German Cities Bremen

Bremen is one of the three German cities that are considered to be Stadtstaaten, or City-States, within the German Federal Republic, although the State of Bremen also includes Bremerhaven. Bremen has a total population of 548,477 spread over an area of 126.2 square miles (326.73 km. sq.), and is located on the River Wesser about 37 miles (60 kilometers) south of the North Sea. It is also known as the Freie Hansestadt Bremen, or the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, owing to its membership in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. Bremen is the tenth most populous city in the German Federal Republic, and is unique among German cities for many other reasons.

The history of Bremen stands out among those of other German cities. The first written reference to Bremen came in the year 150 CE, in the writings of geographer Claudius Ptolemaus, who called it Fabrianum / Phabrianum, which had been founded by the Chauci, the inhabitants of the area at the time. Later, this group combined with the Saxons. During the eighth and ninth centuries, these two groups warred with the Franks, who converted them to Christianity at sword point. Bremen eventually became a point of contact between the Germans of central Europe and the countries to the north, such as Denmark, England, and Norway. Bremen was secularized, or separated from the rule of the Church, in 1260, and afterwards, was admitted into the Hanseatic League.

Like many other German cities, Bremen has been shaped by the events of the past two centuries. Napoleon conquered Breemen in 1811, and it was under his control for four years before the armies of Prussia, England, Austria, and Russia defeated him at Waterloo. In 1827, Bremerhaven (“The Port” of Bremen) was established to serve as an outpost, and was created in order to keep trade routes open despite enormous silt buildups in the Wesser River. Bremen was firebombed during World War II, and became part of the occupation zone of the United States in the years following. When the Allied Powers helped the Germans to establish the Federal Republic of Germany, Bremen was granted its independence from Lower Saxony, as it had been an independent City-State for many centuries.

As in other German cities, many different industries have flourished in Bremen during the past six decades. The aerospace industry has grown enormously, as several production plants and space technology firms have established their headquarters in Bremen. The Mercedes-Benz company also has manufacturing facilities located here. Bremen is also home to a number of different food production companies, such as Beck’s beer, and the European headquarters of the Kellogg’s company.

Like many other German cities, Bremen is known for its yearly events, such as its music conventions, and its market days.