North Rhine-Westphalia, with its state capital Düsseldorf, is the most densely populated federal state in Germany. As well as being a leading industrial region, an important international economic centre and a modern centre of technology, it is also a major base for culture and the media. With iron and steel, and companies like Thyssen and Krupp, Germany's economic success story was forged here, bringing work and wealth to thousands. Once the centre of the German mining industry, the Ruhr area is now renowned for its fantastic cultural scene. Today, its converted industrial sites are home to a variety of art, culture, sports and entertainment.

The regions of North Rhine-Westphalia could hardly be more diverse: They include the cycling paradise of Münsterland with its many castles and palaces, the Sauerland and Bergisches Land regions with their enchanting highland scenery, the Ruhr area in its transition from industry to science and culture, and the romantic Lower Rhine.

North Rhine-Westphalia has a whole host of interesting towns and cities to visit. Of these, Cologne and Düsseldorf are probably the most famous. Not only do these two cities offer a fantastic cultural scene, trade fair facilities and shops, they are also strongholds of the German carnival. Other places well worth a visit include Wuppertal with its elevated monorail, the university city of Münster, towns and cities in the Ruhr region, and, last but not least, the former capital of West Germany, Bonn.

North Rhine-Westphalia is mainly known for its industrial past. But this federal state also has a remarkable wealth of natural scenery, from the flat Münsterland region and highland areas such as the Sauerland to the volcanic Eifel region and the Lower Rhine. Even the Ruhr region itself has some places that are sure to appeal to any nature lover.