Cologne (Köln): Germany

Cologne (Köln): 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.
Cologne has one university, which has around 49,000 students (autumn semester 2004/2005) and is renowned for its economics faculty. Cologne also has a Roman Catholic archbishopric. Cologne cathedral (German Kölner Dom), a Gothic church, was designated a World Heritage site in 1996; it is the city’s major landmark and unofficial symbol. The city is 43% Roman Catholic, 18% Protestant and 39% other religions. Until World War II and the following stream of refugees arriving from eastern Germany, Roman Catholicism had a wide majority in Cologne.
Cologne has 31 museums. In addition to the university, it has 3 colleges. Fachhochschule Köln (The University of Applied Sciences of Cologne) is, with 18,000 students, the biggest college in Germany. A total of 65,000 students study in Cologne.
20% of Cologne’s population is non-German. 40% of these are Turkish.
Cologne is well known for its beer, called “Kölsch�. Kölsch is also the dialect of Cologne. It is jocularly said that Kölsch is the only language you can drink.
This year, Cologne will be witness to one of the largest meetings of the Catholic youth. The XX World Youth Day will take place from Monday, August 15, until Sunday, August 21.
City Partnerships
Liverpool (England), since 1952
Esch-sur-Alzette (Grandduchy of Luxembourg), since 1958
Lille (France), since 1958
Lüttich (Belgium), since 1958
Rotterdam (Netherlands), since 1958
Turin (Italy), since 1958
Kyoto (Japan), since 1963
Tunis (Tunisia), since 1964
Turku (Finland), since 1967
Neukölln (Berlin), since 1967
Klausenburg (Romania), since 1976
Tel Aviv-Jaffa (Israel), since 1979
Barcelona (Spain), since 1984
Peking (People’s Republic of China), since 1987
Thessaloniki (Greece), since 1988
Cork (Ireland), since 1988
Corinto / El Realejo (Nicaragua), since 1988
Indianapolis (USA), since 1988
Volgograd (Russia), since 1988
Treptow-Köpenick (Berlin), since 1990
Katowice (Poland), since 1991
Bethlehem (Palestine), since 1996
Ä°stanbul (Turkey), since 1997
Buildings and places of interest in Cologne – In 310 Constantine builds a bridge over the Rhine at Cologne. – Cologne cathedral (der Kölner Dom) is the city’s famous landmark. – University of Cologne – Hohe Strasse (“High Street�) is one of the main shopping areas and extends past the cathedral in an approximately southern direction. This street is particularly popular with tourists and contains many giftshops, clothing stores, restaurants and electronic goods handlers. – Fragrance-Museum Farina House, the birthplace of Eau de Cologne – Wallraf-Richartz Museum – Museum Ludwig – Römisch-Germanisches Museum – Ford Motor Company plants, assembling the Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion as well as manufacturing engines and parts. – Kölnarena, a multifunctional stadium, home to the local ice hockey team, the Cologne Sharks – Colonius – a telecommunication tower with an observation deck – Colonia-Hochhaus – German’s tallest building, in which people live – Rheinseilbahn – an aerial tramway crossing the Rhine – Fair Tower Cologne