Mönchengladbach is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located west of the Rhine, halfway between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border.

The city was originally called Gladbach, a name by which the town is still known today. In order to distinguish it from another town of the same name (the present Bergisch Gladbach), it was renamed München-Gladbach in 1888. Between 1933 and 1950 this was spelled München Gladbach (or alternatively: M. Gladbach). However, this spelling was seen as being potential misleading, as the name could be misinterpreted as a borough of Munich (München in German), so consequently the name was changed to Mönchen-Gladbach in 1950 and Mönchengladbach in 1960.

The town was originally founded around abbey in 974. It was named after the Gladbach, a nearby brook that mostly runs underground today. The abbey and adjoining villages merged to become a town in the 14th century. The town of Rheydt is located nearby and is now a part of Mönchengladbach.

Mönchengladbach's industrial ascent was mainly influenced by the development of the textile industry from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. In addition, a textile-oriented machine industry also developed.

After the Second World War, a major structural change began, reducing the importance of the textile industry and attracting new economic sectors. At present, only 7 percent of employees work in the once dominant textile and clothing industry (for example: Van Laack and gardeur).

As part of the successful diversification of the business location, local government and representatives founded the Mönchengladbach Business Development Corporation (WFMG) in 1997. WFMG and the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein have developed a five-pillar model for the future orientation of the business location. Thereafter textile and fashion, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, logistics, the creative industry and the health sector are the leading sectors for the economic future of the city of Mönchengladbach. As part of an active cluster policy, the WFMG has partly initiated its own networks for these industries.

The most important employer in Mönchengladbach is the Santander Consumer Bank, which has its headquarters at Aachener Straße in Mönchengladbach's city center.

The economic structure includes: tool and spinning machines, automatic conveyor systems, signal and system technology, transformers, cables, printed matter and foodstuffs.

Chocolatier Heinemann is known beyond the city limits for his cakes, pralines and baked goods, which he offers in cafés on site as well as in Düsseldorf and Munich. Furthermore, beer breweries are represented in Mönchengladbach. The Oettinger brewery produces at the site of the former Hannen brewery. The Hensen brewery has been producing a lower Rhine-type Altbier since 2015 at the former spring of the river Gladbach in the Waldhausen district.

Especially in the 1970s and 1980s nightlife was attractive to young party people from Düsseldorf. In the meantime, tourism in particular is playing a certain role. Mönchengladbach has about 40 hotels (for example: Hotel Burgund) and inns as well as a youth hostel in the district Hardter Wald. In total there are about 2000 beds. The number of overnight stays is over 200,000 annually.

Mönchengladbach Airport is dominated by general aviation. There are currently no scheduled services to and from Mönchengladbach. Additionally, there are few business-charter passenger flights. In June 2015 Hugo Junkers Hangar was opened as an aviation and event facility. Airplane enthusiasts can book sightseeing flights with Junkers Ju 52 from the 1940s. The next major international airport Düsseldorf Airport is only 20 kilometres (12 mi) away to the east.

Points of interest:

• Rheydt Castle
• Municipal Abteiberg Museum for contemporary art
• Municipal Museum Schloss Rheydt for fine art
• Museum im Wasserturm Rheindahlen for relics of the Stone Age
• Museum Altes Zeughaus e. V. for Carnival
• Museum Schloss Wickrath for ornithology
• Bunter Garten, municipal park with botanical garden and arboretum
• Wasserturm Mönchengladbach