The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and one of the 16 federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany and therefore both, a city and a state. 1.7 million inhabitants are living in Hamburg.  Hamburg is also an economically and culturally centre of Northern Germany. 3.5 million people live in the metropolitan region of Hamburg - for them, Hamburg is a shopping and cultural metropolis. Covering 755 square kilometers, the city area is seven times bigger than Paris and two and a half times bigger than London. As a result, Hamburg's living and housing standards are particularly high.

 

(pictures: Hamburg Tourismus GmbH)

 

With 30 square meters of living space per person, Hamburg has the biggest average living space of all major cities in the world. As much as 14% of the city area is made up of green spaces and recreational areas. Hamburg has 2,302 bridges - more than Venice and Amsterdam combined. With over 90 consulates, Hamburg is second only to New York City in the world. As a trade centre, Hamburg has always been outward-looking, and this has shaped the mentality of the inhabitants of Hamburg.