North Rhine–Westphalia | State in Germany, Industry, Economy, Culture (2024)

state, Germany

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Also known as: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Nordrhein-Westfalia

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North Rhine–Westphalia, Land (state) of western Germany. It is bordered by the states of Lower Saxony to the north and northeast, Hessen to the east, and Rhineland-Palatinate to the south and by the countries of Belgium to the southwest and the Netherlands to the west. The state of North Rhine–Westphalia was created in 1946 through the amalgamation of the former Prussian province of Westphalia and the northern portion of the Prussian Rhine province; the former state of Lippe was incorporated in 1947. (See also Lippe; Rhineland; Westphalia.) The principalities that existed until about 1800 in the area are recalled by regional names: Münsterland in the north, Sauerland in the southeast, and Berg in the vicinity of the cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne. The state capital is Düsseldorf.

North Rhine–Westphalia includes the upland regions of North Eifel in the southern part of the state and the mountains of the Sauerland in the southeast. Volcanic rock occurs in the region of the Siebengebirge (“Seven Hills”) on the eastern bank of the Rhine River. In the east the Westerwald—a mountainous region bordering the Weser River—is characterized by several escarpments and by the narrow, elongated ridges of the Teutoburg Forest and some small mountains. The northwest is composed of lowlands that gradually merge with the upland regions on the south and east. Forests predominate in the higher mountain regions, but in the lowlands large forests are generally found only in infertile sandy areas. Forested areas represent almost one-fourth of the state’s total land area. The north-flowing Rhine River, along with its major tributary, the Ruhr, drains the largest physical region of the state. Areas bordering on the west are eventually drained by the Meuse (Maas) River in neighbouring Belgium and the Netherlands. Those on the north are drained by the Ems and those on the northeast by the Weser. Ultimately, the entire drainage system empties into the North Sea.

The state’s proximity to the North Sea (and the Gulf Stream) makes the lowland zones mild in the winter, with mean January temperatures of about 34 °F (1 °C), while July temperatures average about 63 °F (17 °C). Precipitation is often less than 30 inches (762 mm) in the Rhine valley. The mountainous regions, however, are cool and wet.

North Rhine–Westphalia is Germany’s most populous state, and it has many medium-sized and large cities, especially in the Rhine-Ruhr area, which is one of the largest conurbations in Europe. Among them are Aachen, Bochum, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Münster, Solingen, and Wuppertal. The Rhineland-Westphalian boundary—running through the state from northwest to southeast—corresponds to the old border between the Saxons and the Franks and is reflected in variations of dialect of the German language. During the Reformation the principalities in the area were divided between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. These differences still exist; more than half of the total state population is Roman Catholic, but local dominance of either religion often claims more than three-fourths of a region’s inhabitants. These cultural differences are strongest in the rural areas, which account for a relatively small proportion of the state’s population. In urban areas, cultural identity has dissipated as a result of heavy immigration of people from eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean region, and the Netherlands. Living and health standards in the state are very high.

North Rhine–Westphalia plays a leading role in the national economy. The Rhine-Ruhr region—the country’s most important industrial area—runs through the centre of the state and is the principal mining and energy-producing area of Germany. Bituminous coal deposits are located in the regions of the Ruhr and Aachen, and lignite is mined west of Cologne, although many coal mines are no longer productive and have been shut down. Petroleum refineries concentrated in the Ruhr and along the Rhine are connected with the North Sea ports of Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam, Netherlands, by a system of pipelines. The water supply used by the state’s heavy industries and urban inhabitants is maintained by about 60 dams, located mainly in the mountains of the Sauerland, Berg, and North Eifel regions.

Heavy industry has traditionally been the linchpin of the state’s economy. Blast furnaces, steel mills, and rolling mills, using coke from local coal deposits, dot the Ruhr region, mainly in Duisburg and Dortmund. The state’s raw steel production accounts for most of Germany’s production of that metal. Chemicals, textiles, glass, heavy machinery, electrical equipment, precision instruments, and beer are also produced in the Ruhr. In the Berg area, in the southern part of the Rhine-Ruhr region, iron and metallurgical industries and textiles play a leading role. The relatively high costs and decreasing competitiveness of many of the Ruhr’s heavy industries, however, including coal mining and metallurgy, have led to a concerted effort by the region to change both its economic structure and its image. By the early 21st century the state had succeeded in establishing itself as one of Germany’s most important high-technology centres. The state’s service industries are also increasingly highly developed. Many commercial enterprises, trading houses, loan societies, and banks contribute to the state’s economy. (See also Ruhr.)

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Outside of the Ruhr, much of the state’s land is devoted to commercial farms, gardens, or orchards. Wheat and sugar beets are grown in the southern lowlands. In the north, fruits and vegetables are cultivated. In Münsterland and in the regions of the lower Rhine, cattle raising and pig breeding play considerable roles.

The state has federal autobahns, as well as several thousand miles of federal, state, and district roads. It is also well served by high-speed passenger rail service. The Rhine River is one of the world’s most heavily traveled water routes and is the main means of transport for bulk cargo and manufactured goods moving between the Ruhr and the ports on the North Sea. In addition, the 168-mile- (270-km-) long Dortmund-Ems Canal traverses central Münsterland from north to south, providing additional access from the Ruhr region to the North Sea. Duisburg-Ruhrort, at the mouth of the Ruhr River, is the largest inland port in Europe.

North Rhine–Westphalia is governed by a Landtag (parliament) and a prime minister, who is generally a leading member of the parliament’s strongest party. Traditionally, the Social Democratic Party of Germany has dominated the state’s political system, holding power continuously from 1966 to 2005, when it was unseated by the Christian Democratic Union-led coalition government.

There are universities in Aachen, Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, and Münster. North Rhine–Westphalia boasts a number of well-known health resorts and mineral springs, the most famous of which is Aachen. Also of note are Bad Salzuflen, Bad Oeynhausen, Bad Meinberg, and Bad Driburg, all in the hills bordering the Weser River. Eifel National Park, located southwest of Cologne in the North Eifel region, covers some 40 square miles (100 square km) of forest and river valley wilderness. In addition, UNESCO has designated four World Heritage sites in the state: Aachen Cathedral (designated in 1978), a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture whose centrepiece is the Palatine Chapel; Cologne Cathedral (1996), an outstanding example of Gothic architecture; Augustusburg Castle and its neighbour hunting lodge, Falkenlust (1984), in the city of Brühl; and the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex (2001) in Essen, which is a rare example of the adaptation of modern architecture to a strictly industrial site. Area 13,159 square miles (34,082 square km). Pop. (2004 est.) 18,079,686.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by René Ostberg.

North Rhine–Westphalia | State in Germany, Industry, Economy, Culture (2024)

FAQs

North Rhine–Westphalia | State in Germany, Industry, Economy, Culture? ›

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is the most densely populated of Germany's 16 federal states

federal states
A federated state (also state, province, region, canton, land, governorate, oblast, emirate, or country) is a territorial and constitutional community forming part of a federation. A federated state does not have sovereignty since powers are divided between the other federated states and the federal government.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Federated_state
. Thanks to its unique advantages, NRW is also Germany's most important economic region and has been one of the most popular investment locations for foreign companies in Europe for years.

What are the industries in North Rhine-Westphalia? ›

In 2023 the top exports of North Rhine-westphalia were Pharmaceutical products (€12.6B), Chassis, bodies, engines etc. for motor... (€9.34B), Other articles of iron, iron sheet,... (€9.22B), Plastics (€9.08B), and Machinery for electricity production, distribution (€8.64B).

What is North Rhine-Westphalia known for? ›

When you hear North Rhine-Westphalia, you think of Cologne Cathedral, a major landmark in Germany. And of the 'cathedrals of industry' such as Zollverein, a colliery turned World Heritage site. Another feature of North Rhine-Westphalia: the many universities.

What is Westphalia famous for? ›

Westphalia is known for the 1648 Peace of Westphalia which ended the Thirty Years' War, as the two treaties were signed in Münster and Osnabrück.

Why is North Rhine-Westphalia so populated? ›

Reasons for North Rhine-Westphalia

A dense network of waterways, railways and roads provides fast routes to the sales and procurement markets in Europe and the rest of the world. In Duisburg, the world's largest inland port ensures reliable connections to the Belgian and Dutch seaports.

What are the three main industries in Germany? ›

Germany's principal industries include machine building, automobiles, electrical engineering and electronics, chemicals, and food processing.

Why is the Rhine so industrial? ›

The fact that cheap water transport on the Rhine helped to keep prices of raw materials down was the main reason the river became a major axis of industrial production: one-fifth of the world's chemical industries are now manufacturing along the Rhine.

What are the main point of Westphalia? ›

The four main points of the Peace of Westphalia are: recognition of the sovereignty of Swiss Confederacy and Dutch Republic, territorial adjustment among major powers (like Sweden and France), legalisation of the Calvinist faith, and the principle of 'cuius regio, eius religio' granting rulers the choice of religion in ...

Why was the Rhine so important? ›

The Rhine served as a formidable German border during World War II, a defensive barrier to Allied troops. Fighting brought mass destruction of bridges, trains and ships along the Rhine, including the bridge at Arnhem—immortalized in the film, A Bridge Too Far, and at Nijmegen, over a tributary of the Rhine.

What is the history of Westphalia Germany? ›

Along with Eastphalia and Engern, Westphalia (Westfalahi) was originally a district of the Duchy of Saxony. In 1180 Westphalia was elevated to the rank of a duchy by Emperor Barbarossa. The Duchy of Westphalia comprised only a small area south of the Lippe River.

How is Westphalia still influential? ›

Legacy. The Peace of Westphalia established the precedent of peace reached by diplomatic congress and a new system of political order in Europe based upon the concept of co-existing sovereign states. Inter-state aggression was to be held in check by a balance of power.

What is the religion in North Rhine-Westphalia? ›

As a result of the Protestant Reformation, there is no dominant religion in Westphalia. Catholicism and Lutheranism are on relatively equal footing. Lutheranism is strong in the eastern and northern parts with numerous free churches. Münster and especially Paderborn are thought of as Catholic.

What is the politics of North Rhine-Westphalia? ›

The politics of North Rhine-Westphalia takes place within a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic. The two main parties are the Centre-right Christian Democratic Union and the Centre-left Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

What are some interesting facts about North Rhine-Westphalia? ›

Population: North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state in Germany, with over 18 million inhabitants. It is home to several major cities, including Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and Essen. Carnival Celebrations: The state is known for its vibrant carnival celebrations.

How many immigrants are in North Rhine-Westphalia? ›

Share page
Land20232021
Nordrhein-Westfalen3,232,7202,815,800
Rheinland-Pfalz618,370532,230
Saarland160,665134,350
Sachsen351,525244,415
14 more rows

Why has Rhine-Ruhr become a major industrial area? ›

Availability of Natural Resources: The Rhine-Ruhr area had abundant natural resources, particularly coal and iron ore. Coal was essential for powering factories and iron ore was necessary for steel production.

What industries are in Rhine-Ruhr? ›

Rhine-Ruhr, at the center of Germany's industrial heartland, is the historic headquarters of steel, mining and automobile production.

What are 3 industries in the North? ›

Agriculture. Oil & Gas, and Mining. Construction. Manufacturing.

What big companies are in Nordrhein Westfalen? ›

List of the 5 largest companies in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Deutsche Telekom AG, Bonn. Deutsche Telekom was created from Deutsche Bundespost TELEKOM in 1995 – the final step in the privatization of the former state-owned company. ...
  • Deutsche Post AG, Bonn. ...
  • Uniper SE, Düsseldorf. ...
  • Bayer AG, Leverkusen. ...
  • thyssenkrupp AG, Essen.

Why is the Rhine-Ruhr area a major industrial area? ›

Expert-Verified Answer. It has major iron and coal deposits best explains why the Rhine-Ruhr area became a major industrial area Thus, option B is correct.

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