Essen 173973 225004187 2008-07-11T12:20:46Z MER-C 1749459 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/84.233.252.147|84.233.252.147]] ([[User talk:84.233.252.147|talk]]) to last version by 81.173.147.5 :''This article is about the city in Germany. For other places with the same name, see [[Essen (disambiguation)]]''. {{Infobox German Location |Art = city |image_photo = Essen_pan.jpg |image_caption = View over the center of Essen from the "Tetraeder" landmark in [[Bottrop]]. In the background the ''[[Ruhr]] Heights''. |Wappen = Wappen_Stadt_Essen_DE.svg |lat_deg = 51 | lat_min = 27 | lat_sec = 3 |lon_deg = 7 | lon_min = 0 | lon_sec = 47 |Bundesland = North Rhine-Westphalia |Regierungsbezirk = [[Düsseldorf (region)|Düsseldorf]] |Kreis = urban |Höhe = 116 |Fläche = 210.32 |Einwohner = 581406 |pop_ref = <ref>http://www.essen.de/deutsch/Rathaus/Statistik/Einwohner_2006.pdf</ref> |Stand = 2007-03-31 |pop_metro = 5.302.179 |pop_metro_date = 2004-12-31 |PLZ = 45001-45359 |PLZ-alt = 4300 |Vorwahl = 0201, 02054 ([[Essen-Kettwig|Kettwig]]) |Kfz = E |Gemeindeschlüssel = 05 1 13 000 |NUTS = DEA13 |LOCODE = DE ESS |Gliederung = 9 districts, 50 boroughs |Website = [http://www.essen.de/ www.essen.de] |Bürgermeister = Dr. Wolfgang Reiniger |Bürgermeistertitel = Oberbürgermeister |Partei = CDU |ruling_party1 = CDU |ruling_party2 = Green }} '''Essen''' ({{pronounced|ˈɛsən}}) is a [[city]] in the center of the [[Ruhr Area]] in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], [[Germany]]. Located on the [[Ruhr]] River, its population of approximately 582,000 (as of December 31, 2006) makes it the 7th- or 8th-largest city in Germany. The city was recently appointed [[European Capital of Culture]] for 2010 representing the whole Ruhr Area. Formerly one of Germany's most important coal and steel centers and historically linked to the centuries-old [[Krupp]] family iron works, the city has developed a strong [[tertiary sector of industry]] and is nowadays (sometimes together with nearby [[Düsseldorf]]) known as the "desk of the Ruhr area"<ref>http://www.essen.de/Dokumente/Download%20Bau-%20und%20Immobilienwirtschaft%20deutsch_2006.pdf ("Schreibtisch des Ruhrgebiets")</ref>. It is home to 13 of the 100 largest German [[corporations]] and seat to several of the region's authorities. The city was chosen in 1958 to serve as the seat of a Roman-Catholic [[diocese]], the Diocese of Essen (''Ruhrbistum''). In early 2003, the universities of Essen and its neighboring city of [[University of Duisburg|Duisburg]] (both established in 1972) were merged into the [[University of Duisburg-Essen]] with campuses in both cities and a [[university hospital]] in Essen. == Geography == === Location, neighboring communes and general geography === <!-- Please do not change the alignment of the column content since they seem to effectively reflect the geographic positions. --> {| border="0" align="right" width="400px" |----- | width ="25%" align="right" valign="bottom" | [[Image:Stadtwappen der kreisfreien Stadt Oberhausen.png|20px]]<br/>[[Oberhausen]] | width ="10%" align="center" valign="bottom" | [[Image:Wappen Stadt Bottrop DE.svg|20px]]<br/>[[Bottrop]] | width ="15%" align="left" valign="bottom" | [[Image:Gladbeck, Germany COA.png|20px]]<br/>[[Gladbeck]]<sup>1</sup> | width ="25%" align="left" valign="bottom" | [[Image:Stadtwappen der kreisfreien Stadt Gelsenkirchen.png|20px]]<br/>[[Gelsenkirchen]] |----- | width ="25%" align="right" | [[Image:Wappen Mülheim an der Ruhr.jpg|20px]]<br/>[[Mülheim|Mülheim an der Ruhr]] | width ="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Essen Stadtteile und Stadtbezirke.svg|100px|center|Map of the Districts and Boroughs of Essen]] Essen<br/><small>(Map of districts and boroughs)</small> | width ="25%" align="left" | [[Image:Stadtwappen der kreisfreien Stadt Bochum.png|20px]]<br/>[[Bochum]] |----- | width ="25%" align="right" valign="top" | [[Image:Wappen Ratingen.png|20px]]<br/>[[Ratingen]]² | width ="25%" align="right" valign="top" | [[Image:Wappen Heiligenhaus.jpg|20px]]<br/>[[Heiligenhaus]]² | width ="25%" align="center" valign="top" | [[Image:Wappen von Velbert.jpg|20px]]<br/>[[Velbert]]² | width ="25%" align="left" valign="top" | [[Image:Wappen Hattingen.png|20px]]<br/>[[Hattingen]]³ |----- | width ="100%" align="right" colspan="4" | <small>1 [[Recklinghausen (district)|Recklinghausen district]]<br />2 [[Mettmann (district)|Mettmann district]]<br />3 [[Ennepe-Ruhr|Ennepe-Ruhr district]]</small> |} Essen is located in the center of the [[Ruhr Area]], one of the largest [[urban area]]s in Europe (see also: [[megalopolis (city type)|megalopolis]]), comprising 11 [[independent city|independent cities]] and 4 [[district]]s with some 5.3 million inhabitants. The city limits of Essen herself are {{convert|87|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and border to 10 cities, 5 of them independent and 5 ''kreisangehörig'' (i.e., belonging to a district), with a total population of approximately 1.4 million. The city extends over {{convert|21|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south and {{convert|17|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from west to east, mainly north of the [[Ruhr]] River, which forms the ''Lake Baldeney'' [[reservoir]] in the boroughs of Fischlaken, Kupferdreh, Heisingen and [[Essen-Werden|Werden]]. The lake, a popular recreational area, dates from 1931 - 1933, when some thousands of unemployed coal miners dredged it with primitive tools for the [[Reichsarbeitsdienst]]. Generally, large areas south of the Ruhr river (including the suburbs of Schuir and [[Essen-Kettwig|Kettwig]]) are quite green and are often used as examples for rural structures in the otherwise relatively densely populated central Ruhr Area. The lowest point can be found in the Northern borough of Karnap at {{convert|26.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}, the highest point in the borough of Heidhausen ({{convert|202.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=/}}). The average elevation is {{convert|116|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. [[Image:Kettwig.jpg|thumb|270px|right|Despite its industrial history, Essen is generally regarded as one of Germany's greenest cities. The picture shows the borough of [[Kettwig]], incorporated in 1975.]] === City districts === Essen is subdivided into nine suburban districts, called [[Stadtbezirk|Stadtbezirke]]. Each Stadtbezirk has a local body (of nineteen members each) that has limited authority. Stadtbezirke have names that are often derived from the boroughs they comprise. Additionally, Stadtbezirke are assigned [[Roman numerals]]. Essen has a total of fifty boroughs, most of which have originally been independent municipalities but were gradually incorporated from 1901 - 1975. The long-lasting process of city growth incorporation has led to a strong identification of the population with "their" boroughs and to a rare peculiarity: The borough of [[Kettwig]], located south of the Ruhr river, and which was not incorporated until 1975, has its own [[Telephone numbering plan|area code]]. Additionally (allegedly due to relatively high church tax incomes), the Archbishop of Cologne managed to keep Kettwig direct subject to the [[Archbishopric of Cologne]], whereas all other boroughs of Essen and some neighboring cities constitute the Diocese of Essen. === Climate === [[Image:Klimadiagramm-Essen-Deutschland-metrisch-deutsch.png|thumb|left|Climatic Diagram of Essen<ref>Geoklima 2.1</ref>]] The average temperature is {{convert|9.6|C|F|0|lk=on}}, the average annual precipitation {{convert|829|mm|in|0}}. The coldest month of the year is January, when the average temperature is {{convert|1.5|C|F|0|}}. The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of {{convert|17.5|C|F|0|}}. Most rain falls in August with {{convert|90|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}. <br style="clear:both"> == History == [[Image:Essen-Kupferstich-Merian.png|thumb|300px|Essen on an engraving from 1647]] === Origin of the name === Throughout the centuries, the name of the city changed continuously. The eldest known form is ''Asnithi'', which changed to Essen over e.g. Astnidum, Assinde, Essendia and Esnede. The name Asnithi may have either referred to a region where many [[Ash tree]]s were found or to a region in the East (of the [[Frankish Empire]]), though both translations are still disputed. The connection between the city name and the German word ''Esse'' ([[Old High German]] for fireplace) may be drawn because of the industrial history of the city, but is highly unlikely since the old forms of the city name originate from times before industrialization. What is safe to say, however, is that Essen does not refer to the act of [[eating]] (also ''Essen'' in [[German language|German]]). === Early history === The oldest archaeological finds date back to 280,000 B.C. (''Vogelheimer Klinge'', named after the borough of Vogelheim in the northern part of the town). Other finds date to between 120,000 and 10,000 years old. Essen was part of the settlement areas of multiple Germanic peoples ([[Chatti]], [[Bructeri]], [[Marsi (Germanic)|Marsi]]), although a clear distinction among these groupings is difficult. The ''Alteburg'' castle in the South of Essen dates back to [[Celts|Celtic]] times (around 0), the ''Herrenburg'' to the 8th century. === 8-12<sup>th</sup> century === [[Image:Münster Essen Westwerk 20060326.jpg|thumb|left|The west work of Essen Cathedral]] Around 845, Saint [[Altfrid]] (''around 800'' - ''874''), the later [[Bishopric of Hildesheim|Bishop of Hildesheim]], founded a monastery for women (''coenobium Astnide'') in the center of present-day Essen. The first abbess of the monastery was Altfrid's relative Gerswit (see also: [[Essen Abbey]]). In 799, [[Liudger|Saint Liudger]] had already founded [[Benedictine Order|Benedictine]] [[Werden Abbey]] on his own ground a few kilometers south. The region was sparsely populated with only a few [[smallholding]]s and an old and probably abandoned castle. Whereas Werden Abbey sought to support Liudger's missionary work in the [[Harz]] region ([[Helmstedt]]/[[Halberstadt]]), the monastery ought to care for women of the higher [[Saxons|Saxon]] nobility. The monastery was not a monastery in the ordinary sense, but rather intended as residence and educational institution for daughters and widows of the higher nobility; led by an abbess, all members but the abbess herself were not obliged to take vows of chastity. Around 852, construction of the collegiate church of the monastery began, to be completed in 870. A major fire in 946 heavily damaged both the church and the settlement. The church was rebuilt, expanded considerably and is the foundation of the present Essen Cathedral. The first documented mention of Essen dates back to 898, when [[Zwentibold]], King of [[Lotharingia]], willed territory on the Western bank of the [[Rhine|Rhine River]] to the monastery. Another document, describing the foundation of the monastery and allegedly dating back to 870, is now considered an 11<sup>th</sup> century forge. In 971, Mathilde II, granddaughter of Emperor [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]], took lead of the abbey. She was to become the most important of all abbesses in the history of Essen, reigned over 40 years, and endowed the abbey's treasury with invaluable objects such as the oldest preserved seven branched candelabrum, and the [[Golden Madonna of Essen]], the oldest known [[Madonna (art)|sculpture of the Virgin Mary]] in the world. Mathilde was succeeded by other women related to the [[Ottonian]] emperors: Sophia, daughter of [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] and sister of [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]], and Teophanu, granddaughter of Otto II. It was under the reign of Teophanu when Essen, which had been called a ''city'' since 1003, received its right to hold markets in 1041. Ten years later, she had the eastern part of Essen Abbey constructed, with a crypt with the burial lairs of St. Altfrid, Mathilde II and Teophanu herself. === 13-17<sup>th</sup> century === In 1216, the monastery, which had only been an important landowner until then, gained the status of a [[prince]] residence when Emperor [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] called abbess Elisabeth I ''Reichsfürstin'' (''Princess of the Empire'') in an official letter. 28 years later, in 1244, Essen received its town charter and seal when [[Konrad von Hochstaden]], the [[Archbishop of Cologne]], marched into the city and erected a city wall together with the population. This proved a temporary emancipation of the population of the city over the princes abbesses, but would only last until 1290. That year, King [[Rudolph I of Germany|Rudolph I]] reassured the princess abbesses full sovereignty over the city; much to the dismay of the population of the growing city who called for self-administration and [[Reichsunmittelbarkeit]]. The title [[Free Imperial City]] was finally granted by Emperor [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]] in 1377, who in 1372 had paradoxically already underlined Rudolph I's decision from 1290 and hence left both abbey and city with imperial favor. Disputes between the city and the abbey about the supremacy over the region remained common until the abbey's dissolution in 1803. Many lawsuits were filed at the [[Reichskammergericht]], one of them lasting almost 200 years. The final decision of the court in 1670 was that the city had to be ''duly obedient in do's and don't s'' to the abbesses but could maintain its old rights - a decision that did not really solve any of the problems. In 1563, the city council, with its self-conception as the only legitimate ruler over Essen, introduced the [[Protestant Reformation]]. The Catholic abbey had no troops to counter this development. === Thirty Years' War === During the [[Thirty Years' War]], the Protestant city and the Catholic abbey opposed each other. In 1623, princess abbess ''Maria Clara von Spaur, Pflaum und Valör'' managed to direct Catholic Spaniards against the city, in order to initiate a [[counter-reformation]]. In 1624, a "re-catholization law" was passed and churchgoing was strictly controlled. In 1628, the city council filed against this at the Reichskammergericht. Maria had to flee to Cologne when the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] stormed the city in 1629. She returned in the summer of 1631 following the [[Bavarians]] under [[Gottfried Heinrich Graf zu Pappenheim]], only to leave again in September. She died 1644 in Cologne. The war proved a severe strike for the city, with frequent arrests, kidnapping and rape. Even after the [[Peace of Westphalia]] from 1648, troops remained in the city until September 9, 1650. === Industrialization === [[Image:Drei Ringe von Krupp.jpg|thumb|150px|The three rings of Krupp]] The first historic evidences of the important mining tradition in Essen date back to the 14<sup>th</sup> century, when the princess abbess was granted mining rights. The first silver mine opened in 1354, but the indisputably more important coal was not mentioned until 1371, and coal mining only began in 1450. At the end of the 16<sup>th</sup>, many coal mines had opened in Essen and the city earned a name as a center of the weapon industry. Around 1570, gunsmiths made high profits and in 1620, they produced 14,000 rifles and pistols a year. The city became more and more strategically important. Particular importance gained the factories of the [[Krupp]] family. Resident in Essen since the 16<sup>th</sup> century, Essen and the Krupp dynasty were of particular influence for each other. In 1811, [[Friedrich Krupp]] founded Germany's first cast steel factory in Essen and laid the cornerstone for what was to be the largest enterprise in Europe for a couple of decades. The weapon factories in Essen became so important that a sign vis-à-vis the [[Essen Hauptbahnhof|main station]] welcomed visitors to the ''Armory of the [[Third Reich|Reich]]'' during [[World War II]]. The Krupp works also were the main reason for the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Essen_Bevoelkerungsentwicklung_01_KMJ.png large population growth] since the mid-19<sup>th</sup> century - Essen became a [[City#Germany|Großstadt]] in 1896. Other industrialists, such as Friedrich Grillo, who in 1892 donated the ''Grillo [[Theater]]'' to the city, also played a major role in the shaping of the city and the [[Ruhr|Ruhr region]] in the late 19<sup>th</sup>/early 20<sup>th</sup> century. Although no weaponry is produced in Essen anymore, the old industrial enterprises such as [[ThyssenKrupp|Krupp]] and [[RWE]] remain large employers in the city. Foundations such as the ''Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung'' still promote the well-being of the city, e.g. with a hospital and the spending of €55 Million for a new building for the ''Museum Folkwang'', one of the Ruhr Area's major art exhibitions. [[Krupp|See the article about the Krupp family for more information about the industrialization in Essen.]] == Politics == [[Image:Muenster Rathaus Essen.jpg|thumb|Old and new government seats: Essen Cathedral (front) and the city hall (background)]] === Historical development === The administration of Essen had for a long time been in the hands of the [[princess-abbess]]es as heads of the [[Imperial Abbey]] of [[Essen Abbey|Essen]]. However, from the [[14th century]] onward, the [[city council]] increasingly grew in importance. In 1335, it started choosing two [[burgomaster]]s, one of whom was placed in charge of the treasury. In 1377, Essen was granted [[Reichsunmittelbarkeit]] <ref>[http://www.essen.de/Deutsch/Leben/StelltSichVor/Geschichte8_16.asp History of Essen (in German)]</ref> but had to abandon this privilege later on. Between the early 15th and 20th centuries, the political system of Essen underwent several changes, most importantly the introduction of the [[Protestant Reformation]] in 1563, the [[annexation]] of 1802 by [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]], and the subsequent [[secularization]] of the principality in 1803. The territory was made part of the Prussian [[Province of Jülich-Cleves-Berg]] from 1815-22, after which it became part of the Prussian [[Rhine Province]] until its dissolution in 1946. During the time of [[Nazi Germany]] (1933-1945), the [[Lord Mayor]]s were installed by the [[Nazi Party]]. After [[World War II]], the [[military government]] of the British occupation zone installed a new lord mayor and a municipal constitution modeled on that of British cities. Later, the ''Rat der Stadt'' was again elected by the population. The Lord Mayor was elected by the council as its head and as the city's main [[Representation (politics)|representative]]. The [[Executive (government)|administration]] was led by a full time ''Oberstadtdirektor''. In [[1999]], the position of Oberstadtdirektor was abolished in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] and the Lord Mayor became both main representative and administrative head. In addition, the population now elects the Lord Mayor directly. === City council === The last local elections took place on [[September 26]], [[2004]]. As a result, Dr. Wolfgang Reiniger ([[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|CDU]]) was elected Lord Mayor and the following [[political party|political parties]] gained seats in the city council: {| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="95%" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center" | width = "7%" | [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|CDU]]<br/><small>([[Christian Democracy|Christian Democrats]])</small> | width = "7%" | [[Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands|SPD]]<br/><small>([[Social Democracy|Social Democrats]])</small> | width = "7%" | [[Bündnis 90/Die Grünen|GRÜNE]]<br/><small>([[Worldwide green parties|Greens]])</small> | width = "7%" | Essener<br/>Bürgerbündnis<br/><small>(Independent)</small> | width = "7%" | [[Freie Demokratische Partei|FDP]]<br/>Alternative Essen<br/><small>([[Liberalism|Liberals]])</small> | width = "7%" | [[Die Republikaner|REP]]<br/><small>(National Conservatives)</small> | width = "7%" | [[Partei des Demokratischen Sozialismus|PDS]]<br/><small>([[Democratic Socialism|Democratic Socialists]])</small> | width = "7%" | [[Deutsche Kommunistische Partei|DKP]]<br/><small>([[Communism|Communists]])</small> | width = "7%" | [[MLPD|Essen steht AUF (MLPD)]]<br/><small>([[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]])</small> | width = "7%" | '''Total''' |- align="center" | 32 || 28 || 9 || 2 || 5 || 2 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 82 |} The city is governed by a coalition of Reiniger's CDU and the Greens. === Coat of arms === [[Image:Wappen Stadt Essen DE.svg|thumb|140px|left|Coat of arms of Essen]] [[Image:Hotel Handelshof Essen.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Handelshof hotel with modified coat of arms and unofficial motto]] The coat of arms of the city of Essen is a heraldic peculiarity. Granted in 1886, it is a so-called ''Allianzwappen'' (''arms of alliance'') and consists of two separate shields under a single crown. Most other coats of arms of cities show a wall instead of a crown. The crown, however, does not refer to the city of Essen itself, but instead to the [[German Mediatization|secularized]] [[Principality|ecclesiastical principality]] of [[Essen Abbey|Essen]] under the reign of the princess-abbesses. The heraldically right shield shows the double-headed Imperial Eagle of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], granted to the city in 1623. The left shield is one of the eldest arms of Essen and shows a sword that people believed was used to behead the city's [[patron saint|patrons]] [[Saints Cosmas and Damian]]. People tend to connect the sword in the left shield with one found in the Cathedral Treasury. This sword, however, is much younger <ref>[http://regesta-imperii.adwmainz.de/regesten/regshow.php?pk=8837&offset=0&bandanzeige=1 Origin of the sword in the Essen Cathedral Treasury]</ref>. A slightly modified and more heraldically correct version of the arms can be found on the roof of the ''Handelshof'' hotel near the main station. <!-- Do not delete these free lines - the layout may be disrupted --> === Sister Cities === Essen's [[sister cities]] are: {| | valign="top" | * {{flagicon|UK}} - [[Sunderland]] ([[United Kingdom]]), since 1949 * {{flagicon|Finland}} - [[Tampere]] ([[Finland]]), since 1960 * {{flagicon|France}} - [[Grenoble]] ([[France]]), since 1974 | valign="top" | * {{flagicon|Russia}} - [[Nizhny Novgorod]] ([[Russia]]), since 1991 * {{flagicon|Israel}} - [[Tel Aviv]]-Jaffa ([[Israel]]), since 1991 |} == Industry and infrastructure == === Major companies based in Essen === [[Image:RWE Turm Essen.jpg|left|thumb|The RWE Tower]] Essen is seat to several large companies, among them Germany's fifth-largest industrial enterprise [[RWE|RWE AG]]. The ThyssenKrupp industrial conglomerate with its seats in Essen and [[Duisburg]] originates from a 1999 merger between Duisburg-based ''Thyssen AG'' and Essen-based [[Krupp|Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp]]. Other companies in Essen include Germany's largest construction company [[Hochtief AG]], as well as [[ALDI|ALDI Nord]], [[Arcandor|Arcandor AG]], [[Medion|Medion AG]], ''ifm electronic'' &ndash; one of the world's leading Industry [[Automation]] companies &ndash; and [[Heinrich Deichmann-Schuhe GmbH|Deichmann]], Europe's largest shoe retailer. With ''Eon-Ruhrgas AG'', Germany's largest gas company also has its seat in Essen. [[The Coca-Cola Company]] had also originally established their German headquarters in Essen (around 1930), where it remained until [[2003]], when it was moved to the capital [[Berlin]]. === Fairs === On the ''MESSE ESSEN'' fair grounds, some 50 trade fairs are held each year, among them the world's biggest consumer fair for gaming ([[SPIEL]], also occasion of the presentation of the [[Essen Feather]] and of the [[Deutscher Spiele Preis]]), the [[FIBO]] (fitness & wellness) and ''YOU'', the largest European youth fair. Other important fairs include ''E-WORLD - ENERGY & WATER'', 'Security' (security and fire protection) and [[Essen Motor Show]]. === Media === The [[Westdeutscher Rundfunk]] has a studio in Essen, which is responsible for the central [[Ruhr Area]]. Each day, it produces a 30-minute regional evening news magazine (called ''Lokalzeit Ruhr''), a 5-minute afternoon news program, and several radio news programs. A local broadcasting station went "on-the-air" in the late 1990's. The Essen-based ''WAZ-Mediengruppe'' (''WAZ Media Group'') is one of the most important (print) media companies in Europe and publishes the Ruhr Area's two most important daily newspapers, ''Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung'' (WAZ; 580.000 copies) and ''Neue Ruhr/Rhein Zeitung'' (NRZ; 180.000 copies). In Essen, the WAZ Group also publishes the local ''Borbecker Nachrichten'' (at times Germany's largest local newspaper) and ''Werdener Nachrichten'', both of which are formerly independent weekly newspapers for parts of Essen. The "Axel Springer Group" produces it's boulevard-style daily paper "BILD-Zeitung" at their printing facility in Essen-Kettwig. === Education === One renowned educational institution in Essen is the [[Folkwang Academy]], a University of the Arts founded in 1927, with locations in Essen, Duisburg, [[Bochum]] and [[Dortmund]]. The University of Duisburg-Essen, which resulted from a 2003 merger of the universities of Essen and Duisburg, is one of Germany's "youngest" universities. One of its primary research areas is ''urban systems'' (i.e., sustainable development, logistics and transportation), a theme largely inspired by the highly urbanized Ruhr area. Other fields include [[nanotechnology]], [[discrete mathematics]] and "education in the 21st century". Another university in Essen is the private ''Fachhochschule für Oekonomie und Management'', a university of applied sciences with over 6000 students and branches in 15 other major cities throughout Germany. === Medicine === Essen offers a highly diversified health care system with more than 1,000 resident doctors, 350 dentists and almost 6,000 beds in 13 hospitals, including a university hospital. The university hospital dates back to 1909, when the city council established a municipal hospital; although it was largely destroyed during [[World War II]], it was later rebuilt, and finally gained the title of a university hospital in 1963. It focuses on [[List of ICD-9 codes 390-459: Diseases of the circulatory system#7._Diseases_of_the_circulatory_system_.28390-459.29|diseases of the circulatory system]] (West German Heart Centre Essen), [[oncology]] and [[organ transplant|transplantation medicine]], with the department of [[bone marrow transplant]]ation being the second-largest of its kind in the world. === Transportation === The road network of Essen consists of 3,227 streets, which in total have a length of {{convert|1595|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. ==== Freeways ==== [[Image:A40-Ruhrschnellweg-Huttrop.jpg|thumb|[[Bundesautobahn 40|Ruhrschnellweg]]]] The [[Bundesautobahn 40|Ruhrschnellweg]] (A40) runs directly through the city, dividing it roughly in half. A tunnel was built in the 1970s, when the then-[[Bundesstraße]] was upgraded to [[Autobahn]] standards, so that the A40 is hidden from public view in the inner-city district near the main station. As with most freeways in the [[Ruhr Area]], the Ruhrschnellweg suffers from congestion during rush hours, which is why many people in the area do not call it Ruhrschnellweg (Ruhr fast way) but nicknamed it ''Ruhrschleichweg'' (Ruhr crawling way). Other major [[Autobahn]]s include the [[Bundesautobahn 52|A52]], which (coming from Duesseldorf) enters the city limits at [[Kettwig]], continues past the fairground through the southern borough of Rüttenscheid, and then merges with the [[Bundesautobahn 40|Ruhrschnellweg]] at the [[Autobahndreieck]] Essen-Ost junction. A proposed extension to replace [[Bundesstraße 224|B224]] in the northern boroughs has not yet been realized. In the northern borough of Karnap, the [[Bundesautobahn 42|A42]] briefly touches Essen territory, serving as an interconnection between the neighboring cities of [[Oberhausen]] and [[Gelsenkirchen]]and destinations beyond. ==== Public transport ==== [[Image:Essener Weihnachtsmarkt 2007 vom HBF aus.JPG|thumb|[[Christmas market]] in Essen, sight from [[Essen Hauptbahnhof]]]] Local transport is carried out by [[Essener Verkehrs-AG]], a public company operating the [[Essen Stadtbahn]] (partly with used [[Docklands Light Rail]] stock), 7 tram and 48 bus lines (83 and {{convert|459|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} total length, respectively). As a speciality, Essen has a [[Guided bus|Spurbus]] guided bus line on the median of the [[Bundesautobahn 40|A40]] autobahn connecting the city centre to the borough of Kray, as well as a [[Stadtbahn]] line on the median of the same autobahn leading towards Mülheim. [[Image:EVAG P89 5226 Margarethenhoehe.jpg|Trams on the [[Essen Stadtbahn]]|250px|thumb|left]] Via [[Essen Hauptbahnhof]], the city is connected to the [[InterCityExpress]] network of high-speed trains and the general long distance networks operated by [[Deutsche Bahn]]. Minor so-called ''Regionalbahnhöfe'' (regional railway stations) are situated in the boroughs of Altenessen, Borbeck, Kray (south) and Steele, and 20 further [[S-Bahn]] stations in the whole urban area. The first railway line to run over now-Essen territory was the [[Köln-Mindener Eisenbahn]], which opened in 1847 with a stop at Altenessen. The station still exists, though it was renamed from ''Essen'' to "[[Essen-Altenessen railway station|Essen-Altenessen]]" when the [[Bergisch-Märkische Eisenbahn]] from [[Mülheim an der Ruhr]] to [[Bochum]] opened in 1862. All local and DB regional traffic is subject to the fare structure of the [[Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr|VRR]] transportation association. == Sights in Essen == ===Zollverein Industrial Complex=== [[Image:Zollverein Schacht 12.jpg|thumb|Shaft XII of Zollverein Coal Mine]] {{Main|Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex}} Coal mine (built in 1932, closed in 1986) and coking plant (built in 1961, closed in 1993). Visitors now have access to the precincts, which frequently house temporary art exhibitions. Once the largest sub-surface coal mine in the world, it has been awarded [[World Cultural Heritage]] status by UNESCO. ===Villa Hügel=== Built at the end of the 19th century by industrial magnate [[Alfred Krupp]] as a representative seat to his family, the real estate register solely lists the 269-room mansion ({{convert|8100|m2|sqft|-1|abbr=on|disp=/|lk=on}}) surrounded by a park of {{convert|28|ha|acre|1|abbr=on|}} as a single-family house. Today, the mansion houses exhibitions and music concerts. [[Image:Villa Hügel, Essen, 20071222.jpg|thumb|Villa Hügel, 2007]] ===Essen Cathedral=== A 14th-century cathedral with a [[westwork]] and [[crypt]] from the 10th century, rebuilt in 1958. It is not spectacular in appearance, but has some exquisite artworks from around 1000 AD on display in the attached treasure house: a crown of Emperor [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]] and the oldest preserved sculpture of the Virgin Mary in the world (''[[Golden Madonna of Essen|Goldene Madonna]]'', [[Vernacular|commonly]] referred to as ''Essen sein Schatz'', to translate literally "Essen it´s treasure"). ===[[Alte Synagoge]]=== The Jewish community inaugurated the [[synagogue]] in 1913. Destroyed by fire in the [[Kristallnacht|Nazi pogroms]] of 1938, it was restored after World War II. It stands as the largest synagogue north of the [[Alps]]. ===Essen city hall=== Germany's highest city hall ({{convert|106|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=/}}), built from 1971 to 1979. Free guided tours offer a view from the 22nd floor, overlooking the city from {{convert|100|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} above ground. === [[Shopping Mall Limbecker Platz|Limbecker Platz]] === The shopping mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Germany. Because the shopping center is still under construction, only the first part was opened. On March, 13th 2008 the first part was opened with 100 shops covering 35,000 square meters. It was prior to these new developments the northernmost point of Germany's first designated pedestrian-only inner city shopping area. The "Limbecker Strasse" connects it with the peripherie of "Kennedyplatz" (the heart of the city) and with "Kettwiger Strasse", the southern leg of beforesaid pedestrian zone which leads to the main railway station called "Essen Hauptbahnhof". [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbecker_Platz german Article "Limbecker Platz"] ===[[RWE tower]]=== The 2<sup>nd</sup>-highest skyscraper in [[North Rhine Westphalia]] and corporate headquarters of the second largest electric power company in Germany (after [[E.ON]]) [[RWE AG]], situated across the street from the Aalto theatre (Opernplatz 1). ===Aalto Theater=== [[Image:Aalto-Theater 02.jpg|thumb|Aalto Theater]] Popular opera house designed by Finnish architect [[Alvar Aalto]], opened in 1988. ===[[Werden|Essen-Werden]]=== Once a town of its own, it became a borough of Essen in 1929; the center of the town has partly retained its medieval townscape with many pubs and restaurants. It stands near the Lake Baldeney and hosts the Folkwang College of Music and Performing Arts. ===Kettwig=== Located south of the Ruhr river, and also once a town of its own, it was incorporated in 1975. Until today, residents of Kettwig can only be called using an area code different from that of the rest of Essen. Additionally (allegedly because of relatively high church tax incomes), the Archbishop of Cologne managed to keep Kettwig part of the [[Archbishopric of Cologne]], whereas all other parts of Essen and some neighbouring cities constitute the Diocese of Essen (''Ruhrbistum''). ==Notable residents== * [[Mille Petrozza]] (born 1966){{ndash}} musician (Guitarist,Vocalist in German Thrash metal band [[Kreator]]) * [[Christian Keller]] (born 1972){{ndash}} medley and freestyle swimmer * [[Jens Lehmann]] (born 1969){{ndash}} German footballer, goalkeeper * [[Frank Mill]] (born 1958){{ndash}} German footballer * [[Diether Krebs]] (born 1947){{ndash}} actor and comedian * [[Jürgen Bartsch]] (born 1946){{ndash}} serial killer * [[Otto Rehhagel]] (born 1938){{ndash}} German footballer and football coach * [[Elisabeth Volkmann]] (born 1936){{ndash}} actress and voice actor * [[Alfred Herrhausen]] (born 1930){{ndash}} banker * [[Helmut Rahn]] (born 1929){{ndash}} German football legend * [[Uta Ranke-Heinemann]] (born 1927){{ndash}} theologian and author * [[Theo Albrecht]] (born 1922){{ndash}} entrepreneur * [[Hildegard Hamm-Brücher]] (born 1921){{ndash}} politician * [[Karl Albrecht]] (born 1920){{ndash}} entrepreneur * [[Gunter d'Alquen]] (born 1910){{ndash}} publisher * [[Peter Anders (tenor)|Peter Anders]] (born 1908){{ndash}} singer * [[Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach]] (born 1907){{ndash}} member of the [[Krupp]] dynasty * [[Heinz Rühmann]] (born 1902){{ndash}} actor * [[Josef Terboven]] (born 1898){{ndash}} Nazi leader * [[Franz Blücher]] (born 1896){{ndash}} politician * [[Carl Humann]] (born 1839){{ndash}} discoverer of the [[Pergamon Altar]]. * [[Alfred Krupp]] (born 1812){{ndash}} member of the Krupp dynasty * [[Karl Baedeker]] (born 1801){{ndash}} publisher * [[Johann Julius Hecker]] (born 1707 in Werden, today [[Essen-Werden]]){{ndash}} educator * [[Johan van Galen]] (born 1604){{ndash}} commodore in the navy of the United Provinces of the Netherlands * [[Jan Lehmkamper]]{{ndash}} musician (X-Fusion/Noisuf-X/Kombat Unit) ==References== * Most sections of this article are translations from the German Wikipedia. The versions used can be found under the following three links: [http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essen&oldid=22493083], [http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essen&oldid=24508847] and [http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essen&oldid=30272114]. The original authors of the German language version can be found [http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essen&action=history here] ==Footnotes== {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{Commons|Essen}} * [http://www.essen.de/ Official city website] * [http://www.stadtpanoramen.de/en/essen/essen.html Essen City Panoramas] — Panoramic Views and virtual Tours * [http://www.heinzalbers.org/kettwig.htm Pictures from Kettwig] * [http://www.world-shots.com/world_en144-1532.html World Cities Images. Germany. Essen] * [http://sites-of-memory.de/main/location.html#essen Memorials in Essen at sites-of-memory.de] * [http://www.conruhr.org/ ConRuhr - Academic Liaison Office for Universities of Duisburg-Essen, Dortmund, Bochum] <br> {{Essen boroughs}} {{European Capital of Culture}} {{Germany districts north rhine-westphalia}} {{World's most populated urban areas}} [[Category:Cities in North Rhine-Westphalia]] [[Category:Landmarks in Germany]] [[Category:Essen]] [[ar:إسن]] [[bg:Есен (град)]] [[ca:Essen]] [[cs:Essen]] [[da:Essen]] [[de:Essen]] [[et:Essen]] [[el:Έσσεν]] [[es:Essen]] [[eo:Essen]] [[eu:Essen]] [[fr:Essen]] [[gl:Essen]] [[ko:에센]] [[hr:Essen]] [[id:Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen]] [[is:Essen]] [[it:Essen]] [[he:אסן]] [[la:Assindia]] [[lb:Essen (Däitschland)]] [[lv:Esene]] [[lt:Esenas]] [[hu:Essen]] [[nl:Essen (Noord-Rijnland-Westfalen)]] [[ja:エッセン]] [[no:Essen]] [[nn:Essen]] [[oc:Essen]] [[nds:Essen]] [[pl:Essen]] [[pt:Essen]] [[ro:Essen]] [[qu:Essen]] [[ru:Эссен]] [[simple:Essen]] [[sk:Essen]] [[sr:Есен]] [[fi:Essen]] [[sv:Essen]] [[tl:Essen, Alemanya]] [[th:เอสเซิน]] [[tr:Essen]] [[vec:Essen]] [[vo:Essen (Nordrhein-Westfalen)]] [[zh:埃森]]