Studying in Mannheim means studying in the heart of Germany, close to Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Munich, and Paris. Nick-named the “city of squares”, Mannheim is often compared to New York because of its famous grid system. Together with its neighboring cities Heidelberg and Ludwigshafen, Mannheim is part of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. About 2.4 million inhabitants, a great infrastructure and several companies form one of the most attractive business hubs in Germany. Next to its industrial charm, Mannheim has many green areas along its two rivers. It also offers a great variety of shopping, nightlife, restaurants, museums, and cafés. Another local gem is the close-by Palatinate, a well-known wine growing region ideal for hiking trips.