Founded by the Romans, "Colonia" – today's Cologne, the oldest city in Germany – is still characterized by its 2000 year history. With a population of just over one million, it is also the fourth-largest city in Germany. And it is one of the most important crossroads in Western Europe, where its central location on the river Rhine still ensures that commerce and industry continue to flourish in this international trade fair centre.

All the high-speed trains stop here, whether Thalys/Eurostar, or City Night Express. With ICE high speed train the Frankfurt-airport can be reached in 55 minutes. Airport Cologne/Bonn and the nearby Dusseldorf-Airport provide worldwide connections with over 200 destinations. Most of the new low cost carriers start from here

As an international trade fair and conference centre with over 250 hotels and nearly 24 000 beds, Cologne is always ready to welcome its visitors.
The Cologne Trade Fair Centre KölnMesse serving for 25 industries with its pilot fairs is the number one among the trade fairs venues. Every year over 30,000 exhibitors and 1.4 million visitors from 170 countries to attend the roughly 50 trade fairs and exhibitions. The best known exhibitions include Photokina, Anuga, Orgatec, Furniture Fair, Domotechnika, and Art Cologne.

Cologne is also known as the "Media and communications city" thanks to its unique blend of art, culture and creativity forming an ideal basis for media and broadcasting companies. No fewer than eleven broadcasting companies are domiciled in Cologne, including WDR – Westdeutscher Rundfunk – the largest in Europe.
It is also a centre of excellence for research and academia. 85,000 students are enrolled at Cologne University and the city's various colleges.