The term CITY NEAR GELSENKIRCHEN is solved by the word ESSEN, which is a city in the Ruhr area of Germany. It is located about 25 kilometers northeast of Gelsenkirchen and is the ninth largest city in Germany. Essen has a long history, having been founded in 845 AD. It is known for its industrial heritage, having been an important coal mining and steel production center in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it is a major cultural and economic hub in the region.