Hombruch

Dortmund
From top: Skyline including the Reinoldikirche, Town Hall, Theater Dortmund, Concert Hall, Dortmund U-Tower, Westfalenstadion (Borussia Dortmund)
Flag Coat of arms
Dortmund
Location of Dortmund within Urban district
Coordinates: 51°31′N 7°28′E / 51.517°N 7.467°E / 51.517; 7.467Coordinates: 51°31′N 7°28′E / 51.517°N 7.467°E / 51.517; 7.467
Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region	Arnsberg
District	Urban
Founded	882
Government
• Lord Mayor	Ullrich Sierau (SPD)
Area
• City	280.4 km2 (108.3 sq mi)
Population (2015-12-31)
• City	586,181
• Density	2,100/km2 (5,400/sq mi)
• Urban	5,302,179 (Ruhr)
• Metro	11,300,000 (Rhine-Ruhr)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	44001-44388
Dialling codes	0231, 02304
Vehicle registration	DO
Website	www.dortmund.de

Dortmund ([ˈdɔɐ̯tmʊnt] ( listen); Low German: Düörpm [ˈdyːœɐ̯pm̩]; Latin: Tremonia) is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the middle part of the state and is considered to be the administrative, commercial and cultural centre of the eastern Ruhr area. Its population of 581,612 (2015) makes it the 8th largest city in Germany. Moreover, Dortmund is the largest city by area and population in the Ruhr Area, an urban area with some 5.1 million (2011) inhabitants which is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany.

Founded around 882, Dortmund became an Imperial Free City. Throughout the 13th to 14th centuries, it was the "chief city" of the Rhine, Westphalia, the Netherlands Circle of the Hanseatic League. After the Thirty Years' War the city was destroyed and decreased in significance until the onset of industrialization. The city then became one of Germany's most important coal, steel and beer centres. Dortmund consequently was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Germany during World War II. The devastating bombing raids of the 12th March 1945 destroyed 98% of buildings in the inner city center. This bombing raids with more than 1,110 aircraft was a record to a single target in World war II.