Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Ruhr industrial region in western Germany—historically the heart of German coal, steel, and heavy industry—is linked to the North Sea via the Rhine River. This major inland waterway flows northwest through Germany and the Netherlands, terminating at the Port of Rotterdam. Rotterdam is Europe's largest seaport and a global logistics hub. The Rhine provides a cost-effective, high-capacity route for bulk raw materials (iron ore, coal) entering the Ruhr and finished products (steel, chemicals) reaching global markets.