Land: North Rhine-Westphalia
Bochum, in the heart of the Ruhr, between the rivers Emscher and Ruhr, offers a textbook example of the structural change which is taking place in the economy of this region. This town which owed its rise to coal and steel no longer has any mines and has acquired new
industrial and commercial interests. In addition to its traditional steel industry it now manufactures cars (Opel) and radio and television sets. In the scientific and cultural field it has the Ruhr University (opened 1965), the Institute of Environmental Research and Futurology and its Schauspielhaus (Theater). It is also the home of the German Shakespeare Society.