With a population of around 200,000 inhabitants the
Hanse- und Universitätsstadt Rostock is the largest and
most influential city in Mecklenburg West Pomerania. Its
commercial profile is distinguished by the maritime
traditions emanating from the harbour in Rostock. As
early as in the heyday of the Hanseatic League this
was an extremely important hub and is indeed today
one of the most important ferry harbours on the
Baltic Rim.
Scientific work and tuition has had a firm place in Rostock since the foundation of the University in 1419. There are currently studying, at what is one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe, an astounding figure of more than 13,000 young people from all over the world pursuing 55 different study courses. Offering research and tuition in its eight faculties it provides a highly-specialised development potential which makes waves far beyond the immediate surrounding commercial location.
![]() FZ Forschungszentrum Warnemünde (Research Centre Warnemuende) www.fz-warnemuende.de   |
![]() RIGZ Rostocker Innovations- und Gründerzentrum (Rostock Innovation and Business Establishment Centre) www.rigz.de |
![]() LTTZ Lasertechnologie- und Transferzentrum Rostock (Laser Technology and Transfer Centre Rostock)   |
In recent years technology-oriented branches of industry have come into focus in ever increasing numbers. Several technology centres have come into being in Rostock and they collaborate in a network which embraces overlapping areas of specialisation, setting new standards in research and development.