Rostock, officially known as the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock, is a city located in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is situated in the Mecklenburgian part of the state, positioned near the border with Pomerania.
With a population of approximately 210,000 inhabitants, Rostock is the largest city in its state and the third-largest city on the German Baltic coast, following Kiel and Lübeck. It ranks as the eighth-largest city in the former East Germany region and the 39th-largest city in Germany overall.
Historically, Rostock served as the most important port city and the largest coastal city in East Germany.