Also means
the West
Usage Note
Westen is the compass direction but also stands for 'the West' politically and culturally. Note the fixed phrase im Westen ('in the west') and the adjective westlich. Unlike English, the direction noun keeps the -en ending.
Examples
"Die Sonne geht im Westen unter."
Natural Translation
The sun sets in the west.
Literal Translation
The sun goes in-the west under.

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