Description : Duisburg is a city in the Ruhr metropolitan area of the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Lying on the confluence of the Rhine and the Ruhr rivers, Duisburg is one of the largest cities in the Ruhr and the 15th-largest city in Germany. In the Middle Ages, it was a city-state and a member of the Hanseatic League, and later became a major centre of iron, steel, and chemicals industries. For this reason, it was heavily bombed in World War II. Today it boasts the world's largest inland port, with 21 docks and 40 kilometres of wharf. Latest archaeological studies show that the present-day market-place was already in use in the first century. It has been the major central trading place of the city since the 5th century. The city itself was located at the "Hellweg", an important medieval trade route, and at a ford across the Rhine. The Romans already guarded the ford. 420: The Franks usurp the Roman settlement and recolonize the old part of the town. 883: The Normans conquer Duisburg and stay for the winter. First historic document mentioning Duisburg. Middle Ages Due to the town's favorable geographic position a palatinate was built and the town was soon granted the royal charter of a free city. Duisburg became a member of the Hanseatic League. Around 1000 the river Rhine moved westward from the city. This put an end to the city's development as a trading town and it soon grew into a quiet rural city. The productions of cartographer Gerardus Mercator and the foundation of a university in 1655 established the city's renown as "Educated Duisburg" ("Duisburgum Doctum"). - 1120: construction of the city wall - 1279: "city charter" granted by King Lothar III - 1290 Duisburg becomes part of the County (after 1417 Duchy) of Cleves - 1445 attack by Archbishop-Elector Dietrich II von Moers (de) of Cologne was thwarted - 1566 Johannes Corputius completes his city map of Duisburg. - 1666 Duisburg within the Duchy of Cleves becomes a part of Brandenburg-Prussia
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