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Duisburg is a German city in the western part of the Ruhr Area (Ruhrgebiet) in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a district-free city in the Regierungsbezirk Düsseldorf. The harbour of Duisburg is the largest inland port in the world. Duisburg has a university which merged in 2003 with the University of Essen.
The current city borders are the result of multiple reforms in which some surrounding cities were incorporated. At the beginning of the 20th century Duisburg reached the 100,000 resident limit. Today Duisburg is the 11th biggest city in Germany with currently 506,496 residents (as of 31 December 2003). The city is well-known for its steel industry. There is still one coal mine in operation, but Duisburg has never been a coal mining location to the same extent as the other places in the Ruhr Area. All remaining high blast furnaces in the Ruhr Area are now located in Duisburg. 49% of all hot metal and 34.4% of all crude steel in Germany are produced here (status 2000).
Geography
Duisburg is located in the Lowland Rhine area at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers and at the outskirts of the Bergisches Land . The city spreads along either sides of these rivers.
Adjacent cities
The following cities border Duisburg (clockwise starting in the north-east):
Oberhausen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Ratingen, Düsseldorf, Krefeld, Moers, Rheinberg and Dinslaken
History
Roman period
Latest archaeological studies show that the market was already used in the 1st century AD. The "Old Market" was the major central trading place of the city since the 5th century. The city itself was located at the "Hellweg", an important trade way, and a ford over the river Rhine. The romans had a permanent presence at the ford.
- 420 Re-colonisation of the old part of the town. Franks took over the roman settlements.
- 883 Normans conquer Duisburg and stayed for the winter. Earliest written mention of Duisburg.
Middle Ages
Due to the advantageous geographic position the city became a palatinate and a free city. Duisburg was also part of the Hanseatic League. After 1200 the river moved its bed. The borough of Ruhrort was founded in order to establish a new harbour on the mouth of the Ruhr river. This changed the development of the city of Duisburg, it became a peasant city instead of a merchant city. The work of cartographer Gerardus Mercator and the founding of the university in 1655 established the city as "Educated Duisburg" ("Duisburgum Doctum").
Industrial revolution
The rise of the tobacco and textile industries in the 18th century led to a development which continued with the industrialization and made Duisburg an industrial center. Big industrial companies (Thyssen, Krupp) affected the development of the city. Large parts of the city were constructed for workers around the producing areas.
World War II
As a major logistical center of the Ruhr Area and an important location for chemical, steel and iron industry Duisburg quickly became a primary target for allied bombers. Not only the industrial areas but also the residential areas were bombed. As entry lane to the Ruhr Area there were alerts on a daily basis from 1943.
Post war period
A total of 299 bombing runs on Duisburg had destroyed the historical cityscape almost completely. 80% of the residential buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged. Almost the whole city had to be rebuilt, most historical landmarks were lost.
- 1983 1100 year anniversary
- 1999 The new Jewish community center with synagogue was opened.
- 2004 On 19 July Duisburg was hit by a tornado. The municipal theatre and parts of the city center were damaged.
Economy and infrastructure
Transport
Watershed of the Rhine River Duisburg Port
The port "duisport" [1] (http://www.duisport.de/en/) is the largest inland port of the world, it is also officially a seaport. Sea-going river vessels serve ports in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Numerous docks are mostly located at the mouth of river Ruhr.
Each year more than 40,000,000 tonnes of various goods are handled and more than 20,000 ship call at the port. The public harbor facilities stretches over an area of 7.4 km². There are 21 docks with a complete area of 1.8 km² and 40 km "coastline". The area of the Logport Logistic Center Duisburg stretches over an area of 2.65 km². A number of companies also have their own private docks so all together 70,000,000 t of goods are handled in Duisburg.
Streets and railway
Duisburg is connected to the freeway system (known as Autobahn), 5 freeways cross the city or are very close to the city. In addition there are so-called 'S-Bahn' (railway) lines which not only connect the different parts of Duisburg (with 4 stations) but also connect Duisburg to the other cities in the Ruhr Area.
A subway ('U-Bahn') and bus system makes for a good internal transportation system.
Media
There are several newspapers which report local events and politics, including the "Westdeutsche Allgemeine" (WAZ), the "Neue Ruhr Zeitung" (NRZ) and the "Rheinische Post" (RP).
There is a local TV station ("STUDIO 47"), which was first local station to broadcast in North Rhine-Westphalia
Culture
Duisburg has a comprehensive range of cultural installations and presentation. One highlight are the annual "Duisburger Akzente" [2] (http://www.duisburger-akzente.de) which are dealing with modern social or politico-cultural topics.
Because of its history as seaport, trade and industry center, Duisburg also offers a variety of architectural places of interest. The spectrum goes from old churches like the "St. Johann Baptist" in Duisburg-Hamborn which was built in 900 to modern age buildings like Micro-Electronic-Centrum in Duisburg-Neudorf from 1995.
Another object of interest is the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord [3] (http://www.landschaftspark.de/english/html/nav/welcome.html) an abandoned industrial complex opened to the public.
In the city center there are the Wilhelm-Lehmbruck Museum [4] (http://lehmbruck.cynapsis.com/?part=en), the municipal theatre [5] (http://www.theater-duisburg.de) and the shopping street known as "fountain mile"
Sport
Duisburg is the home of the MSV Duisburg soccer team. The team currently plays in the 2nd Bundesliga. The MSV was one of the founding members of the Bundesliga in 1963/64. One of the best known players to have played for MSV is Helmut Rahn.
Duisburg is also known for the rowing- and canoe regatta and the world championships are hosted here regularly.
Duisburg will be the host of the 2005 World Games [6] (http://www.worldgames2005.de/en/).
Buildings/Constructions
External links
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