Mannheim (Germany)

Mannheim is a Rhine River cruise port and the 3rd-largest city in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state (after Stuttgart and Karlsruhe). With population around 310,000 (metro around 2,4 million) the city is among Germany's 20 biggest. Mannheim is located at the center of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar Metro, which by population (2,4 million) is ranked Germany's 8th-largest metro region.

Mannheim City is at the confluence of Rhine and Neckar rivers, in state's northwestern corner. Rhine River separates Mannheim from Ludwigshafen (to the west, in Rhineland-Palatinate state). The border of Baden-Württemberg with Hesse state is to the north. Mannheim is also downstream along Neckar River from Heidelberg. Unusual for most German cities, Mannheim 's streets are laid out in a grid pattern, leading to the nickname "die Quadratestadt" ("city of the squares"). The 18th century Mannheim Palace (former residence of Palatinate Prince-elector during Holy Roman Empire / 800-1806 AD) today houses Mannheim University.

In the city are headquartered major production corporations, including ABB, Caterpillar, Daimler, John Deere, Fuchs Petrolub, IBM, Reckitt Benckiser, Siemens, Roche, Unilever, Phoenix Group. SAP Arena is city's multi-purpose stadium, primarily used for handball and ice-hockey. Since 2014, the city is part of UNESCO Creative Cities Network and also holds the title "UNESCO City of Music".