Contact Admin. Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg ; Low Saxon: Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg , [6] is the second-largest city in Germany and 8th largest city in the European Union with a population of over 1. One of Germany's 16 federal states , it is surrounded by Schleswig-Holstein to the north and Lower Saxony to the south.
The city's metropolitan region is home to more than five million people. The official name reflects Hamburg's history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.
Before the Unification of Germany , it was a fully sovereign city state , and before formed a civic republic headed constitutionally by a class of hereditary grand burghers or Hanseaten.
Beset by disasters such as the Great Fire of Hamburg , North Sea flood of and military conflicts including World War II bombing raids , the city has managed to recover and emerge wealthier after each catastrophe. Hamburg is Europe's third-largest port. Hamburg is the seat of Germany's oldest stock exchange and the world's oldest merchant bank , Berenberg Bank.
The city is a major international and domestic tourist destination. It ranked 18th in the world for livability in Hamburg is a major European science, research, and education hub , with several universities and institutions. Among its most notable cultural venues are the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle concert halls.
