The Metropolitan region of the Rhein Neckar is in the south west of Germany, where the three counties of Baden-Württemberg, Hessen and Rheinland-Pfalz meet. 2.4 million people live in this metropolitan area, which is not only strongly influenced by towns like Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg, Worms, Speyer, Heppenheim or Mosbach, but also by its wonderful countryside in the Odenwald forest and the Pfalz (the Palatinate).
People in business, science, politics and administration work closely together beyond the county boundaries. This close cooperation is viewed as a key factor to the success of the Rhein-Neckar region.
Along with its neighbouring counties – Frankfurt/Rhein-Main in the north and Karlsruhe/Stuttgart in the south – the Metropolitan region of the Rhein-Neckar represents a powerful area in the centre of Europe.
In 2006 the European metropolitan region was officially recognised under a treaty which was signed. This introduced close collaboration between public authorities, business and science – the unique model has been expanded and introduced nationwide.
The Metropolitan Rhein-Neckar region, leading in business
The Rhein-Neckar region is one of the main driving forces in Germany with various global players and a large number of DAX companies. (DAX – those companies listed on the stock exchange). The area is also home to numerous medium-sized companies with a lot of influence. In 2012 the region’s gross value lay at 72.1 thousand million (US billion) euros. Almost 59% of goods produced are exported. The main branches represented are: the automotive industry, chemicals, data processing, biotechnology, life sciences, energy as well as culture and creativity in business.
The Rhein-Neckar Metropolitan region, creativity and research
The 22 high schools in the Rhein-Neckar-Region provide an ideal environment for developing innovative technology. They do this in cooperation with a large number of renowned research institutes such as the European laboratory for molecular biology and the German cancer research centre. More than twice as many specialists are employed in research in the Mannheim-Heidelberg-Ludwigshafen area than the national average. A very valuable transfer of know-how from theory into practice is ensured by the close cooperation of high schools, research institutes and business.
There is hardly any other region which has such a great tradition of striving for scientific recognition than the Rhein-Neckar. In 1386 the first German university was founded in Heidelberg. These days about 95,000 students are enrolled in the high schools in the area. (Winter term of 2013/14) One in ten of these students are from abroad.
The Rhein-Neckar-Region offers everything that makes our lives enjoyable and worthwhile. There are more than 80 theatres both large and small, more than 200 museums and galeries as well as large numbers of festivals providing great richness. of culture. There are 3 world cultural heritage sites (Lorsch Abbey, Limes, Speyer Cathedral) as well as 200 castles, cathedrals and palaces which shape the countryside with its wonderful history. These include world-renowned places like the palaces in Mannheim, Heidelberg, Schwetzingen and Hambach and, of course, the Mannheim Wasserturm. (Watertower)
The Metropolitan Rhein-Neckar region, relaxing and exciting
Outside the large busy towns lovers of nature can find their peace in the forests in 3 nature parks (Pfälzerwald, Neckartal-Odenwald, Geopark Bergstraße-Odenwald). A variety of regional food, excellent cuisine and award-winning wines from our 4 wine growing areas would make any gourmet’s heart pulsate with pleasure.