The Elbe River rises on the Czech-Polish border and flows north-westwards to debouch at Cuxhaven, 100km downriver from Hamburg. Its navigable stretches were a key transport route for the Hansestädte along its route, and along its tributaries.
Hamburg was one of the founding members of the Hansa, and its trade alliance with Lübeck in 1241 formed the core of the League. Trade naturally centred around the harbour, which lay on the trade routes of the North and Baltic Seas and also provided access via the Elbe river to the towns and villages of the interior, including the Altmarkt.
The harbour is now the second largest in Europe (after Rotterdam – not a Hansestadt!). The Hafengeburtstag is celebrated every year; in 2009 it will be 810 years old, and the party is 8-10 May.
