The city today. It is one of the largest seaports on the European continent. The Alster River flows through Hamburg and forms two large lakes in the city.
Many narrow canals crisscross the city.
The city today. Incendiary bombs caused huge fires. Large parts of the city's port and commercial areas were wiped out and many old churches and fine homes were badly damaged or destroyed. But the port and commercial areas have been rebuilt since the war. The city is a center of political and cultural activities.