Cities and stadiums
Source: Picture-Alliance / dpa
Hamburg
Even though it is not situated on the coast, Hamburg is Germany's largest seaport. Ships coming in from the North Sea have to travel 120 kilometers inland on the Elbe River to get here. Germany's second-largest city is, nonetheless, the country's gateway to the world. Some 80,000 people are employed here at what, in terms of surface area, is Europe's largest seaport. Because of its port industry Hamburg is one of Germany's strongest local economies.
For more than 800 years now Hamburg has maintained the tradition of celebrating the founding of its port. Every year, on the second weekend in May, windjammers sail into the harbor and dock at the piers, lending color and excitement to the festivities.
Independent for 800 years
The 'Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg', as it is officially known, was founded in 811 under the name 'Hammaburg'. In the latter part of the 12th century the city began to flourish as an early center of international trade. Hamburg was one of the first members of the Hanseatic League, a powerful commercial alliance of northern European cities. It became the most important North Sea port and served as a reshipment point for grain, cloth, furs, herring, spices, wood, and metal. In 1189 Hamburg attained the status of a free city state, governed by its own citizens.
The city did not expand beyond its medieval walls until the middle of the 19th century. Areas of modern Hamburg such as St. Pauli, Altona, and St. Georg were still well outside the city limits. In 1850 it had a population of only 50,000.
After 1860 more and more of the surrounding communities were swallowed up as industrial production expanded. By 1900 the population had risen to a million. Under the Greater Hamburg Act of 1937 the city boundaries were defined that continue to be in effect today.
Important media center
The port is not the only source of prosperity for the city. Hamburg is also an important media center. Fifteen of the country's twenty largest-circulation magazines are published here. The Hamburg studios of ARD television produce the 'Tagesschau', Germany's most widely watched daily news program. Highly specialized industry sectors are present in the city. Hamburg is a leader in medicine and biotechnology and also a major aircraft manufacturing center. The Airbus A 380 passenger plane is produced here.
Hamburg, Bremen, and Berlin are Germany's three city states. In other words Hamburg is, in addition to being a city, also one of Germany's sixteen states, with its own state government, but headed by a mayor instead of a premier.
Cool elegance, hot night life
Hamburg plays its role as a wealthy cosmopolitan city with the cool elegance of its villas and the splendor of hotels like the Atlantic, offering international musical productions and elegant shopping malls. But it also has the 'Reeperbahn'. The pubs of St. Pauli are open for business around the clock. Twelve-thirty at night is just when things really start moving! The quarter is dominated these days by a younger crowd who frequent numerous scene clubs and discos. After a Saturday night out on the town some people like to go down to the early morning fish market in Altonar for a more sobering experience.
A visit to Hamburg should include a boat tour of the harbor and the canals that cut through the old warehouse district where the smell of coffee and exotic spices still evokes visions of far-away places.
Source: REGIERUNGonline / ReinekeHamburg is home to HSV, the 'Hamburg Sportverein'. The home of the six-times German champions is the AOL Arena, which will be called "FIFA World Cup Stadium Hamburg" during the World Cup. Construction of this highly modern stadium was begun in 1998 on the grounds of the old 'Volksparkstadion' (People's Park Stadium) and was completed in the year 2000. Uwe Seeler, one of the country's major soccer idols in the past, is a native of Hamburg. He played for HSV in the 'Bundesliga' for nine years and was captain of the German national team from 1961 to 1970.
More Information
Hamburg tourism portal The official site for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany Hamburg’s World Cup website Hamburg’s Administrative Portal Culture in Hamburg The Hamburg region Magic City of Hamburg Destination Hamburg Hamburg tourism Destination Germany: Hamburg
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