Bochum is a city of nearly 400,000 people and is located in the west of Germany. While it was once a major mining and manufacturing center, it is now consistently moving in the twin directions of academics and technological development. The city also has a notable presence in the arts, with its own symphony orchestra and civic theater, both of which will celebrate their 90th anniversaries in the year 2009. The city has no lack of shopping venues, boasting many individual boutiques and several major malls. All year round there are colorful outdoor markets and lively local festivals, including Gourmet Weekend, Bochum Total Music Festival, and the Christmas Market. Tourists can also enjoy Bochum’s zoo, its botanical garden, its planetarium, the Bochum Museum Collection of Art, as well as the city’s Railway and Mining Museums. Those seeking more participatory activities can swim in the city’s pools, play a round on one of its miniature golf courses, or join in a game of ten-pin bowling. There are restaurants to satisfy a craving for just about any ethnic cuisine here, and available lodgings range from apartments to bed and breakfasts, to hotels of anywhere from two to five stars.