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Cologne ( German: Köln [ˈkœln]) (population 965,954 as of December 31, 2003), is the fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the North Rhine-Westphalia state. It is one of the most important German inland ports, and considered the economic, cultural, and historic capital of the Rhineland.
Its location at the intersection of the Rhine (German Rhein) river with one of the major trade routes between eastern and western Europe was the foundation of Cologne's commercial importance. In the Middle Ages it also became an ecclesiastical center of significance and an important center of art and learning. Cologne was badly damaged during World War II.
Today, it is the seat of a university, which is renowned for its economics faculty and the see of a Roman Catholic archbishop and cardinal. Cologne cathedral, the largest Gothic church in northern Europe, was designated a World Heritage site in 1996; it is the city's major landmark and unofficial symbol. The city is 43% Roman Catholic, 18% Protestant and 39% other religions. Until World War II and the following stream of refugees arriving from Eastern Germany, Roman Catholicism had a wide majority in Cologne.
The city covers about 405.15 km² (about 156 miles²), is located at 50° 56′33" North 06° 57′32" East and is between 37.5 and 118.04 m mFor other uses of "metre" and "meter", see Metre (disambiguation). The metre is the basic unit of length in the International System of Units (SI: Systeme International d'Unites). It is defined as the length of the path travelled by light in absolute vacu above sea level.
The three crowns symbolise the Magi or Three KingsThe Three Wise Men also known as the Three Magi (from the Greek text) or the Three Kings in Christian mythology refer to the "wise men from the east" (KJV), who are mentioned solely in the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12). They arrived in Judea saying, "Where i whose bones are said to be kept in a gold sarcophagus in the Cathedral (see Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne CathedralUnknown facts about The shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne cathedral 1180?: The construction of the golden shrine started, because 1180 : Philip of Heinsberg received the honour-title "Regulus of Westfalia", (Gelnhauser Urkunde 1180) 1180 : The construc). The eleven flames are a reminder of the Britannic princess St. Ursula and her legendary 11,000 virgin companions who were supposedly martyred at Cologne for their Christian faith by Attila the HunFor other uses, see Attila (disambiguation). Huns, led by Attila (right, foreground), ride into Italy. Attila the Hun (c. 406 453), last and most powerful king of the European Huns, reigned from 434 until his death over what was then Europe's largest empi in 383Events January 19 Arcadius is elevated as Roman Emperor. Roman troops in Britain proclaim Magnus Maximus Roman Emperor. He crosses over to the continent and makes Trier his capital. Gaul, the Italian provinces and Hispania proclaim loyalty to him. Battle A.D. In reality it was probably just 11 companions.