10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia

For centuries, Dusseldorf and its neighbor Cologne have been engaged in friendly rivalry. When it comes to business, art or even tradition, the western German cities are keen to outdo each other. In terms of modern architecture, Dusseldorf arguably has the edge, with its Rhine Tower, the Gehry buildings (center) and the Media Harbor.

The city's most famous landmark, Cologne Cathedral is known the world over. Towering almost 160 meters (about 520 feet) high, it dominates the skyline. The foundations were laid in 1248, but the cathedral wasn't completed until the 19th century. Inside, the Shrine of the Three Kings, a masterpiece crafted in gold and said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men, is well worth a visit.

Every year, Carnival revelers conquer the cities along the Rhine in the run-up to Ash Wednesday. Millions dress up in colorful costumes and celebrate in the streets and in pubs. Things get particularly wild in Cologne, which hosts Germany's biggest Rose Monday parade: Around 12,000 carnival revelers parade through the streets, throwing sweets to onlookers.

Another particularly notable city in the western German state is Bonn. It saw its heyday as the capital of West Germany from the postwar period right up to reunification in 1990. Some of the old government buildings are now open to the public for visits, while others have retained their function as ministerial centers. DW's headquarters is located in the Schürmann-Bau building.

North Rhine-Westphalia doesn't just attract city slickers; it's also a heaven for nature-lovers. With its varied landscapes, the Eifel mountain range is a big hit among cycling and hiking enthusiasts. The national park prides itself on protecting the three Ws: water, wildlife and woodland. More than 7,800 animal and plant species have been identified, of which a quarter are listed as endangered.

In 1978, Aachen's cathedral became the first German building to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Commissioned by Charles the Great, or Charlemagne as he is better known, the cathedral's foundations were laid in the year 796. The Aachen Cathedral Treasury houses the famous 14th-century Bust of Charlemagne. The leader himself is buried at the church.

When it comes to biking, Münster reigns supreme. The city of 300,000 inhabitants, apparently home to 400,000 bicycles, is synonymous with cycling, as seen in this photograph of the Prinzipalmarkt square. The Promenade ring road, which circles the city, is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists. With more than 55,000 students, Münster is also a well-known university town.

Höxter's Corvey Abbey, once home to Benedictine monks, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of the most important examples of Carolingian architecture. The abbey's Princely Library, where the poet Hoffmann von Fallersleben once worked as a librarian, boasts a collection of 75,000 books.

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a magnet for visitors. The site once housed one of Europe's largest coal mines and coking plants. Today, like Aachen Cathedral and Corvey Abbey, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old industrial buildings are now centers of art and culture, and the on-site swimming pool attracts huge crowds in the summer.

The Ruhr area is also famous for football; supposedly, there are more regular players here than anywhere else in Germany. Big teams, like Dortmund and Cologne, are known all over the world. A meeting of the two teams is a must-see event!