Difference between revisions of "Hamburg"
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Hamburg is the point of import of all Germany's bananas. | Hamburg is the point of import of all Germany's bananas. | ||
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Revision as of 22:26, April 1, 2008
Germany's second largest city with a population of 2,000,000, Hamburg (officially: the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg) is a major port on the River Elbe in the north of Germany, the second largest harbor in Europe and ninth largest worldwide.
The city dates its origins to the establishment of a fort by Charlemagne in AD 808. Much of the historic city center was destroyed in raids by the allied air forces in July and August 1943, which unleashed a firestorm during which some 50,000 people perished.
As well as being a major transport hub, Hamburg is a center of aircraft production, shipbuilding, the steel, copper and aluminium industries, and publishing. One of the main Airbus factories is located near Hamburg.
Hamburg is also famous for its night-life, the Reeperbahn being the pivotal street in the Kiez district, where popular beat combo The Beatles cut their teeth.
The current mayor, Oberbürgermeister Ole von Beust, is a Christian Democrat.
Hamburg is the point of import of all Germany's bananas.