Hagen, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Sauerland", is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Deutschland, with a population of around 190,000 inhabitants. The City is known for its diverse cultural, educational and economic offerings. Of particular note is the Hagen Open-Air Museum, a museum that keeps the region's industrial past alive by presenting crafts and manufacturing techniques in a historical setting.

In economic terms, Hagen plays an important role in metal processing as well as in the manufacture of chemical products and paper. In addition, the City is an important educational center with institutions such as the Distance Learning University of Hagen, which is the tallest of its kind in Germany and offers distance learning opportunities to students from all over the country.

Hagen is also the intersection of important rail and highway networks, making it a central transportation hub. Culturally, Hagen has a lot to offer with the Theater Hagen and the Karl-Ernst-Osthaus-Kunsthalle, which regularly shows modern art exhibitions. The Hohenhof Villa and the Osthaus Museum are also relevant attractions for art and architecture lovers.

Hagen therefore combines culture, education and business in a way that makes it attractive for both visitors and residents