"City Overview" Frankfurt am Main by shiran_d

The sixth biggest city in Germany, Frankfurt on Main (Frankfurt am Main) has gained enormous economic power – both within Germany and abroad – thanks to its position as a key transport hub and its status as a major venue for international trade fairs and other business events. Located in the centre of Europe, the city is the financial heart not only of Germany but also of the European Union, pumping formerly Deutschmarks and now Euros into the world economy. Frankfurt’s long and successful history of commerce stemmed initially from its central geographical location on the Main River and was cemented by the Imperial inauguration of a fair as early as 1240. Its substantial political prestige is based on a fortunate history of decisive events: In 1356, Frankfurt became the election city for future monarchs; in 1372, it was declared a Free Imperial City, answerable only to the Kaiser; and from 1562, the coronations of German emperors were held in the city’s Cathedral of St Bartholomew. The Frankfurt Börse (Stock Exchange) began trading in 1585.

• In a nutshell:Trade has given the city a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural flair