Hamburg - Free and Hanseatic

Hamburg Germany is the country's second largest city and hosts one of Europe's largest ports. Elegance abounds here and in the city's architecture--from its gracefully constructed office buildings to its enchanting gallerias. Don't let the name of the city fool you though, the food we know as a Hamburger was not invented here.

Hamburg's full name is the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Germany. This name dates back to its status as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and also marks it as a city-state. That's right, Hamburg and its surrounding environs makes up one of Germany's sixteen states. Hamburg is also known as "The Green City on the Water" because of the plethora of parks and lawns located throughout. The title is quite fitting; Hamburg is Germany's most verdant city.

The name Hamburg dates back to the ninth century when Charlemagne commissioned a fortification to be built upon a stretch of ground located between the Elbe and Alster rivers. The fort was named Hamma Burg.