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Frankfurt Facts & Worksheets

Frankfurt is the fifth-most populous city in Germany, a country in Western Europe. It is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and is also considered Germany’s financial capital, economic center, and travel hub.

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Frankfurt is the fifth-most populous city in Germany, a country in Western Europe. Named after the Franks, its official name is Frankfurt am Main (“Frankfurt on the Main”). It is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and is also considered Germany’s financial capital, economic center, and travel hub. Expect to see soaring skyscrapers, impressive 15th-century buildings, and one of the largest airports in Europe if you visit Frankfurt.

See the fact file below for more information about Frankfurt, or you can download our 28-page Frankfurt worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

  • The name Frankfurt comes from the Franconofurt of the Germanic tribe of the Franks, which, in English, would mean “Ford of the Franks”.
  • A ford is a passageway where a shallow river or stream may be crossed on foot.
  • The name was earlier spelled as Frankfort.
  • Frankfurt had been accepted since the city’s official spelling by the 19th century.
  • Earlier than that, in the 14th century, the suffix am Main (“on the Main”) had been added to Frankfurt’s name in reference to the river where the city lies.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

  • Frankfurt is the largest city in the German state of Hesse.
  • Frankfurt is located on the right and left sides of the river Main, which is the longest tributary of the Rhine.
  • The center of Frankfurt is on the north side of Main.
  • Frankfurt claims to be at the center of Europe, geographically.
  • Frankfurt is 440 kilometers from Amsterdam, Netherlands; 600 kilometers from Paris, France; 640 kilometers from London, England; and 670 kilometers from Milan, Italy.
  • Frankfurt comprises 16 Ortsbezirke (administrative divisions) subdivided into 46 quarters or city districts.
  • Frankfurt’s climate is continental to temperate-oceanic like the rest of the country.
  • There is often snow in Frankfurt from early December to early February.
  • It is primarily cloudy all year round.
  • Summers are warm from early June to early September.
  • Frankfurt is nicknamed “Mainhattan” because of its gorgeous skyline reminiscent of Manhattan, New York, USA.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  • Frankfurt was founded in the first century: as early as 794 CE, Franconofurd (meaning “City of Franks”) was first documented.
  • Prior to that, evidence suggests Roman settlements existed in Frankfurt.
  • From 768 to 815, Charlemagne was the king of the Franks.
  • Frankfurt became one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire, as the Roman emperors were crowned and elected in this city.
  • From 1356 onwards, Frankfurt became a permanent home to Roman kings by issue of the Golden Bull decree by King Charles IV of Luxembourg.
  • Annual fairs were held in Frankfurt, which attracted merchants and made the city a commercial hub. 
  • In 1372, Frankfurt became a “Reichsstadt”, which translates to “Imperial Free City.”
  • A plague broke out in the 1630s, resulting in thousands of deaths.
  • In the 19th century, after the decline of the Holy Roman Empire, the German Confederation was founded, and Frankfurt became its capital.
  • The Industrial Revolution saw an increase in factories, and railway lines were being constructed in Frankfurt.
  • More buildings were built in the city center, such as the opera house Alte Oper, theaters, museums, and stock exchange.
  • In 1888, a main railway station was established, making transportation easier in the flourishing city.
  • In World War II, the Allied forces bombed the city, which destroyed many buildings, including the cathedral, city hall, and zoo.
  • Those buildings have since been reconstructed.
  • Animals, like lions, wandered the streets because of the bombing.
  • Following the war, Frankfurt rose to be the economic center of West Germany.

GOVERNMENT

  • The city council is the highest decision-making body in Frankfurt’s government.
  • Councils serve for a full term of five years and are elected by the public.
  • The city council elects the members of the city’s government, except the Lord Mayor, which the citizens elect.
  • Mike Josef of the Social Democratic Party is the incumbent mayor of Frankfurt as of September 2023.

ECONOMY

  • Frankfurt is a top commercial and technological hub in Germany.
  • Since 1240, international trade fairs have been held in Frankfurt.
  • One of the largest stock exchanges in the world, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, is found in Frankfurt and was first established in 1585.
  • Manufacturing companies of automobiles, chemical and pharmaceutical products, machinery, printing materials, and food processing are major contributors to Frankfurt’s economy.
  • Frankfurt serves as a major traffic hub for western Germany.
  • The canalization of the Main in the 1880s led to Frankfurt being an important inland shipping port in the country.
  • Frankfurt is known for being home to the biggest airport in Germany, Frankfurt Airport.
  • Frankfurt is considered the financial capital of Germany.
  • The European Union’s central bank is found in Frankfurt.

CULTURE, FOOD, AND SPORT

  • Frankfurt is a melting pot of different cultures, with people of more than 180 different nationalities calling the city home.
  • People in Frankfurt are ranked as one of the top populations with a high quality of life, as reported by numerous studies.
  • Their high quality of life is characterized by a good work-life balance, public safety, reliable healthcare, efficient transportation, and overall happiness level. 
  • The Frankfurt Book Fair, which is the largest trade fair for books in the world, spans five days and is held annually in October.
  • “Ebbelwoi”, or apple wine, is a popular drink in Frankfurt.
  • High-quality sausages called frankfurters are a popular food in the city.
  • The Frankfurt Christmas market is a popular seasonal event.
  • Frankfurt is a city of sport, being the home base of some of the country’s major sports associations, such as the German Olympic Sports Confederation, the German Gymnastics Federation, and the German Football Association.
  • Frankfurt has professional teams or clubs for football, soccer, ice hockey, rugby, and basketball.
  • Plenty of fitness and recreational activities are also offered in Frankfurt, such as hiking, swimming, and cycling.

PROMINENT SITES AND LANDMARKS

  • A 5,000-hectare forest called the Stadtwald Frankfurt is the largest city forest in Germany and consists of a 450-kilometer network of trails.
  • Skyscrapers may not be as common in Germany as in other major European cities, but Frankfurt is home to 14 out of the 15 tallest skyscrapers in the country.
  • The Commerzbank Tower, which is 260 meters high, is the tallest skyscraper in the city.
  • The Römerberg is the most beautiful square in Frankfurt, a medieval square considered “the historic heart” of Frankfurt.
  • Constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries, the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral (also known as Frankfurt Cathedral) is the main church of Frankfurt.
  • Destroyed by bombing in 1944, the Old Opera House was beautifully reconstructed and reopened in 1981.

NOTABLE PEOPLE

  • Famous poet and playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt in 1749.
  • Goethe’s birthplace was destroyed by fire in World War II; it has been restored.
  • In 1914, the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt was established and is now one of the largest educational institutions in Germany.
  • In 1861, Johann Philipp Reis invented the first make-and-break telephone in Frankfurt.
  • Celebrated diarist Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt in 1929.
  • Film composer and Oscar and Grammy winner Hans Zimmer was born in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Frankfurt across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Frankfurt. It is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and is also considered Germany’s financial capital, economic center, and travel hub.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Frankfurt Facts
  2. Gathering Info
  3. Frank About Frankfurt
  4. Historical Timeline
  5. Culture Crossword
  6. People Scramble
  7. A City of Sport
  8. Travel Guide
  9. Frankfurt or False
  10. Trivia Trip
  11. Postcard from Frankfurt

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Frankfurt located?

Frankfurt is a city in Germany, situated in the state of Hesse, in the central-western part of the country.

What is Frankfurt known for?

Frankfurt is known for several things, including its status as a major financial hub in Europe, the presence of the European Central Bank, its international airport, and its skyline dominated by modern skyscrapers, earning it the nickname “Mainhattan.”

What is the significance of Frankfurt’s airport?

Frankfurt Airport (Flughafen Frankfurt am Main) is one of the busiest and most important international airports in the world. It serves as a major transportation hub in Europe, connecting travelers to various destinations worldwide.

What are some cultural attractions in Frankfurt?

Frankfurt offers a range of cultural attractions, such as the Städel Museum, which houses an extensive collection of European art, the Goethe House (birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe), and the Palmengarten, a beautiful botanical garden.

What is the Frankfurt Stock Exchange?

The Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse) is one of the world’s oldest stock exchanges and plays a vital role in the global financial markets. It is known for trading various types of financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and it is a key component of Frankfurt’s reputation as a financial center.

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Link will appear as Frankfurt Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 22, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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