Wuppertal

Wuppertal (vp`ərtäl), city (1994 pop. 386,625), North Rhine–Westphalia, W Germany, on the Wupper River. It is an industrial center, formed in 1929 by the merger of Barmen, Elberfeld, Vohwinkel, and several smaller towns. Manufactures include textiles, machinery, tools, chemicals, rubber, vehicles, printing equipment, and beer. Barmen was first mentioned in the 11th cent. and Elberfeld in the 12th cent. Elberfeld pioneered in legislation for poor relief with a system that it adopted in the mid-19th cent. and that was widely imitated (see poor law). As a major production center of ball bearings and chemicals in World War II, the city was heavily damaged by Allied bombing raids. Noteworthy buildings include the city hall (1912–22) and the opera house (1956). There is a museum of the history of clocks and watches.

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Wuppertal

City (pop, 2002 est.: 364,784), northwestern Germany. Located on the Wupper River, it was formed as Barmen-Elberfeld in 1929 through the amalgamation of the towns of Barmen, Elberfeld, Beyenburg, Cronenberg, Ronsdorf, and Vohwinkel. Its name was changed to Wuppertal in 1930. The region was noted for its textile production as early as the 16th century, and the modern city remains a textile-manufacturing centre. Other industrial products include chemicals, rubber, and machinery. Wuppertal has numerous parks and public gardens and a well-known zoo.