Nuremberg is located 170 kilometres north of Munich and is the largest city in Franconia. The City of Nuremberg was home to just over 505,000 people in 2010, whilst the European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg had a population of 3.5 million.

Nuremberg is famous for gingerbread, sausages, handmade toys and pocket watches. The city has had a strong industrial base since the nineteenth century and manufactures electrical equipment, optical and mechanical products, automobiles and writing and printed materials. Europe’s first print shop was opened in Nuremberg, and the city’s Academy of Fine Art is the oldest art academy in central Europe.

In 1997, the Nuremberg City Council became involved in the United Nations’ Agenda 21 process. In addition, in 2001, the city signed a sustainability pact with regional companies, and since 2003, has presented annual awards for sustainable economic management.