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Wuppertal

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Wuppertal is a large city in western Germany.

Wuppertal 7.18769E 51.23313N
Wuppertal 7.18769E 51.23313N

It sits in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city is the capital of a region called Bergisches Land. It lies near other big places like Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Elberfeld-Mitte, Wuppertal-0124
Elberfeld-Mitte, Wuppertal-0124

The city follows a long, narrow valley. This valley is shaped by the River Wupper. Because the hills are so steep, the city looks longer than it really is. This shape makes it a unique "linear city."

One of the most amazing things in Wuppertal is how people move around.

Wuppertal-100508-12833-Uferstraße
Wuppertal-100508-12833-Uferstraße

The city has a special hanging tram called the Schwebebahn.

Schwebebahn ueber Strasse
Schwebebahn ueber Strasse

This monorail does not run on the ground like most trains. Instead, its tracks hang high above the streets and the river. This unique way to travel began working in 1901. It is one of the city's greatest and most famous sights. Visitors from all over the world come to see it ride above the valley.

History shaped Wuppertal into the place it is today.

Einwohnerentwicklung von Wuppertal - ab 1871
Einwohnerentwicklung von Wuppertal - ab 1871

In 1929, several different towns joined together to form one big city. These towns were Elberfeld, Barmen, Ronsdorf, Cronenberg, and Vohwinkel. At first, the new city was called Barmen-Elberfeld. People voted in 1930 to change the name to Wuppertal. This name means "Wupper Valley." The city grew very fast because of its many busy factories.

Engels 1856
Engels 1856

It was even the birthplace of a famous man named Friedrich Engels.

Today, about 355,000 people live in Wuppertal.

Wuppertal Döppersberg 2018 129
Wuppertal Döppersberg 2018 129

The city is known as the greenest city in Germany. This is because two-thirds of the city is filled with parks and woods. You can reach a green path in just ten minutes from almost anywhere. Wuppertal is also a place where important things are made. For example, the medicine Aspirin was first made here by Bayer in 1897.

Friedr. Bayer 1863
Friedr. Bayer 1863

The city also makes cars, rubber, and even vacuum cleaners.

There is so much to see and do in this busy valley.

Wuppertal Stadthalle
Wuppertal Stadthalle

You can visit the Wuppertal Zoo or walk through beautiful botanical gardens. If you like art, the Von der Heydt Museum has many famous paintings.

Beyenburger Freiheit und Klosterkirche, Wuppertal 4
Beyenburger Freiheit und Klosterkirche, Wuppertal 4

The city is also a center for music and dance. There is a grand concert hall called the Stadthalle. People also love to go cycling on the Nordbahntrasse path. Wuppertal is a place where old history and modern life live together.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Wuppertal 7.18769E 51.23313N.jpg
Wuppertal 7.18769E 51.23313N.jpg
File:Elberfeld-Mitte,_Wuppertal-0124.jpg
Elberfeld-Mitte,_Wuppertal-0124.jpg
File:Wuppertal-100508-12833-Uferstraße.jpg
Wuppertal-100508-12833-Uferstraße.jpg
File:Schwebebahn ueber Strasse.jpg
Schwebebahn ueber Strasse.jpg
File:Wuppertal Stadthalle.JPG
Wuppertal Stadthalle.JPG
File:280505 001 Engelshaus Barmen.jpg
280505 001 Engelshaus Barmen.jpg
File:Beyenburger Freiheit und Klosterkirche, Wuppertal 4.jpg
Beyenburger Freiheit und Klosterkirche,...
File:Wuppertal Nützenberger Str 0117.JPG
Wuppertal Nützenberger Str 0117.JPG
File:Haus Hohe Briller Viertel 1.jpg
Haus Hohe Briller Viertel 1.jpg
File:Einwohnerentwicklung von Wuppertal - ab 1871.svg
Einwohnerentwicklung von Wuppertal - ab 1871.svg
File:GER Wuppertal Junioruni 005 2016.jpg
GER Wuppertal Junioruni 005 2016.jpg
File:GER Wuppertal Unimensa 002 2014.jpg
GER Wuppertal Unimensa 002 2014.jpg

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