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About Hamburg
Population: 1.7 million
7
Federal State: Hamburg
Airports:
Hamburg Airport
 Origins: Hamburg’s
origins do not actually lie on the Elbe, but on its tributary,
the Alster. The initial settlement was built on the banks (old
Saxon: “ham”) of this river in the 8th Century, not far from
where it flows into the Elbe. Hammaburg castle was erected here
around 950. The Elbe would gain greater significance in the 12th
Century, as trade in Northern Europe flourished.
In 1189, Hamburg received the right to levy customs duties on the Elbe from
Emperor Barbarossa, and became a Free City of the Empire. Hamburg
was founded under the name "Hammaburg " in 811, during the
lifetime of Charlemagne. The granting of customs and commerce
privileges in 1189 marks the beginning of Hamburg's ascent as a
global centre of commerce. As one of the first members of the
medieval Hanseatic League ("Hanse"), Hamburg was the League's
principal trading port on the North Sea.
 Kings and princes
have never reigned in Hamburg: Since the Middle Ages, it has
been a city republic self-governed by its own citizens.
Hamburg, which today is one of the 16 states of the Federal
Republic of Germany, has always strongly defended its
autonomous statehood. Hamburg's seaport is one of the world's
seven largest container ports, and, in terms of surface area,
it is the largest seaport in Europe.
 The port, and the 80,000
people who work there, are a distinguishing feature of Hamburg.
The city on the Elbe and Alster rivers is also one of Germany's
major media centres. The German press agency dpa is located
here, and 15 of the 20 highest-circulation German magazines are
published in Hamburg. The city is also internationally renowned
as Germany's foremost centre for musical productions,
especially for musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber such as "Cats"
and "The Phantom of the Opera". Hamburg is the location of the
International Maritime Law Court, and of more consulates than
any other city in the world, representing 100 countries.
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