With a number of inhabitants of more than 5 million people and a total area of 4.435 square kilometres the Ruhr area forms the biggest conurbation of Germany and the third-biggest in Europe - to Paris and London. Within a vicinity of 250 km nearly 60 millions potential costumers can be reached.

Other records appear in the infrastructural equipment of the region.

In the matter of traffic the region puts the most fine-meshed road system and railroad network, the biggest railway complex, the biggest canal harbour as well as the traffic group richest in transportation of Europe. International airports can be reached quickly (Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Münster/Osnabrück).

5 universities, 15 advanced technical colleges, 4 Fraunhofer institutes and 3 Max Planck institutes form the compact und innovative research scenery of the region.

This is also an expression of the progressive structural change in the Ruhr area - away from coal and steel to new branches and technologies like chemistry, logistics or health economy. The plastic industry operates as an integral component of the chemical industry and as an important use market of chemical products.

Besides, for the "new" Ruhr area stands the extensive cultural offer which is an expression  of a high quality of life as well as from local and regional creativity as a location factor. This proves the region also as a venue of the cultural capital in 2010.

With a number of inhabitants of more than 5 million people and a total area of 4.435 square kilometres the Ruhr area forms the biggest conurbation of Germany and the third-biggest in Europe - to Paris and London. Within a vicinity of 250 km nearly 60 millions potential costumers can be reached.

Other records appear in the infrastructural equipment of the region.

In the matter of traffic the region puts the most fine-meshed road system and railroad network, the biggest railway complex, the biggest canal harbour as well as the traffic group richest in transportation of Europe. International airports can be reached quickly (Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Münster/Osnabrück).

5 universities, 15 advanced technical colleges, 4 Fraunhofer institutes and 3 Max Planck institutes form the compact und innovative research scenery of the region.

This is also an expression of the progressive structural change in the Ruhr area - away from coal and steel to new branches and technologies like chemistry, logistics or health economy. The plastic industry operates as an integral component of the chemical industry and as an important use market of chemical products.

Besides, for the "new" Ruhr area stands the extensive cultural offer which is an expression  of a high quality of life as well as from local and regional creativity as a location factor. This proves the region also as a venue of the cultural capital in 2010.