STATE OF NRW

Latter day Germany is a curious country shaped enormously over recent decades. Over time, a patchwork of small and large states has come into being. Since 1990 there are a total of sixteen federal states. Some are cities, others vast geographical regions. Some are heavily populated, others not. Some possess strong economies, others are highly underfunded.

The federal system spreads responsibility. Success is spread amongst many levels of the country’s political and administrative institutions with weaker states receiving from those with stronger finances.

With some eighteen million residents, North-Rhine Westphalia has the highest population of all states. The seat of parliament is nearby Düsseldorf. Image © Tourismus NRW, Oliver Franke.