Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia
and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. Düsseldorf is an important
international business and financial centre and also renowned for its fashion
and trade fairs. Düsseldorf International Airport, also referred to as Rhein-Ruhr
Airport, is located eight kilometres from the city centre and can easily be
reached by train or the S-Bahn urban railway.
As a city by the River Rhine, Düsseldorf is a stronghold for Rhenish carnival
celebrations. Every year in July more than 4.5 million people visit the city's
Größte Kirmes am Rhein funfair. Düsseldorf is also well-known for its Altbier, a
hoppy beer which translates as old (style) beer, a reference to the pre-lager
brewing method of using a warm top-fermenting yeast like British pale ales.
Rheinturm TV tower is 789 ft tall and with the lights on, comprises of the
world's largest digital clock. Further city landmarks are the eight bridges
which span the River Rhine and the Wilhem Marx House of 1922/24, which at twelve
storeys high, was Germany's first high-rise building. The Königsallee ("King's
Avenue"), is a popular shopping destination. Some of the most reputable
jewellery shops, designer labels, and galleries have their stores here. The
Königsallee has about the highest rents for shops and bureaus in Germany.
