Bottrop - a City with a Large "Green Side"
If you only know Bottrop from hearsay, you might find this hard to believe, but more than half of the city is covered by green spaces. Throughout its history, Bottrop has always had a "green face," even during the decades that were dominated by the mining industry. The Köllnische Wald, the vast heath land of the Kirchheller Heide, and the public parks close to the city centre ensure that nature plays a prominent role in Bottrop. Over the years, Bottrop has developed into a modern industrial city. While in the 1960s about 50% of the citizens worked in the coal mining industry, this situation has dramatically changed in recent years. Mostly small and medium-sized enterprises from the production and service sector industry have been established in various business sectors.
In spite of its character and reputation as a small city, Bottrop has managed to maintain its charm from the times when is was the "largest village in Prussia." Classical architecture can be found right next to modern buildings. Green sites, open spaces, shopping streets and street cafes that invite you to sit down guarantee a relaxing atmosphere next to the hustle and bustle of this busy city and ensure that Bottrop is an all-around pleasant place to work, live and stay. Avid shoppers will love Bottrop's downtown area, for it offers everything from exclusive specialists to well-assorted department stores.
