Germany, Hamburg

Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and with Hamburg Harbour, its principal port, Hamburg is also the second largest port city in Europe, no. 9 in the world-ranking of ports and the largest city in the European Union which is not a national capital.

Hamburg is situated on the southern tip of Jutland Peninsula, geographically centred (a) between Continental Europe and Scandinavia and (b) between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Hamburg is an international trade city and one of the commercial and cultural centres of Northern Germany.

Economy

The most significant economic basis for Hamburg is the harbor, which ranks 2nd in Europe and 9th worldwide with transshipments of 9 million standard container units (TEU) and 115 million tons of goods in 2004.

Demographics

70% of inhabitants are of ethnic German origin; 30% belong to other groups (mostly Turkish, Iranian, Afghan, Russian and Polish) - this includes people with partial non-German origin.

Religion

38% of inhabitants are Protestant, 10% Catholic, and 12% Muslim, while 40% profess no religion.

Language

As elsewhere in Northern Germany, the original language of Hamburg is Low Saxon, usually referred to as Hamborger Platt (German Hamburger Platt) or Hamborgsch.

Culture

Hamburg and vicinity is a popular residency for famous contemporary classical composers.

Hamburg is also one of the most important global centres for psychedelic trance music. It is home to many record labels such as Spirit Zone, Mushroom Magazine, the world's best known and longest running psy-trance magazine, as well as many parties, club nights.

Sports

The most popular sports team in Hamburg is Hamburger SV (which has played in the group stages of the Champions League twice in season 2000/2001 and just recently in the current season of 2006/2007), a football team in the Bundesliga.

Transport

Hamburg is connected by four Autobahnen (motorways) and is the most important railway junction on the route to Northern Europe. Hamburg Airport is the oldest airport in Germany still in operation. There is also the smaller Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport.