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Cologne
Köln

Cologne (German: Köln? [kœln]; Kölsch: Kölle) is, in terms of population, the fourth largest city in Germany and the largest city of the German province of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is best known for its Cathedral, its uniquely brewed Kölsch beer, the original Eau de Cologne, and its celebration of Carnival and Christopher Street Day.

It is one of the most important German inland ports, and considered the economic, cultural, and historic capital of the Rhineland. It is the 16th largest city in the European Union. At the end of 2004, Cologne's population was 969,709, using the standard method of only counting persons whose primary residence (German: Hauptwohnsitz) was in the city. The city of Cologne includes those with non-primary residences (German: Nebenwohnsitz) in its figure, raising it to 1,022,627.

Its location at the intersection of the river Rhine (German: Rhein) with one of the major trade routes between eastern and western Europe was the foundation of Cologne's commercial importance. In the Middle Ages it also became an ecclesiastical centre of significance and an important centre of arts and education. Cologne was devastated by the Allies during World War II, by the end of which 99% of Cologne's Jewish population had been annihilated.

Cologne is the seat of a Roman Catholic archdiocese. Cologne Cathedral (German: Kölner Dom), a Gothic church, was completed in 1848.

In 1996, it was designated a World Heritage site; it is the city's major landmark and unofficial symbol, and claims to house the relics of the Three Kings. The city is 43% Roman Catholic and 18% Protestant, while 39% of the population professes other religions or none. Until World War II and the ensuing process of urbanisation and influx of refugees from Eastern Germany, Roman Catholics comprised the vast majority of Cologne's residents, and the Catholic cultural influence is strongly present in the city today, particularly regarding the celebration of Carnival.

Cologne has 31 museums. Exhibits range from archeological findings to contemporary painting. Alongside the established places of art exists a thriving arts scene, represented yearly at "Art Cologne", Germany's biggest arts fair.

Cologne is well known for its beer, called Kölsch. Kölsch is also the name of the local dialect. This has led to the common joke that Kölsch is the only language you can drink.

The other liquid that Cologne is famous for is Eau de Cologne. At the beginning of the 18th century, Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina (1685-1766) created a new fragrance and named it after his hometown Cologne, Eau de Cologne (Water from Cologne). In the course of the 18th century the fragrance became increasingly popular. Eventually, Cologne merchant Wilhelm Mülhens secured the name Farina, which at that time had become a household name for Eau de Cologne, under contract and opened a small factory at Cologne's Glockengasse. In later years and under pressure of court battles his grandson Ferdinand Mülhens chose a new name for the firm and their product. It was the house number that was given to the factory at Glockengasse during French occupation of the Rhineland in the early 19th century, number 4711. In 1994, the Mülhens family sold their company to German Wella corporation. Today, original Eau de Cologne (German: Kölnisch Wasser) still is produced in Cologne by both the Farina family (Farina gegenüber since 1709), currently in the eighth generation, and by Procter & Gamble who took over Wella in 2003.

Benin, 1976, Konrad Adenauer and Dom of Cologne

Berlin, 1977, Stained glass window, Basilica of St. Gereon

Berlin, 1980, Helicopter near Cologne Cathedral

Bulgaria, 1985, Dom of Cologne

Bulgaria, 1991, Arm of Cologne

Bulgaria, 2000, LZ-13 over Cologne

Cameroon, 1967, Adenauer and Cologne Cathedral

Cameroon, 1976, Adenauer and Cologne Cathedral

Comoren Islands, 2008, Cologne cathedral, ICE Train

DDR, 1954, Cologne Cathedral, Leipzig Monument

Dominica, 1979, Cologne Cathedral

Dominica, 1992, Cologne Cathedral