Frankfurt am Main

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City in Hessen, Germany, 72 km/45 mi northeast of Mannheim; population (2003 est) 648,000. It is an industrial, commercial, and banking centre, with electrical and machine industries, and an inland port on the River Main. Manufacturing includes pharmaceuticals, machinery, metals, oil products, and beer. The city hosts major international trade fairs, including the International Book Fair held here annually in the autumn. It is the site of the Bundesbank (German Central Bank), and the European Central Bank (from 1999).

Founded as a Roman town in the 1st century AD, Frankfurt was a free imperial city from 1372–1806, when it was incorporated into Prussia. It was the headquarters of the US zone of occupation after World War II and of the Anglo–US zone from 1947–49. It was the birthplace of the poet Goethe.

The emblem reflects the Vatican's importance as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The colours of the flag are based on the gold and silver of the papal keys. Effective date: 8 June 1929. >>