Bonn

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Industrial city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 18 km/15 mi southeast of Cologne, on the left bank of the Rhine; population (2003 est) 307,500. Industries include the manufacture of light-metal products, ceramics, office equipment, textiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Bonn was the seat of government of West Germany 1949–90 and of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1990. In 1991 the Bundestag (lower house) voted to move the capital to Berlin. This has taken place in phases, with the major phase in 1998.

Once a Roman outpost (Castra Bonnensia), founded in the 1st century AD), it was devastated by the Normans in the 9th century, and later became the residence (1238–1794) of the electors of Cologne. Bonn was occupied by the French in 1794, annexed in 1801, and passed to Prussia in 1815. Before the 20th century it was important as the residence of the electors and archbishops of Cologne. The Friedrich-Wilhelms University was founded in 1818 (site of an academy founded in 1777) and contains the former palace of the electors (built 1697–1725). Ludwig van Beethoven was born here and the concert hall is named after him. There is an 18th-century Rathaus (town hall), the Munzer Basilica, and the 15th-century Remigiuskirche. There are three new museums, including the Museum of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany (opened in 1994). Since the early 1960s there has been an annual Beethoven Festival.

The bright blue field stands for the Pacific Ocean. The shield is taken from the coat of arms. Effective date: 10 October 1970. >>