Aachen is a city in western Germany, located near the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. It has a population of over 250, 000 and is known for its historical sites, such as the AACHEN Cathedral. Essen is another West German city, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It has a population of over 600, 000 and is known for its industrial heritage. Göttingen is a city in Lower Saxony, located in the center of Germany. It has a population of over 130, 000 and is known for its university, which was founded in 1737.