Country | Germany |
Population | 632865 |
Area | 207.33 km2 (80.05 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
Coordinates | 48.78232, 9.17702 |
Highest elevation | 245 m (804 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Stuttgart, the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, is situated on the Neckar River in a fertile valley known as the Stuttgarter Kessel. Just an hour from the Swabian Jura and the Black Forest, the city is known for its unique layout spanning hills, valleys, and parks, with some hills adorned with vineyards. As of 2022, Stuttgart has a population of 632,865, making it the sixth largest city in Germany. The greater Stuttgart region is home to over 2.8 million people, while its metropolitan area boasts nearly 5.5 million residents, making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Germany.
Stuttgart’s economic strength is significant, consistently ranking among the top four European metropolitan areas by GDP. The city was listed 21st on Mercer’s 2015 list of cities by quality of living, ranked 24th globally in the Innovation Cities Index by 2thinknow, and received Beta-status in the Globalization and World Cities Research Network’s 2020 survey. It also hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and 2006.
The city’s history dates back to the seventh millennium BC when the region was an important agricultural area. The Romans conquered the area in AD 83, establishing a significant castrum near Bad Cannstatt. Stuttgart was founded in the 10th century by Liudolf, Duke of Swabia, as a stud farm for warhorses and was granted a charter in 1320. It became the capital of the House of Württemberg’s county, duchy, and kingdom from the 15th century until 1918. Despite suffering during the Thirty Years’ War and World War II, Stuttgart emerged as a major cultural, economic, industrial, financial, tourism, and publishing center by 1952.
Stuttgart is renowned as the “cradle of the automobile,” housing iconic museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum. The city is also known as Germany’s “Autohauptstadt” (“car capital”). The city’s tourism slogan is “Stuttgart offers more,” while for business, it promotes itself as “Where business meets the future.” The Stuttgart 21 project, launched in March 2008, introduced a new logo and slogan: “Das neue Herz Europas” (“The new Heart of Europe”).
Stuttgart is a hub for high-tech industries, especially in the automotive sector, home to major corporations like Porsche, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz Group. It serves as an important financial center with Germany’s second largest stock exchange and the largest Landesbank, LBBW. The city’s infrastructure includes one of Europe’s most congested conurbations and Germany’s sixth-busiest airport as of 2019.
The city is notable for its high number of immigrants; around 40% of its residents and 64% of the population under the age of five have an immigrant background, compared to 28.7% in the rest of Germany. This diversity enriches Stuttgart’s vibrant cultural landscape, contributing to its reputation as a dynamic and inclusive city.
Stuttgart’s combination of historical significance, economic prowess, cultural vibrancy, and diverse population makes it a unique and thriving metropolis in the heart of Europe.
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