Münster is the capital of North Rhineland-Westphalia. From the very beginning Münster was perceived as a central city of North Rhineland- Westphalia and in 1816 the city became the capital of the region. Nowadays, it is one of the most beautiful and characteristic locations in Germany. Approx. 280,000 Münster's inhabitants live in the area corresponding to approx. 30,000 hectares. More than 40% of working population is employed in the public sector of the national economy, 30% in trade and 25% in industry. Münster is the regional center of administration, trade and science. The third of the largest German universities is located in Münster. The university educates about 50,000 students. Moreover, the academic nature of the city is reflected by a number of scientific associations and other organizations. In the Münster's surroundings there are about one hundred castles on the water, all in exceptionally good condition. The city market called Prinzipalmarkt, a shopping center with exclusive shops, big department stores and famed cafeterias, is the most beautiful place in Münster. Since 1280 generations of traders built their tenement-houses at the city square. At the square of the city the Saint Lambertius Church was erected, on the tower of which, three cages are hung, where in the thirties of the 16-th century corpses of three Anabaptist movement leaders were kept. A fronton of the historic city hall built in the Gothic style and a cathedral clock, which was heard for the first time in 1540 and its ticking will sound up to 2017, are exceptionally interesting monuments of the city. The Münster inhabitants say that in the city there are about 50 churches of many beliefs. Every year sumptuous carnivals and baloon contests, attracting a lot of tourists, are organized in Münster.