Ruhr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruhr
Ruhrgebiet
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Ruhr Metropolis Metropole Ruhr |
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![]() Map of the Ruhr metropolitan region within Germany
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Country | ![]() |
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State | ![]() |
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Largest cities | ||
Government | ||
• Body | Regionalverband Ruhr | |
Area | ||
• Metro | 4,435 km2 (1,712 sq mi) | |
Highest elevation | 441 m (1,447 ft) | |
Lowest elevation | 13 m (43 ft) | |
Population | ||
• Metro | 5,118,681 | |
• Metro density | 1,646/km2 (4,260/sq mi) | |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
GRP | 2007 | |
Nominal | €136 billion |
The Ruhr is a river in western Germany. It flows into the Rhine River. It is 218 kilometres (135 mi) long. The Ruhr begins near the town of Winterberg and flows into the Rhine River near Düsseldorf. Winterberg is located in the Sauerland region and Düsseldorf lies in North Rhine-Westphalia in the west of Germany. It runs through Arnsberg, Iserlohn, Schwerte, Bochum and Essen, among other cities.
Several Ruhr-area cities joined the Hanseatic league during the middle ages. The Ruhr became a center for business and industry. Beginning in the mid 14th century coal was mined along the Ruhr. It became a center for coal and steel production in Germany for over 200 years. In the mid 20th century coal and steel industries came to an end. The buildings were then used for cultural events and entertainment purposes.