Aachen - Germany

**Aachen: Where History Meets Innovation** Located at the northern foothills of the High Fens and Eifel Mountains, Aachen is a city that seamlessly blends rich history with modern innovation. As the 13th-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia and the 27th-largest city of Germany, Aachen boasts around 261,000 inhabitants who call this vibrant city home. Strategically situated on the Wurm River, a tributary of the Rur, Aachen is the westernmost larger city in Germany, bordering Belgium to the southwest and the Netherlands to the northwest. This unique location has contributed to the city's cultural diversity and strong connections with neighboring countries. **A City Steeped in History** Aachen's storied past dates back to the 1st century when Roman pioneers settled at the warm thermal springs, establishing a Celtic settlement equipped with several thermae. Following the withdrawal of the Roman troops, the Franks Germanized the vicus Aquae Granni around the 5th century. This marked the beginning of a period of sedentism under Merovingian and Carolingian rule, ultimately leading to Aachen's constitution as the main royal residence of the Frankish Empire ruled by Charlemagne. **A Hub for Education and Innovation** Today, Aachen is renowned for its academic excellence, with one of Germany's leading institutes of higher education in technology, the RWTH Aachen University. The university hospital Uniklinikum Aachen, Europe's largest single-building hospital, further solidifies the city's reputation as a center for scientific advancement. **A Thriving Economy** Aachen's economy is driven by industries such as science, engineering, and information technology. Ranked eighth among cities in Germany for innovation in 2009, Aachen continues to attract businesses and entrepreneurs seeking a dynamic environment for growth. **Cultural Attractions and Local Traditions** As a Rhenish city, Aachen is one of the main centers of carnival celebrations in Germany, along with Cologne and Mainz. Visitors can experience the vibrant atmosphere during these festivities, which showcase the city's unique cultural heritage. The regional dialect spoken in the city, a Central Franconian, Ripuarian variant with strong Limburgish influences, reflects Aachen's rich linguistic diversity. Additionally, the city is famous for its culinary specialty, Aachener Printen, a type of gingerbread that has become an iconic local treat. **Quality of Life** Aachen offers an exceptional quality of life, with high scores in amenities (A+), commute (A), health (A), and culture (A+). The city's Childcare & Education score is also impressive (A+), making it an attractive destination for families. While the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) score is slightly lower (B-), Aachen's overall rating remains strong, with a total score of B+. However, residents and visitors should note that noise levels can be higher than average (D-). In conclusion, Aachen is a city that skillfully balances its rich history with modern innovation, offering an exceptional quality of life for its inhabitants.

Aachen

Aachen
Country: Germany
Population: 252136
Elevation: 173
Area: 160.85
Web: https://www.aachen.de/
Area code: 0241 / 02405 / 02407 / 02408