Population: approx. 245,000
Area: 220.85 km²

Chemnitz is the third largest city in Saxony. During the GDR, the city was known as "Karl-Marx-Stadt" and only regained its original name in 1990. A large monument with the head of the man who gave the city its name still adorns the city centre. Today the city is the most industrialised region in central Germany. The core industries are the automotive industry and mechanical engineering. Around 50 research and development institutions are located in the city. The city centre is adorned with several historic buildings. A special landmark is the "Red Tower", some of whose building materials date back to the 12th century.