Ludwigshafen: Hochstraße Nord mit Auffahrt Kurt-Schumacher-Brücke © Rhein-Neckar
EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE Central location, optimum links
The Metropolitan Region Rhine-Neckar lies at the intersection of the Federal States of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. It extends from the Palatinate Forest in the west to the Odenwald and Kraichgau in the east, from the French border in the south-west up to and including the Hessian Ried in the north.
| Agriculture | 41,7 percent |
| Forestry | 37,9 percent |
| Settlement and traffic | 17,8 percent |
| Water | 1,9 percent |
| Total | 5.637 km² |
With seven rural districts and eight independent cities, the region comprises a total of 290 municipalities. Its largest cities are Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg. In addition to these three major centres, there are 30 mid-sized centres across the region. Approx. 2.4 million people live in this area of around 5,600 km². In the Odenwald and Palatinate there are rural areas with fewer than 100 inhabitants per km². This balance between urban centres and rural life is, in many ways, one of the region’s great strengths.
Kommunen der Rhein-Neckar-RegionThe Metropolitan Region Rhine-Neckar is well connected to the national and european road and rail network.
A total of eight motorways cross the region. These include the important A6 on the east-west European axis and the major north-south links A5/A67 and A61/A65 © Rhein-Neckar
Mannheim’s main railway station is Germany’s second largest hub for ICE high speed rail services with approx. 240 long-distance departures daily. Frankfurt International Airport is only 30 minutes by train from Mannheim. Travellers can reach France’s capital city Paris on the new high speed railway line in just three and a half hours © Rhein-Neckar
The Mannheim marshalling yard, the second largest of its kind in Germany, and the Port of Mannheim/Ludwigshafen, the second largest inland port in Europe, are further key interfaces in European freight traffic. © Rhein-Neckar
BASF bei Nacht © Rhein-Neckar
DYNAMIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Strong location. Strong economy.
Approximately 160,000 companies make Rhine-Neckar one of Germany's most powerful economic engines. Ten of the Top 100 listed companies have their headquarters here. In addition to global corporations such as BASF, SAP, Roche, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HeidelbergCement, KSB and Fuchs Petrolub, many SMEs, hidden champions and innovative start-ups have made their home in the region. The economy in Rhine-Neckar is characterised by a healthy mix of future-oriented industries. Key sectors include plant and mechanical engineering, automotive, chemicals, IT, energy, biotechnology, life sciences and health. In all industries, companies from Rhine-Neckar occupy top national or international positions.
Economic performance (2015)
| Gross domestic product |
€ 95,3 billion € 38.798 per inhabitant |
| Gross value added |
€ 85,8 billion € 91.600 per employed person |
| Economic performance by sector |
Agriculture and forestry: 0,7 percent Manufacturing: 36,8 percent Services: 62,5 percent |
Konjunkturberichte Arbeitsmarktberichte der Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar Wirtschafts-, Arbeitsmarkt- und Sozial-Monitoring
Schloss Mannheim © Rhein-Neckar
WIDE RANGE OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS Excellence for the world of tomorrow.
University and non-university research institutions in Rhine-Neckar enjoy a worldwide reputation and cultivate a productive transfer of knowledge with manufacturing industry. State-owned and private universities and colleges accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities have played a key role in establishing Rhine-Neckar as a scientific location. However, it is also home to more than 30 renowned research institutions, including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, four Max Planck Institutes, the German Cancer Research Center and the Center for European Economic Research.
National and international ranking lists regularly confirm the excellence of region’s science – which is also underlined by the 16 Nobel laureates who are biographically or scientifically linked to the Rhine-Neckar region.
Hochschulen und Forschungseinrichtungen
Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim © Rhein-Neckar
DIVERSE CULTURAL AND LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES Lively. Varied.
More than 230 museums, 110 theatres and countless concerts and festivals fill the regional calendar of events. Four UNESCO World Heritage sites and more than 120 castles and palaces bear witness to an eventful past.
The varied landscapes of three nature parks in one of the sunniest regions of Germany are a paradise for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. Enjoy motorsport at the Hockenheimring, first division ice hockey (Adler Mannheim), handball (Rhine-Neckar Löwen, TSG Ludwigshafen-Friesenheim) and football (1899 Hoffenheim) from the stands – and participate yourself at more than 2,700 clubs.
Connoisseurs love the regional cuisine and top restaurants as well as famous wines from four growing areas. And the people of Rhine-Neckar love their many hundreds of traditional wine and folk festivals.
Kulturmagazin Rhein-Neckar Wosonst: Das Reise- und Heimatmagazin Upgrade: Leben und Arbeiten in Rhein-Neckar Museen, Burgen und Schlösser Freizeit-, Natur- und Tierparks Theater und Lichtspielhäuser Aktiv in der Rhein-Neckar-Region Schwimmen, Baden und Wellness Gourmetregion Rhein-Neckar Tourismusbüros