Hamburg

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and a federal state in its own right, located in northern Germany on the estuary of the River Elbe. It is a major port city with a long maritime heritage and serves as a key commercial and cultural center for northern Europe. The city has a population of about 1.8 to 1.9 million in the metropolitan area, with roughly 1.85 million residents in the city itself.

Historically, Hamburg grew from a medieval port town and acquired the status of a Free and Hanseatic City in the Middle Ages, becoming a leading member of the Hanseatic League. Its harbour and warehouses expanded through trade with Northern Europe and beyond, contributing to its wealth and political autonomy.

The Port of Hamburg is one of Europe’s busiest and most important trading hubs. In recent decades the city has developed districts such as HafenCity and the Speicherstadt, the latter a historic warehouse complex that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Kontorhausviertel. The Elbphilharmonie concert hall, opened in 2017, has become a symbol of the city’s modern architecture and cultural life.

Cultural and entertainment attractions include the Reeperbahn and the St. Pauli district, the Alster lakes in the city center, and institutions such as the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the International Maritime Museum, and Miniatur Wunderland. The city hosts major trade fairs and a diverse economy that includes logistics, aerospace, media, and technology.

Hamburg has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers, and rainfall throughout the year. The city is served by an extensive public transit network and an international airport, and it remains an important hub for shipping, commerce, and culture in northern Europe.