Heidelberg is one of three metropolises of the Rhine Neckar Metropolitan Region.

Wellknown international companies such as Heidelberg Druckmaschinen, HeidelbergCement, Henkel, Lamy, ProMinent, SAP and SAS characterize the economic profile of the city.

The Heidelberg Technology Park hosts over 70 companies and is one of the three most important biotechnology centres in Germany.

The Castle (Heidelberger Schloss) is the city's most famous architectural site. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.

Heidelberg was included in the preliminary German list for registration as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The city of the oldest university in Germany (established in 1386) looks back on over 800 years of history. Famous Sociologist Max Weber studied at the Heidelberg University.

Located in the province of Baden Württemberg (Baden-Wuerttemberg), Heidelberg is also an active participant in the academic exchange agreement between Ontario, Canada and Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. The two provinces have committed to develop exchanges for faculty and staff and for laboratory and research project internship at universities.