Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Where is Cologne located in Germany?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Cologne
The Hohenzollern rail and pedestrian bridge over the Rhine River, Cologne, Germany, with the city's cathedral in the background.
Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and serves as the largest city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is situated in the western part of the country, acting as the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland.1
Geographically, the city lies approximately 21 miles (34 km) northwest of Bonn and 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Düsseldorf. It is positioned at an elevation of 210 feet (65 metres) above sea level, located just below the point where the Rhine River enters the North German Plain. While the majority of the city is situated on the left (west) bank of the river, it also encompasses several suburbs on the right bank.2