Variant: or G Nord · rhein-West · fa · len
Pronunciation: ' no ̇ rt- ˌ r ī n- ˌ vest- ' fä-l ə n
Function: geographical name
state of Germany & formerly of W. Germany formed 1946 by union of former Westphalia province, Lippe state, & N Rhine Province capital Düsseldorf area 13,142 sq mi (34,038 sq km ), pop 17,349,700