Around 374,000 people inhabit an area of approx. 144 km².

Bochum became known as a result of the Ruhr University which was opened in 1965 with more than 33,000 students, the German Mining Museum, Germany’s mining industry centre, the theatre which also became famous due to its directors, the planetarium and the Jahrhunderthalle, a hall which is used for diverse events such as the Ruhr Triennale, just to name a few.

Adam Opel AG opened three plants in Bochum in 1962 which became a symbol for the structural change in the Ruhr area.

The last mine in Bochum closed in 1973. The mining town had turned into a service metropolis over the course of the years.

In addition to extended industrial zones, green areas which almost had a rural appearance especially developed in the south part of Bochum as far as the River Ruhr and Lake Kemnader. The Kemnader reservoir which was taken into service in 1980, quickly turned into a popular local recreation area.

The music scene cannot be imagined without the Bochum Symphony Orchestra which has been under its general Music Director Steven Sloane since 1994 and it has developed into a highlight in NRW.

The German singer Herbert Grönemeyer has erected a musical memorial in honour of his home town with his song“ Bochum, ich komm aus dir" (Bochum, I come from you).

More on Bochum: www.bochum.de