Exploring North Rhine-Westphalia: Enchanting Journey to Cologne and Dortmund
Dortmund:
Dortmund is a city located in the Ruhr region of Germany and belongs to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It has an approximate population of 587,010 and covers an area of 280.7 square kilometers. Dortmund is the second-largest city in its region, the seventh-largest in Germany, and ranks 34th in the European Union. The Dortmund-Ems Canal is the largest canal in Europe, connecting the city to the North Sea at the port of Dortmund. The city hosts numerous cultural and educational institutions, including Dortmund University of Technology, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the International School of Management, and other educational, cultural, and administrative facilities, accommodating over 49,000 students. It also boasts several museums, such as the Ostwall Museum, the Museum of Art and Cultural History, and the German Football Museum, along with theaters and music venues.
Climate:
Dortmund has a temperate climate, with relatively mild winters and cool summers. The average annual temperature ranges from 9 to 10 degrees Celsius, and the average annual rainfall is around 800 millimeters.
Top Tourist Attractions in Dortmund:
- Reinoldikirche (St. Reinoldi Church)
- Marienkirche (Church of the Virgin Mary)
- Florianturm (Florian Tower)
- Westfalenhallen (Westphalia Hall)
- Signal Iduna Park (Stadium)
- German Football Museum
Cologne (Köln):
Cologne, formerly known as Colonia, is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of approximately 1,024,373. It hosts a large number of foreigners, making it a cosmopolitan city. Cologne is an important hub for transportation, culture, science, arts, trade, and entertainment in the state. It serves as a major intersection for rail and air transport, with the Rhine River flowing through the city. The riverbanks are connected by eight bridges, two of which are railway bridges. The city's most famous landmark is the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), a twin-spired Gothic tower, completed in 1880 (1248-1880). It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands 157 meters tall on an area of 7,000 square meters.
Climate:
Cologne experiences a generally moderate climate. Winters are relatively mild, and summers are cool. The average temperature in the city ranges from 2 to 26 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Snowfall can be seen in Cologne, especially during the winter months, while summers tend to be rainy. The temperatures start to rise in April, with the air temperature reaching about 15 degrees. The highest temperatures occur in July and August, ranging from about 22 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Top Tourist Attractions in Cologne:
- Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)
- Cologne Zoo
- KölnTriangle and KölnTriangle Panorama
- Hohenzollern Bridge
- Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum)
