This article presents the spatial and the industry differentiation of the strongest regional economy in Germany-province North Rhine-Westphalia. Formerly known as „Land of coal and steel“today the federal government prompts the development of more environmental friendly productions. Hundreds of years the economy in North Rhine-Westphalia relies of hard coal deposits, but the intensive output deplete the reserves. This paper overview the population and the economic activities in the primary, secondary and tertiary sector of the economy of the province.