The City of Bonn is situated in North Rhine-Westphalia. North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous among the 16 German states and home to 18 million people. Vast ancient Roman settlements, a plethora of medieval cathedrals and outstanding 19th century industrial sites bear witness to its rich and eventful history. Among them are five UNESCO World Heritage sites: Aachen Cathedral, Cologne Cathedral, the Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at Brühl, the Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey and the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen.
The City of Bonn is located on the banks of the Rhine and home to 320.000 inhabitants. Founded as a Roman settlement, it is one of Germany’s oldest cities. It became the seat of archbishops and prince electors and university town. From 1949 to 1990 Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (West-Germany) and remained seat of the government until 1999.
Today it is Germany’s second political center and home to six federal ministries and a number of national authorities. Moreover, it continues to be the second official residency of the President and the Chancellor of Germany. Apart from that, the city has become a center of international cooperation and Germany’s United Nations city. A staff of roughly 1,000 employees is working from the banks of the Rhine in 18 United Nations agencies, amongst them the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and UNESCO's International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC). A number of large conferences have taken place in Bonn, helping to advance global strategies and to form alliances towards a sustainable future.
For visitors, the Beethoven House, birthplace of the famous composer, the outstanding medieval church Bonner Münster and a range of top-rated museums make Bonn a rewarding destination. The city offers a metropolitan cultural scene, and the scenic landscape of the Rhine valley attracts visitors from all over the world.
Further Information
Bonn International (Information for expats and international visitors)
