Gelsenkirchen Germany — Former City Of Coal Mining

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Gelsenkirchen Germany is a city in the state North Rhine-Westphalia. It lies within the "Coal Heart" of Germany and has a population of 270,000 inhabitants.

First documented in 1150, Gelsenkirchen remained a tiny village until the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution led to the growth of the entire area. In 1840, the mining of coal began, while 6000 inhabitants lived in this German city.

This number increased in the early 20th century when the city became Europe's most important coal mining town. It was called the "city of a thousand fires," because it consisted (and still consists) of smoking stacks.

During the Nazi era, Gelsenkirchen remained a center of coal production and oil refining. For this reason, it was bombed by British terror raids in World War II.

Today, there are no collieries any more, but it still has a coal fired power station with Germany's tallest chimney (302m/991ft).

In addition, it owns the largest solar power plant of Germany.

ZOOM Erlebniswelt (Event World)

ZOOM Park

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The ZOOM park in Gelsenkirchen Germany offers on a surface of approx. 31 hectares over 500 animals of 100 animal species. Highlights are the underwater glass tunnel in the seal basin, the bear plant called "Alaska Ice Adventure," which simulates a rapid travel in a iglu on a ice floe, and the sea-lion plant, which is the largest of Europe.

In addition, you will find the Grimberger Hof (Grimberg Yard) which is in style of a Westfalia farm. It consists of a stroking zoo, a cosy beer garden, as well as a responding climbing playground.

The FIFA World Cup 2006™ was a gift for this city and its stadium, which we are going to visit now...

Warmly,

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