Many well-known companies like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, Mahle, Lidl, Kaufland, Würth, Märklin, Stihl, Kärcher, Trumpf and Festo have their worldwide headquarters in the region.

Furthermore many small and medium-size hidden champions are located in the region, forming the German Mittelstand.

International companies like IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Intersport, Euronics and FrieslandCampina have their German headquarters in the region as well.

Culturally the region is mostly Swabian, with some Franconian parts in the north.

Most notably are the Cannstatter Volksfest (an Oktoberfest-like celebration that occurs twice a year), the Stuttgart wine festival and the Heilbronn wine festival.