, but there are no mountains in Bergisch Gladbach. The word “Bergisch” in its name originates from the Earls of Berg, who settled there in the 12th century. This city in Nordrhine-Westfalen, which incorporated Bensberg in 1975, is the seat of administration for the Rhinish-Bergisch district and is situated on the eastern coast of the Bay of Cologne.
Bonn: Germany
Bonn is a city in Germany (Population (2004 est): 313,605 ; the 19th largest city in Germany), in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, located about 20 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine. It was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990. From 1288 to 1803 it was the residence of the Archbishops and prince-electors of Cologne.
History of Bonn
The history of the city dates back to Roman times. About 10 BC the Romans constructed a bridge across the Rhine close to a place called "Bonna". After the Roman defeat in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Leverkusen: Germany
Leverkusen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the eastern bank of the Rhine, half way between Cologne and Düsseldorf. Population: 162,300 (1999).
The city of Leverkusen is a product of economic growth in the Rhine-Ruhr region. It was rural area until the late 19th century. The present city is made up of several villages, originally called Wiesdorf, Opladen, Schlebusch, Steinbüchel, Rheindorf and Bergisch-Neukirchen. Wiesdorf, dating back to the 12th century, was chosen by the apothecary Carl Leverkus for establishing a dye factory in 1860. The factory was taken over by the Bayer company in 1891.
Krefeld: Germany
Krefeld is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located southwest of the Ruhr area, just a few kilometres to the west of the River Rhine. (The borough of Uerdingen is situated directly on the Rhine.) Population: 238,100. The city was known as Crefeld until 1900. It is accessed by A57 (Cologne - Nimwegen) and the A44 (Aachen - Dusseldorf - Dortmund - Kassel)
The origins of the town were in Roman times, when the legions founded the military camp of Gelduba (today the borough of Gellep). Krefeld itself was first mentioned in 1105 under the name of Krinvelde.
Siegen: Germany
Siegen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the district Siegen-Wittgenstein. As of December 31, 2003 it has a population of 106,143.
Twinned cities:
Berlin-Spandau, Germany, since 1952
Rijnsburg, the Netherlands, since 1963
Leeds, since 1966
Ypres, Belgium, since 1967
Zakopane, Poland, since 1989
Plauen, Saxony, Germany, since 1990
