Frankfurt is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2008 population of 670,000. The urban area had an estimated population of 2.26 million in 2001. The city is at the centre of the larger Frankfurt Rhine Main Region which has a population of 5.3 million and is Germany's second largest metropolitan area. In English, this city's name translates into "Frankfurt on the Main" (pronounced like "mine"). A part of early Franconia, the inhabitants were the early Franks. The city is located on an ancient ford on the river Main, which is a shallow crossing. The German word is "Furt". Thus the city's name receives its legacy as being the "ford of the Franks".

In Germany, all roads seem to converge on Frankfurt. This industrial and commercial powerhouse has been shaped by business since the first trade fairs were held here in the Middle Ages. These trade fairs and expos still have a major influence on Frankfurt’s image, drawing nearly 2 million visitors each year for a blend of business and pleasure. With the busiest railway station in Europe, one of the continent’s largest airports, and some 2,450 factories buzzing away along the banks of the Main River, Frankfurt is certainly a city of industry.

Tucked around and inside the melange of modern skyscrapers and sprawling factories are pockets of traditional half-timbered houses which serve as a reminder of Frankfurt’s medieval legacy. The home of Goethe can be toured in the charming Altstadt (Old Town) district, along with some of the city’s most important landmarks such as the glorious Dom cathedral, the Rathaus Romer (City Hall), and numerous traditional shopping districts such as the Schillerpassag and Goethestraße. Although heavy bombing in WWII virtually levelled the Old Town, some real gems managed to survive.

Frankfurt is also a city with a large and thriving immigrant population. This adds rich layers of cultural diversity to the half million or so residents who live here. While trade conventions are certainly a major aspect of life in Frankfurt, this city also offers world-class performance arts venues, excellent museums and a wealth of wining and dining options.

Despite having almost 200 hotels and guesthouses, Frankfurt’s busy year-round trade fair schedule keeps nearly all the 22,000 beds in the city booked. Virtually every major hotel is located in the city centre, convenient to the massive train station, the fair grounds and the business district. Visitors can find everything from 5-star opulence to modest family-run inns, but make your room reservations well in advance because room vacancies are the scarcest commodity in Frankfurt.