Essen

Essen is a major urban center located in the heart of the Ruhr area in Germany.

This region is one of the largest urban areas in Europe. It forms a megalopolis of eleven independent cities and four districts. The total population of this entire metropolitan area is about 5.3 million people. Within this massive urban landscape, Essen is the second-largest city in the Ruhr. It follows Dortmund in size. Nationally, Essen ranks as the tenth-largest city in Germany. It is also the fourth-largest city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Because of its central position, many people call Essen the "secret capital" of the Ruhr.

The geography of Essen is defined by its rivers and its green spaces. Two main rivers flow through the city landscape. The Emscher River runs through the northern part of the city. The Ruhr River flows through the southern part. In the south, the Ruhr is dammed to create the Baldeneysee lake and other reservoirs.

This lake was created between 1931 and 1933. Thousands of unemployed coal miners used primitive tools to dredge it. Essen is remarkably green for a large industrial city. It is the greenest city in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also the third-greenest city in Germany. About 9.2% of the city area consists of recreational green space. This greenery helps the city protect biodiversity and manage water consumption.

Essen's climate is classified as a typical oceanic climate. This means it usually has cool winters and warm summers. The city does not have large mountains or nearby seas to change the weather. The average annual temperature is 10.5 degrees Celsius. This is split between 12.5 degrees during the day and 8.5 degrees at night. The average annual precipitation is 811 millimeters. January is the coldest month, averaging 0.3 degrees Celsius. July and August are the warmest months, averaging 18.4 degrees Celsius. The city has seen extreme temperatures ranging from -15.4 degrees to 36.7 degrees Celsius.

The history of Essen began many centuries ago. The town was founded around the year 845. It started as a small settlement under the influence of Essen Abbey. This abbey was a special institution for women. It served as a residence and school for the daughters and widows of high nobility.

The first documented mention of the city occurred in 898. Over time, the city grew and gained the right to hold markets in 1041. In 1244, Essen received its official town charter. This allowed the citizens to have more independence from the princess-abbesses who ruled the area. The city even built a wall to protect itself during this era.

During the Industrial Age, Essen underwent a massive transformation. It became one of Germany's most vital centers for coal and steel. The Krupp family operated famous iron works in the city. This industry brought many people to the area. Between 1929 and 1988, Essen was the fifth-largest city in Germany. The population grew significantly during this time. In 1962, the city reached a peak of over 730,000 inhabitants. However, the heavy industries began to decline in the late 20th century. This led to a major shift in how the city's economy functions.

Today, Essen has developed a strong tertiary sector. This means the economy now relies more on services rather than heavy manufacturing. One famous example of this change is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex. This site was once the largest coal mine of its kind in Europe. It officially closed in 1993. Now, the coking plant and the mine are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Essen is also known as the energy capital of Germany. This is because the country's largest energy providers, E.ON and RWE, are both headquartered there. The city is also a center for arts and design. It hosts the Folkwang University of the Arts and the Red Dot industrial product design award.

Essen is a city of many distinct parts and identities. It is divided into fifty different boroughs. These are grouped into nine larger suburban districts called Stadtbezirke. Most of these boroughs were once independent municipalities. They were annexed into Essen between 1901 and 1975. This history created a strong sense of local identity. For example, the borough of Kettwig remains unique. It is located south of the Ruhr River. It even keeps its own area code and belongs to the Archdiocese of Cologne. This is different from the rest of the city. Essen's diverse character has earned it many honors. It was the European Capital of Culture in 2010. It also won the title of European Green Capital for 2017.