With around 86.000 residents, Minden is a cultural focus and also a Center of administration and business for the County Minden-Lübbecke. Surrounded by the Wiehen- and Wesermountains, forrests, meadows and moors, the more than 1.200 year old Minden, lies by the watercrossing of the river Weser and the Midland-Canal, in the East-Westfalian Region. Minden belongs to the German State of Nordrhein-Westfalia, the most populated state in Germany. The City is an important business-, trade- and servicecenter for an area consisting of 450.000 residents. The immediate nearness of the threelaned motorway (A2), the Cologne-Berlin railway-net with IC, IR and ICE stops and also the watercrossing, offer optimal combining of land and water. The city center is impressing with its middleaged churches, quaint citizen- and merchant-houses. Numerous buildings, inlcuding the Preussian-museum on Simeonsplatz as well as the Provisions magazine on Martinikirchhof, descended directly from the epoch, that was influenced by preussian architects like Schinkel and Gilly. The superior old town with its frameworkhouses and the City center with numerous historical buildings, including the 1.000 year old Cathedral with the Cathedral treasury and the oldest townhall in Westfalia with its gothic arcade from the 13th century, are witnesses of a moving history. Also belonging to it, are magnificant buildings from the Weserrenaissance, the Minden museum, lodged in five frameworkhouses in the old town, the old churches of the city and the “Fischerstadt” (Fishing-city). Unique for the region is the Shipmill, which was rebuilt in high fidelity and taken into service in 1998. Its berth is on the Weserpromenade from april through to the end of october. A particular attraction of Minden is the watercrossing of the river Weser and the Midland Canal, with the 83 m long lock and the new canal bridge that was taken into service also in 1998. The 370 m long bridge is the second largest in history of inland navigation. It can be viewed from Land or Water. The city is also well known for its cultural offers. Apart from the Preussian museum and the museum of history, land- and folklore, the theatre is important for the whole region and registers extraordinary high numbers of visitors. Minden is also a mekka for jazzmusic. The city has a hall at its disposal, for conferences, congresses and big events, a cultural center and the theatre at the winegarden. Minden is a sportive stronghold. With an organisation grade of 32,3 % Minden is the leading city in East-Westfalian-Lippe region. 26.600 members are active in 136 unions and worksportunsions. More then 40 types of sport are being offered, including canoesport or highclass handball (Men- and Womens teams, 1.Bundesliga) up to archery and baseball.