Bochum is part of the Ruhrgebiet, or Ruhr area, and the centre of Germany’s heavy industry. The city is situated between the highlands of Bergisches Land in the south which includes the River Ruhr and Lake Kemnade, and the flat Münsterland area in the north.

Due to its watery location, the city enjoys many leisure and recreation areas for boating and swimming. The 10 kilometre Lake Kemnade has plenty of walking, jogging and biking tracks. Bochum has some interesting museums showcasing the city’s industrial history. Röhlinghausen is located in the former mine Zeche Hannover with the Malakov Tower, a mining tower with a characteristic design used mostly in continental Europe during the 1850s to 1870s, and a steam-powered winding engine. Zeche Knirps is also located there offering the chance to experience mine processing of the past. Back above ground, a collection of sculptures inside the Municipal Park offers further insight into the city’s history. Museum Bochum also houses a collection of post-war paintings, drawings and sculptures of middle-European and east-European avant-garde, surrealistic and German expressionism.

The nearest international airport is Düsseldorf, about 50 kilometres from Bochum. There are regular services from the Airport Terminal to Bochum Hbf, the main station. Taxis are also available. Ample buses, underground, trams and the S-Bahn serve the city. Bochum is situated at the intersection of highway A40 and A43.

In 1850, Bochum was a small town of about 4,500 inhabitants, growing to 300,000 in 1935. Bochum is home to the first university to open in the Ruhr Area, which was opened in 1965. Today it is one of the largest universities in the country, with an excellent reputation.