German federated state of North Rhine-Westphalia: characteristics, population, photos, major cities, climate, map and much more

§ Brief overview of the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state

North Rhine-Westphalia, abbreviated NRW, is the most densely populated federated state in Germany, located in the west of the country. The territory of North Rhine-Westphalia hosts the large German Eifel National Park (in German: Eifel), with an area of more than 10 thousand hectares. The park is home to hundreds of rare species of animals listed in the Red Book. Moreover, in the territory of North Rhine-Westphalia there are numerous mountains and mountainous areas, the most famous of which are: the Rothaar Mountains (in German: Rothaargebirge), the Siebengebirge, occasionally the Sieben Mountains or Seven Mountains, (in German: Siebengebirge), the Egge Hills (in German: Eggegebirge), the Teutoburg Forest (in German: Teutoburger Wald) .

The territory of the federated state contains the Ruhr region, with the cities there located very close to each other and forming one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe. Its mining and processing industries are well developed here; besides, large industrial concerns are located in the said federated state.

§ Photos of the sightseeing attractions in the Nordrhein-Westfalen federated state

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  Burg Satzvey on the territory of the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state

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  Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia

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  The City of Düsseldorf

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  The Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope in the vicinity of the town of Bad Münstereifel

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  The Rothaar Mountains (Rothaargebirge) in North Rhine-Westphalia

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  The Ruhr region

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  The Teutoburg Forest

§ Population of the Nordrhein-Westfalen federated state

The population size in North Rhine-Westphalia totals 17'890'100 people. Of these, 8'776'760 are men, which is 49.1 % and 9'113'340 are women or 50.9 % of the whole federated state population. The population density of the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state is 524 people per 1 square kilometer.

Based on the data in Table 1 (see below on the page), the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state occupies 10 % of the entire territory of Germany, which is home to 22 % of the population of the entire country, they live in 396 settlements located on the territory of the said land.

§ Climate and weather in North Rhine-Westphalia

Like in other parts of the country, North Rhine-Westphalia has a temperate climate with warm summers and relatively warm winters. According to the German Weather Service (aka the German Meteorological Service) (in German: DWD), in 2023 the average annual temperature in North Rhine-Westphalia was 11.2 degrees Celsius, while in winter the air temperature was on average 4.0 °C, and in summer 18.4 °C. The rainfall in 2023 was 1'198 l/m², and the sun shone that year in North Rhine-Westphalia for 1'653 hours. Click here for more information about the Climate of Germany

§ Capital of the North Rhine-Westphalia German federated state

The capital of the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state is the City of Düsseldorf, in German Düsseldorf or Düsseldorf, Stadt, with a population of more than 630'000 people.

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§ Statistics, essential data about the federated state

Table 1 below presents statistics as to the data for the federated state of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as indicators for the whole of Germany for comparison. Besides, from Table 1, you will learn the percentage ratio of the indicator for the federated state to the indicator for the whole of Germany.

Table 1. Statistical data on the Nordrhein-Westfalen federated state as of early 2017.

§ The North Rhine-Westphalia federated state holidays schedule

Every federated state in Germany has the right to establish holidays, days off from work, which are valid on their territory. On the territory of North Rhine-Westphalia there are 13 official holidays. A detailed calendar of the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state public holidays can be found on a dedicated page of our website. The school vacations schedule of the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state is also established by a decision of the local government distinct from other German federated states.

§ Major cities in the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state

In the Nordrhein-Westfalen federated state there are 396 settlements, of which 271 are cities. Table 2 below contains a list of major, large cities in the said federated state.

Table 2. Major cities in the North Rhine-Westphalia federated state in English and German.

§ Flag and coat of arms of the Nordrhein-Westfalen federated state

In the picture below, you can see the flag or flag / coat of arms of the federated state.

§ North Rhine-Westphalia on a map of Germany

In the picture below, you can see the location of the federated state and its capital on a map of Germany. Map of all the federated states of Germany and their capitals.