Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city (after {{Berlin}}, {{Hamburg}} and {{Munich}}), and is the largest city both in the {{German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia}} and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.
Cologneis the largest city in the Germanfederal StateofNorth Rhine-Westphaliaand thefourth-largest cityinGermany. In medieval times it was the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire. It is one of the nation's media, tourism and business hotspots. Cologne is known to be one of the most liberal cities in Germany.
Cologne is a traditionally Ripuarian-speaking city, though this has mostly been replaced by German, which is now the main language of the city. English-speaking guides and information are available for many of the landmarks of the city. Cologne's citizens are alsovery friendly and jovial people, welcoming tourists of all types and with all interests.