Dortmund is a city in Germany, located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Its population of 587,830 (20 June 2005) makes it the largest city in the region, 7th-largest in Germany, and 34th-largest in the European Union. The Ruhr river flows south of the city, and the small river Emscher flows through the municipal area. The Dortmund-Ems Canal also terminates in the Dortmund Port, which is the largest European canal port, and links Dortmund to the North Sea. Dortmund is known as Westphalia's 'green metropolis'. Nearly half the municipal territory consists of waterways, woodland, agriculture and green spaces with spacious parks such as Westfalenpark and the Rombergpark. This contrasts with nearly a hundred years of extensive coal mining and steel milling within the city limits.
Fascinating industrial heritage, a variety of museums, countless cabaret and drama theatres, many different styles of restaurant, top events in the famous Westfalenhallen complex- the list goes on. Local people are happy to share their city with visitors, including their favourite leisure activity: a Borussia Dortmund match at the Westphalia Stadium.
Westphalia Stadium, home of the Borussia Dortmund football club and its thousands of fans. A perfect blend of thrills and relaxation: the pretty woods and parkland around Hohensyburg castle with panoramic views across the Ruhr and Lennetal valleys from the Kaiser Wilhelm monument, and the Hohensyburg casino. The four churches in the city centre are reminders that Dortmund has a history stretching back more than 1,000 years.
Dortmund has been built around the Ruhr River, which has largely shaped the way in which this city has developed, over the years. As well as the river, Dortmund is also home to the largest European canal port which links the city with the North Sea. The city dates back to 100 AD, but at that time it was nothing more than a small village. It wasn’t until 1220 that Dortmund became a city and a century later the name ‘Dorpmunde’ was adopted. Today, the city is going from strength to strength and is widely recognised as a centre for all the main hi-tech industries.
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