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Population: approx. 245.885
Surface area: 160,85 km²

Aachen is the largest and eponymous municipality of the StaedteRegion Aachen. As a spa already known during the times of the Romans, the city is therefore also called Bad Aachen. Nowadays, the city of Aachen is both touristically and scientifically important. The center of Aachen is characterized by many buildings dating back to the year 800 A.D. and the history of Aachen as a coronation city and later bishopric of the Catholic Church. RWTH Aachen, one of the largest universities in the country, is one of the elite universities in Europe, particularly for technical and medical subjects. The university clinic is known all over the world. Due to its  borders to Belgium and Holland, Aachen is also characterized by international trade. The so-called Aachener Printen, a pastry similar to gingerbread, are famous all over the world. Aachen is also well-known for equastrian sport. Each year, the CHIO attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.