Essen is a city in the center of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 582,000 (as of December 31, 2006) makes it the 7th- or 8th-largest city in Germany. The city was recently appointed European Capital of Culture for 2010 representing the whole Ruhr Area and is both member of and seat to several regional authorities, most importantly the Regionalverband Ruhr.
Formerly one of Germany's most important coal and steel centers, Essen has developed a strong tertiary sector of industry and is home to 13 of the 100 largest German corporations. Historically, it has been linked to the centuries-old Krupp family iron works. The city was chosen in 1958 to serve as the seat of a Roman-Catholic diocese, the Diocese of Essen (Ruhrbistum). In early 2003, the universities of Essen and its neighboring city of Duisburg (both established in 1972) were merged into the University of Duisburg-Essen with campuses in both cities and a university hospital in Essen.

Zeche und Kokerei Zollverein
Coal mine (built in 1932, closed in 1986) and coking plant (built in 1961, closed in 1993). Visitors now have access to the precincts, which frequently house temporary art exhibitions. Once the largest coal mine in the world, it has been awarded World Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO. Zollverein is an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Villa Hügel
Built at the end of the 19th century by industrial magnate Alfred Krupp, the real estate register formerly consideredthe 269-room mansion (8100 m²) as a single-family home. Today it often houses temporary art exhibitions and music concerts.

Essen Cathedral
14th-century cathedral with a westwork and crypt from the 10th century, rebuilt in 1958; not spectacular in appearance, but having some exquisite objects on display in the attached treasure house: Artworks from around 1000 AD, a crown of Emperor Otto III), the oldest preserved sculpture of the Virgin Mary in the world (Goldene Madonna, commonly referred to as Essen sein Schatz, in English, Essen's Treasure).

Alte Synagoge
The Jewish community inaugurated the synagogue in 1913. Destroyed by fire in the Nazi pogroms of 1938, it was restored after World War II. It stands as the largest synagogue north of the Alps.

Essen city hall
Germany's highest city hall (106 metres), built from 1971 to 1979. Free guided tours offer a view from the 22nd floor, overlooking the city from 100 m above ground.

RWE tower
The 2nd-highest skyscraper in North Rhine Westphalia and corporate headquarters of the second largest electric power company in Germany (after E.ON) RWE AG, situated across the street from the Aalto theatre (Opernplatz 1).

Aalto Theater
Popular theatre designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, opened in 1988.

Essen-Werden
Once a town of its own, it became a borough of Essen in 1929; the center of the town has partly retained its medieval townscape with many pubs and restaurants. It stands near the Lake Baldeney and hosts the Folkwang College of Music and Performing Arts.

Kettwig
Located south of the Ruhr river, and also once a town of its own, it was incorporated in 1975. Until today, residents of Kettwig can only be called using an area code different from that of the rest of Essen. Additionally (allegedly because of relatively high church tax incomes), the Archbishop of Cologne managed to keep Kettwig part of the Archbishopric of Cologne, whereas all other parts of Essen and some neighbouring cities constitute the Diocese of Essen (Ruhrbistum).