With 590,000 residents, Dortmund is the largest city in the Ruhr area and the 7th largest in Germany. While the city is best known for its 100-year tradition of coal mining and steel milling, it has successfully maintained its reputation as a green city, with nearly half of the municipal territory consisting of waterways, woodland, farmland and parks such as Westfalenpark and the Rombergpark.

The crisis of the coal and steel industries meant that Dortmund had to refocus on high-tech industries such as logistics, telecommunications and media. To enhance the technology transfer between companies and the 30 institutes for scientific research in Dortmund, the TechnologieZentrumDortmund was founded in 1985.

Dortmund also has a lively and versatile cultural life, with 11 independent cultural centers and numerous museums and venues. It is worth noting that the Love Parade will be held in Dortmund in 2008. And if you have the chance, you should take in a football match with Borussia Dortmund, one of the top European teams and six-time winner of the German national cup.

For more information, please visit the official website at: www.dortmund.de