Central Eastern Europe DORTMUND 2018 Dortmund is a German city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is part of the Arnsberg Government Region and has about 590,000 inhabitants and is in the Ruhr Area. Founded around 882, Dortmund became an Imperial Free City. Throughout the 13th to 14th centuries, it was the "chief city" of the Rhine, Westphalia, and the Netherlands Circle of the Hanseatic League. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia 2018 During the Thirty Years' War, the city was destroyed and decreased in significance until the onset of industrialization. The city then became one of Germany's most important coal, steel and beer centres. Dortmund consequently was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Germany during World War II. The region has adapted since the collapse of its century-long steel and coal industries and shifted to high-technology biomedical technology, micro systems technology, and also services. Reinoldikirche and Marienkirche, Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund's city centre offers a picture full of contrasts. Historic buildings like Altes Stadthaus or the Krugerpassage rub shoulders with post-war architecture like Gesundheitshaus and concrete constructions with Romanesque churches like the Reinoldikirche and the Marienkirche. Thus, the city today is characterized by simple and modest post-war buildings, with a few interspersed pre-war buildings which were reconstructed due to their historical importance. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. The new opera house Opernhaus Dortmund opened in 1966 to serve as a venue for operas, ballets, concerts, and for plays which require a big stage. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. The German Football Museum is located close to the main train station and is part of an art and culture mile between the creative center Dortmunder U and the Konzerthaus Dortmund. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018. Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2018.