Exploring Cologne, Germany: Square Mileage And More

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. It is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of over a million people. The city is situated on the Rhine River and is known for its medieval architecture, including the famous Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cologne covers an area of approximately 156 square miles (405 square kilometres) and is divided into 85 districts. It is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its joyous attitude, party spirit, and diverse range of attractions, from museums and galleries to its thriving music and art scene.

Cologne's location

Cologne is located in the west of Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the largest city in the state and the fourth-largest in Germany, with a population of over 1 million. The city is situated on the River Rhine, about 35km southeast of Düsseldorf, the state capital, and 25km northwest of Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.

The city's location on the Rhine has been key to its development. The river is navigable by seagoing vessels at this point, and Cologne is one of the key inland ports of Europe. The intersection of the Rhine with major land routes between east and west, as well as the main south-north Western European trade route, has also contributed to the city's growth.

Cologne covers an area of 156 square miles (405 square km). The greatest distance across the city from west to east is about 17 miles (27 km) and from north to south about the same. The city is divided into 9 boroughs (Stadtbezirke) and 85 districts (Stadtteile). Most of Cologne lies on the left (west) bank of the river, but it also includes a cluster of suburbs on the right bank, some of which were annexed in 1975.

The climate of the region is temperate but humid. Average temperatures in the Cologne area are 36°F (2°C) in January and 64°F (18°C) in July.

The city's history

Cologne, Germany, is a city steeped in history, with its roots stretching back to the 1st century CE. Here is an overview of the city's rich historical evolution:

Ancient Roots and Roman Influence

Cologne was founded in Germanic Ubii territory in 38 BCE by the Ubii, a Cisrhenian Germanic tribe. In 50 CE, the Romans established Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne) on the Rhine River, naming it after Emperor Claudius's wife, Agrippina. It became the provincial capital of Germania Inferior in 85 CE and served as a key Roman military base and trading hub.

Medieval Growth and Ecclesiastical Significance

During the Middle Ages, Cologne flourished as a vital trade centre, benefiting from its location on major routes connecting eastern and western Europe. It was a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading network. The city also gained ecclesiastical prominence, with the construction of its medieval cathedral, which was the world's tallest building from 1880 to 1890.

Foreign Occupations and War

Cologne has endured various occupations throughout its history, including by the French (1794-1815) and the British (1918-1926). During World War II, it was one of the most heavily bombed German cities, with 80% of its ancient city centre destroyed. The post-war rebuilding efforts resulted in a mixed cityscape, blending restored historic landmarks with modern architecture.

Post-War Recovery and Modern Developments

Following World War II, Cologne underwent a period of reconstruction and transformation. The city regained its status as a major cultural and economic centre, hosting renowned universities, museums, and galleries. It is known for its vibrant carnival, joyous attitude, and diverse music and art scenes. Today, Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany, with a population of over 1 million, and continues to be an influential hub in the Rhineland region.

Cologne's economy

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is one of the key inland ports in Europe and is the economic capital of the Rhineland. Cologne's economy is primarily based on insurance and media industries, with several large media companies based in the city, including Westdeutscher Rundfunk, RTL Television, and Brainpool TV. The city is also an important centre for arts and communications, with many publishing houses and production companies for radio and television.

Cologne has a significant chemical and automobile industry, with Ford Europe having its European headquarters and a factory in the city. Toyota Motorsport GmbH, Toyota's official motorsports team, is also headquartered in Cologne. The city is home to several prominent economic organisations and is a major trade fair location, with numerous trade fairs held annually at the KölnMesse.

Lufthansa, Europe's largest airline, has its main corporate headquarters in Cologne, and the city is a major hub for air cargo. The Rhine harbour is one of the larger inland ports in Germany and is important for both trade and sightseeing.

Cologne is a major research hub for the aerospace industry, with the German Aerospace Centre and the European Astronaut Centre headquartered in the city. The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research is also headquartered in Cologne, and the city is home to several other Max Planck science institutes.

Cologne has a diverse economy with engineering, electrical engineering, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and chocolate manufacturing also being significant contributors.

Transport in the area

Cologne is a transport hub, with a large number of transport options available to get in, out and around the city.

Air

Cologne Bonn Airport is one of the most important airports in Germany, connecting to over 130 domestic and international destinations. The airport is well connected to the city's transport network, with an underground train station centrally located between the two terminals, and easy access to the A59 freeway.

Train

Cologne is connected to the rest of Germany and Europe by an extensive rail network. Over 1,300 passenger trains connect the city with the rest of Germany and abroad every day. The high-speed rail offers an environmentally friendly way to get to the city. The main station is Cologne Hauptbahnhof, with other major stations including Köln Messe/Deutz and Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Road

Cologne can be reached by car via numerous European highways. The city is encircled by a motorway ring road, with ten star-shaped motorway axes feeding into it. The A1, A3, A4, A57, A59, A555 and A559 all connect to the city.

Public Transport

Cologne has a well-developed public transport network, with over 850,000 people travelling on the Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) buses and trains every day. The network includes trains, trams and buses, with services running at least every 20 minutes until late, and more frequently during rush hour. The KVB app is available in English, and tickets can be purchased via the app, online, at ticket machines, or in KVB customer centres and private sales offices.

Boat

Cologne is one of the key inland ports in Europe, with five Rhine ports forming the second-largest inland port in Germany and one of the largest in Europe.

Cologne's culture

Cologne is a major cultural centre for the Rhineland, hosting more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. The city is also home to several institutions of higher education, including the University of Cologne, one of Europe's oldest and largest universities.

Cologne's rich and varied heritage is still much in evidence today, despite the almost complete destruction of the Inner City during World War II. The city's medieval Cologne Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1880 to 1890 and is today the third-tallest church and tallest cathedral in the world. It is recognised as a global landmark and is one of Europe's most visited sights and pilgrimage destinations.

Cologne is also famous for Eau de Cologne, which has been produced in the city since 1709. The term "cologne" has since become a generic name for scented perfumes.

Cologne is known for its joyous attitude and party spirit, particularly during the world-famous Cologne Carnival, which is held between New Year and Ash Wednesday. The city is also renowned for its beer, called Kölsch, and its many rustic pubs.

Cologne's location on the Rhine River has been key to its commercial importance, intersecting with a major land route for trade between western and eastern Europe. The city boasts a remarkably dense network of galleries and a very active art scene, with one of the world's oldest art fairs.

Cologne is one of Germany's hotspots for street art, particularly in neighbourhoods such as Ehrenfeld and the Belgian Quarter, as well as in the city centre.

The city also has a thriving music scene, with more than 60 music venues and the third-highest density of music venues of Germany's four largest cities. Several orchestras are active in the city, including the Gürzenich Orchestra and the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne.

Cologne is home to numerous museums, including the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Museum Ludwig, the Museum Schnütgen of religious art, and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum.

Cologne's large annual literary festival, lit.COLOGNE, features regional and international authors, while the phil.cologne festival celebrates philosophy.

The city also has the most pubs per capita in Germany.

Frequently asked questions