Wuppertal

Industrial city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the valley of the Wupper in the Bergisches Land, 32 km/20 mi east of Düsseldorf; population (1995) 382,400. Industries include textiles, brewing, electronics, and the manufacture of plastics and precision instruments. The city was formed in 1929 (named in 1931) by uniting Elberfield (13th century) and Barmen (11th century). A monorail (German Schwebebahn), built at the beginning of the 20th century and suspended above the river, is still in operation.

The towns that make up the city of Wuppertal (including Barmen and Elberfeld) stretch for 20 km/12 mi along the valley and are linked by the elevated railway. The woollen textile industry dates from the Middle Ages. The city has a modern university, and the Rhenish Music Festival is held annually in May.