Information about NRW

North Rhine-Westphalia -  located in the very heart of Europe – is the most populous state in the Federal Republic of Germany. Over 18 million people live in an area of around 34,000 square kilometers – more than in the whole of the neighboring Netherlands. North Rhine-Westphalia is a modern industry "Land", a flourishing service center and also a huge sales market. Every third citizen of the European Union lives within a radius of 500 kilometers.

In the year 2007 North Rhine-Westphalia’s people generated a gross domestic product (GDP) of more than 529.8 billion EUR, including 174.1 billion EUR in exports. A solid and highly developed infrastructure, a thriving and innovative research landscape, and a culturally rich and creative environment lay the ground for the sustained success of North Rhine-Westphalia.

North Rhine-Westphalia is the state with the most tertiary institutes and academic centers in the heart of Europe. Some 58 universities, applied science universities, fine arts and music colleges create an attractive environment for world class research and higher education.

North Rhine-Westphalia is a liberal, cosmopolitan state, offering social services and a secure, enviable lifestyle. Integration of people from other cultures is one of the great challenges of today. The "Land" has a long and healthy tradition of integration. North Rhine-Westphalia has become home to countless people of different origins and cultures.