the influence of medium-sized enterprises such as Behr, Kärcher, Märklin, Stihl, Festo, and Trumpf. In total, approximately 150,000 companies are located in the Stuttgart Region. 24 per cent of employees in the Stuttgart Region work in the high-tech sector – a European record. The Verband Region Stuttgart as a political entity is responsible for regional transportation planning and for the basic network of public transport in Stuttgart Region. Research and development Out of the total Investments in R&D of German companies, more than 10% is invested by companies from the Stuttgart Region, which is one of the reasons for its leading high patent application amount. Two institutes of the Max Planck Society, six of the Fraunhofer Society, for industrial development institutes where several companies work together, one large research institution, 88 transfer centers of the Steinbeis foundation for economic Promotion and many research facilities at Universities and Universities of Applied sciences are located in the region.. Administrative District of Stuttgart Stuttgart Region shouldn't be confused with the Administrative District of Stuttgart. The German state of Baden-Württemberg is sub-divided into four districts: Administrative District of Stuttgart Administrative District of Tübingen Administrative District of Karlsruhe Administrative District of Freiburg Stuttgart Region is part of the "Administrative District of Stuttgart" (Regierungsbezirk Stuttgart, 4 million inhabitants, 11,000 km2). Stuttgart Metropolitan Area The Stuttgart Metropolitan Area (pop. 5.3 million), according to the definition of the European Union, is neither identical with the "inner" Stuttgart Region nor with the Administrative District of Stuttgart. The Stuttgart Metropolitan Area consists i.a. of the following larger cities (approx. 50 km from Stuttgart City Center): Stuttgart Region, 2.7 million inhabitants Heilbronn, 120,000 inhabitants, Administrative District of Stuttgart Schwäbisch Gmünd, 65,000 inhabitants, Administrative District of Stuttgart Tübingen, 85,000 inhabitants, Administrative District of Tübingen Reutlingen, 115,000 inhabitants, Administrative District of Tübingen Pforzheim, 115,000 inhabitants, Administrative District of Karlsruhe and their surrounding counties. Maps map of Baden-WürttembergLeft: Stuttgart Region - Right: Stuttgart Administrative District Tourism A selection of regional attractions: Staatsgalerie Stuttgart (James Stirling designed the extension) Kunstmuseum Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart Landesmuseum Württemberg im Alten Schloss House of History Baden-Württemberg Linden-Museum (Völkerkunde-Museum) Hochdorf Chieftain's Grave Open-air museum Beuren and Hohenneuffen castle Hohenasperg fortress with museum Hohenasperg – a german prison German Literature archive Marbach Museum Ritter in Waldenbuch (Art- and chocolatemuseum) Mercedes-Benz Museum at the NeckarPark Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt Porsche-Museum in Zuffenhausen Ludwigsburg Palace with gardens and baroque old town