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A commercial and industrial city, Bremen is, together with Oldenburg and Bremerhaven, part of the Bremen/Oldenburg Metropolitan Region, with 2.5 million people. Bremen is contiguous with the Lower Saxon towns of Delmenhorst, Stuhr, Achim, Weyhe, Schwanewede and Lilienthal.
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- Overview
- Geography
Bremen, city and Land (state), northwestern Germany. An enclave within the state of Lower Saxony, the state of Bremen comprises the German cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven. Bremen, the capital, is situated on the Weser River some 43 miles (70 km) from the North Sea. It is one of the largest ports of Germany and also one of the major industrial citi...
Located at the first ford above the river estuary, the Old Town of Bremen grew on a sand dune, sited above flood level on the Weser spillway, the glacially widened river channel. The windblown sand accumulated, in the postglacial period, up to a height of 45 feet (15 metres) above the flat marshes and moors of the Bremer Becken (lowlands). Because of the effect of North Sea tides and of the high subterranean water level, 71 miles (114 km) of dikes, associated with a complicated drainage system, play an important role in the Bremen urban area. The dune—25 miles (40 km) long and 2 miles (3 km) wide—has thus decisively influenced the northward and southward expansion of the city. The territorial possessions of the city also include large sections of swampy cultivated lowlands and stretches along the Weser, which became associated with the rise of further smaller settlements. The gradual incorporation of these rural communities—which had always had close economic relations with Bremen—started in 1849 and in 1945 brought the administrative area of the city of Bremen to its contemporary size.
Bremen ranks among the largest cities in Germany. Its population growth since the 19th century has been linked closely with its economic development. World War II saw a decline in the war-torn city’s population, but it rose sharply with the extensive postwar reconstruction. The vast majority of Bremen’s citizens are Protestants.
The economic life of the state reflects the historical interconnection of shipping, foreign trade, and industry. The port facilities of Bremen and Bremerhaven, which, administratively and economically, form one unit, incorporate free-port status, whereby imported goods can be handled and stored without time limits and without customs formalities. Bremerhaven handles about one-fourth of the total tonnage of goods in the two ports, just over half of which is mixed cargo, the remainder being composed of such bulk goods as grain, coal, ore, and oil. The merchant fleet of Bremen consists of several hundred seagoing vessels and many barges. The city of Bremerhaven, which covers 31 square miles (80 square km), was founded as an outer port for Bremen because of the silting up of the lower Weser. Today the port of Bremerhaven is the home of a large fishing fleet.
In Hanseatic times Bremen’s importance rested almost entirely on its character as a trading centre and as a seaport for handling raw materials and foodstuffs. Since the end of the 18th century, the port has handled, in increasing quantities, grain, timber, coffee, tobacco, wool, and cotton. These items are processed by local firms, which are among the largest of their kind in the country.
Originally, the city’s entire industrial potential—except for food industries—depended upon the shipyards and their supporting firms. After 1900 the Bremen economy became increasingly diversified, supplying the internal market and ensuring sufficient freight for outward-sailing ships.
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Discover Bremen, a vibrant and historic city on the river Weser, with its UNESCO World Heritage, museums, parks and culinary delights. Learn about its innovation, science and research, and enjoy its events, festivals and bike trails.
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Explore the beautiful Hanseatic city on the Weser with its rich history, culture and attractions. Find out what events, activities and tips suit you best in Bremen and Bremerhaven.
Take a stroll with us and enjoy the fresh air. Bremen, which is so beautiful, also has the scent of the sea. And the North Sea is not far away. But the city with its beautiful Hanseatic houses actually stretches along the Weser river.
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