Geography of Essen
Essen, Germany, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia state, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Cologne. Located in a rich coal field, Essen is the manufacturing hub of the Ruhr industrial region and site of the huge Krupp iron and steel works. Besides iron and steel, the city produces motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, textiles, glass, and furniture. Most of Essen has been rebuilt since World War II. Of the few remaining historical structures the most notable is the 11th-century cathedral, which houses a gold madonna statue made in the 900's. In the Folkwang Museum is an important collection of modern art. The Krupp Museum traces the development of German heavy industry.
Essen dates from the ninth century when a Benedictine abbey was established here. The town remained small and insignificant until the founding of the Krupp steel works about 1810.
Population: 627,800.