DÜSSELDORF on the Rhine is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, the largest German Federal State in terms of population.
The city houses 587,000 inhabitants, and also supports a growing number of tourists – with about three million overnight stays and more million dayvisitors, Düsseldorf is a popular all year round city destination in Germany.
Shopping in Königsallee in the historic centre of the city is popular among tourists, especially during Advent season, when an impressive number of Christmas markets emerge.
By night, the historic centre holds the Longest Bar of the World, with more than 200 restaurants, bars, and taverns and is the homeland of Alt Beer – a real Düsseldorf speciality. Other attractions include the media harbour Medienhafen and the Benrath Palace.
During the Carnival, from February 11to 15, 2010, millions of masquerading people sing and dance in parades promenading through the streets. The town guards also perform traditional horse parades in summer. And the biggest funfair at the Rhine lasts from July 18 to 26 with a looping roller coaster, a big wheel, and an exciting water-ride. At the Japan Day on June 13, pyrotechnists from the Far East light splendid illustrative fireworks.
Düsseldorf is one of the most important economic regions of Europe. The fair Messe Düsseldorf presents about 40 international trade fairs. Another centre of attraction is the Düsseldorf Congress, the biggest location provider. Düsseldorf has the most modern infrastructure of entertainment sites in Germany offering the LTU-Arena, ISS-Dome, the sports hall Burg-Wächter Castello, and the entertainment hall Philipshalle.
Concerts in the LTU-Arena are Depeche Mode on June 4 to 5 and Coldplay on August 27. In sportive terms different events cause furore: the Metro Group Marathon on May 3 and the Arag World Team Cup, tennis team world championship, from May 17 to 23. The FIS Cross-Country Skiing World Cup at the Rhine riverside at the end of the year is another event not worth missing.