Heidelberg
Heidlberg (Palatine German) | |
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Coordinates: 49°25′N 08°43′E / 49.417°N 8.717°E | |
Country | Germany |
State | Baden-Württemberg |
Admin. region | Karlsruhe |
District | Urban district |
Government | |
• Lord mayor (2022–30) | Eckart Würzner[1] (Ind.) |
Area | |
• Total | 108.83 km2 (42.02 sq mi) |
Elevation | 114 m (374 ft) |
Population (2022-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 162,273 |
• Density | 1,500/km2 (3,900/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Postal codes | 69115–69126 |
Dialling codes | 06221 |
Vehicle registration | HD |
Website | heidelberg.de |
Heidelberg (German: [ˈhaɪdl̩bɛʁk] ; Palatine German: Heidlberg) is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914, of which roughly a quarter consisted of students.[3]
Located about 78 km (48 mi) south of Frankfurt, Heidelberg is the fifth-largest city in Baden-Württemberg. Heidelberg is part of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region.
Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, is Germany's oldest and one of Europe's most reputable universities.[4] Heidelberg is a scientific hub in Germany and home to several internationally renowned research facilities adjacent to its university, including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and four Max Planck Institutes.[5] The city has also been a hub for the arts, especially literature, throughout the centuries, and it was designated a "City of Literature" by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Heidelberg was a seat of government of the former Electorate of the Palatinate and is a popular tourist destination due to its romantic cityscape, including Heidelberg Castle, the Philosophers' Walk, and the Baroque old town.