Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and along with its central port, also the second-largest port in Europe, ninth-largest port in the world.
There is no firm evidence of settlement in Hamburg before the fourth century A.D. Hamburg’s history begins with the Hammaburg, a moated castle of modest size, built in about ad 825 on a sandy promontory between the Alster and Elbe rivers. It soon became the seat of the Archbishop Ansgar, who used the castle as a base for missions to convert the wild heathens of northern Europe. The discovery of the New World and the expansion of trade in the 15th-17th centuries provided a wealth of new opportunities for the city. In the span of just a few years, the Harbor became one of the most important in the world, and the city grew into one of Europe's largest trading centers.
Hamburg acquires a fairly wet and windy weather, prevailing westerly winds blowing in moist air from the North Sea. Summers are warm but rainy, with occasional brief dry, sunny spells. Climate conditions cold winters , sometimes chilling to 28°F (-2°C) or below in January, the coldest month, when the Elbe and lakes in the city centre have been known to freeze enough for ice-skating. Snowfall is usually light, starting in early December, with icy sleet being the more common form of winter precipitation. The weather is very pleasant in spring when the city's thousands of trees come into bloom with a new cloak of green, and days start to warm up after the dreary winter.
Among Hamburg's many industries are the production of electrical equipment, machinery, vegetable and mineral oils, chemicals and cigarettes. Most of the country's copper resources are treated here, and the Norddeutsche Affinerie is Europe's second largest copper plant. Steel making and shipbuilding employ many workers. The Port of Hamburg and the numerous trade relations constitute the dynamic lifeline for the economic ties between Hamburg and the other countries. The Port of Hamburg is Germany’s largest seaport and Europe’s second-biggest container port. In recent years tourism has become an increasingly important industry in Hamburg.
Hamburg's extensive public transport system consists of the U-Bahn (subway), the S-Bahn (suburban train), buses and harbour ferries, and makes getting around without a car pleasurable. The U-Bahn is excellent and serves the whole city centre; it connects with the S-Bahn that services the suburbs, and this train network is the fastest way to get around the city. Buses are also convenient and night buses operate in the downtown area. Taxis are less expensive than other German cities and are available at all hours.
Pre-school children can either stay at home or go to a kindergarten. Schooling is provided free of charge. Germany's school system is basically a three-tier system made up of the primary, first-stage and second-stage secondary education. Tertiary education in Germany is divided up between universities and more joboriented technical colleges. School-leavers with an Abitur or equivalent certificate can choose the university and course they want. The Universitat Hamburg, founded in 1919, is one of the largest in Germany, with some 46,000 students and faculties covering virtually every discipline except certain technological subjects. A second university, the Technische Universitat Hamburg-Harburg, began classes in 1982. Hamburg also has state schools for music and interpretative art and for the sculptural arts.
Hamburg is home to an appealing variety of historic buildings, museums, and interesting sightseeing opportunities. Naval museum, houses several historic sailing vessels as well as memorabilia from the marine and shipping industries of the region's past. The museum sits in the port and offers sweeping views and walking tours of the Elbe. The museum offers an interesting look at the men and machinery that made German shipping a world power.
The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theatre, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration.
The end of the Hamburg Ballet season is commemorated by the traditional Hamburg Ballet Days, which presents the season’s best productions, and is the most prestigious dance event in the country. The famous ballet company is one of the best in the world. The highlight is the enchanting Nijinksi Gala on the final night that includes many top international appearances.
To celebrate over 800 years of harbour history, Hamburg's birthday festivities entail many water and air-based shows and activities, as well as live music, a funfair and lots of entertainment. Aquatic events are at the centre of the celebrations and traditional highlights include the ship’s parade, tugboat ballet and dragon boat racing, while helicopter tours, hot air balloon rides and parachuting take place above the harbour area.
