Facts on the German state elections in North Rhine-Westphalia

Germany's ascent to an industrial power would not have been possible without its largest coal-mining heartland, North-Rhine Westphalia. The country's most populous state sits on Europe's largest lignite reserves and is home to some of Germany's most important heavy industry companies as well as the two largest utilities. The Energiewende's gradual shift from fossil to renewable energy sources therefore particularly affects the region, which voted on 14 May. [Updates final election results, governments]