Hamburg, officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second-largest city of Germany as well as one of the country's 16 constituent states, with a population of roughly 1.8 million people. The city lies at the core of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, which spreads across four German federal states and is home to more than 5 million people.
The official name reflects Hamburg's history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League, a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire, a city-state and one of the 16 states of Germany.
Although situated 68 miles (110 km) up the Elbe, it is considered a seaport due to its ability to handle large ocean-going vessels. Hamburg is thus home to Europe's second-largest port and a broad corporate base.
The city is a major international and domestic tourist destination. Hamburg is also a major European science, research, and education hub, with several universities and institutions.
In media, the major regional broadcasting firm NDR, the printing and publishing firm Gruner + Jahr and the newspapers Der Spiegel and Die Zeit are based in the city.
Hamburg has for centuries been a commercial centre of Northern Europe, and is the most important banking city of Northern Germany. Heavy industry of Hamburg includes the making of steel, aluminium, copper and various large shipyards. Media, commercial, logistical, and industrial firms with significant locations in the city include multinationals Airbus, Blohm + Voss, Aurubis, Beiersdorf, and Unilever.
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