Leverkusen is a city in western Germany, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It lies on the banks of the Rhein River and is part of the Rhein-Ruhr metropolitan area. The city is known for its strong industrial base, particularly in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, with the global company Bayer AG headquartered there. Founded in the 19th century, Leverkusen has a population of around 165,000 residents. The city features several parks and recreational areas, including the popular Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden). Additionally, Leverkusen is home to the Bayer 04 Leverkusen football club, which competes in the top tier of German football.