DUSSELDORF. 
The evolution of Düsseldorf on the Rhine into one of the most important 
of the large manufacturing towns of Germany took place in the last quarter of 
the 19th century, and the leaders of local enterprise date the era of its expansion 
from the Industrial Exhibition held there in 1880. In that year Düsseldorf 
numbered 95,458 inhabitants, while at the end of 1905 its population was 
253,280, representing an increase of 165 per cent, in the interval. In 1905 
Düsseldorf ranked in point of population as the tenth of German and the fifth 
of Prussian towns. Its growth has also been continuous and not the result of 
spasmodic influences. Between 1880 and 1885 the population increased by 20*7 
per cent., between 1885 and 1890 by 25*6 per cent., between 1890 and 1895 by 
21 7 per cent., between 1895 and 1900 by 21 "4 per cent., and between 1900 and 
1905 by 18'4 per cent., the last quinquennial increase being the lowest relatively 
yet the highest in absolute numbers (38,569). It is noticeable, too, that the 
increase has, on the whole, been caused even more by additions from outside 
than by natural growth of population. Of 182,915 persons added to the 
population since 1871, 103,736 or 56*7 per cent, came from outside, and 
79,179, or 43*3 per cent., represented excess of births over deaths. 
The following are the results of the past seven enumerations 
Census Year. 
Population. 
Total 
Increase. 
Increase owing 
to excess of 
births 
over deaths. 
Per 
centage 
of total 
Increase. 
Increase owing 
to excess of 
immigrants 
over emigrants. 
Per 
centage 
of total 
Increase. 
1871 
1875 
1880 
1885 
1890 
1895 
1900 
1905 
69,365 
80,695 
95,458 
115,190 
144,642 
175,985 
213,711 
253,280 
11,330 
14,763 
19,732 
29,452 
31,343 
37.726 
38,569 
3,555 
6,073 
7,276 
9,927 
13,366 
18,676 
20,306 
31-4 
411 
36 9 
33 7 
42 6 
49-5 
52 6 
7,775 
8,690 
12,456 
19,525 
17,977 
19,050 
18,263 
68-6 
58*9 
63-1 
66-3 
57-3 
50-5 
47 4 
In estimating the industrial importance of Düsseldorf, however, the “ rural 
circle” (Landkreis) bearing its name should also be considered, since many of 
the large works which are identified with the trade of the town are situated 
there. The population of this rural district has increased to the extent of 123 
per cent, since 1880, viz., from 52,729 to 117,421, the quinquennial increases 
being : 1880-5, 8 9; 1885-90, 14*8; 1890-5, 13*6; 1895-1900, 28'9; and 
1900-5, 21*6 per cent. 
The industries of the town include many large iron and steel and machine 
works, the manufacture of ordnance and cartridges, of chemicals, dyes and 
colours, several textile factories, and, in the adjacent small town of Gerresheim, 
glass blowing. 
Düsseldorf has many parks, avenues, and other planted spaces, and its 
public buildings are, for the most part, well-built and imposing. The streets 
are wide, well-paved and clean, and an efficient electric tramway system 
intersects the town in every direction and connects it with adjacent places. 
The tramways are municipal property. Düsseldorf has carried out the 
principle of the municipalisation of public works to an extent exceptional even 
for Germany. Not only are the usual undertakings connected with locomotion 
and transport, water and illumination in the hands of the municipality, 
but the town owns a large amount of land and house property, and does a 
regular business in the estate market as buyer and seller. It has constructed 
docks on the Rhine for several kinds of traffic ; it keeps a pawnshop and a 
mortgage agency ; it runs a theatre, a concert hall, and an orchestra ; it has a 
picture gallery, museums, libraries and parks, with markets, baths, savings 
bank, and abattoir. To the foresight and method which the local governing 
authority has brought to its work must also be attributed in some degree