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RUWuppertal: The “Big Green City” in the Heart of North Rhine-Westphalia
Wuppertal is a major German city located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, within the administrative district of Düsseldorf. With a population of 345,425 (as of December 31, 2014), it is the largest city and the key industrial, economic, educational, and cultural hub of the region. Known as the “Big Green City,” Wuppertal is situated just south of the Ruhr area and ranks as the seventeenth largest city in Germany.
The city is home to the European Institute for International Economic Relations. Its most famous landmark is the world’s oldest suspended monorail, a 13.5-km system that has been in operation for over 110 years. Beyond this iconic transport, Wuppertal boasts other significant attractions, including the renowned Pina Bausch Dance Theatre, the historic Stadthalle concert hall, the Opera House, the Von der Heydt Museum of Fine Arts, and the Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden sculpture park.
A special highlight is Wuppertal Zoo. Nestled on hillsides in an expansive park with ancient trees, it is Germany’s third-largest zoo. It is home to approximately 5,000 animals representing nearly 500 species from around the world, such as monkeys, bears, big cats, birds, fish, and even elephants. The zoo also features one of the largest enclosures for king penguins and Europe’s only breeding facility for little penguins. In 2006, the zoo celebrated its 125th anniversary with the “Pinguinale,” and since then, charmingly painted penguin sculptures can be spotted throughout the city.
Wuppertal offers an excellent educational infrastructure, with a total of 61 primary schools, 12 secondary schools (Hauptschulen), 5 comprehensive schools (Gesamtschulen), 8 intermediate schools (Realschulen), and 11 grammar schools (Gymnasien), such as the Wilhelm-Dörpfeld-Gymnasium and the Karl-Fuhlrott-Gymnasium. The city also has 8 private schools, 13 vocational colleges, and 14 special needs schools.
The University of Wuppertal was established in 1972 through the merger of three higher education institutions. It employs around 250 professors across seven faculties, catering to over 19,000 students. In addition to traditional engineering courses (mechanical, electrical, and civil), the university offers unique programs like Safety Technology and highly specific courses such as Health Economics. Alongside numerous bachelor’s and master’s degrees, it is known for highly-regarded, practice-oriented research projects. Since 2008, the university has been affiliated with the European Institute for International Economic Relations. The city is also home to the prestigious Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy.
