Bremerhaven
[key], city, in the state of Bremen, NW Germany, at the mouth of the Weser
River, near the North Sea. It is one of the largest fishing ports in Europe
and is a major freight port. Founded in 1827, Bremerhaven in 1939 was
absorbed by Wesermünde, which had been formed in 1924 as the result
of the merger of the cities of Geestemünde and Lehe. In 1947 the
combined municipality was renamed Bremerhaven and returned to the state of
Bremen. The first regular ship service between continental Europe and the
United States was started in Bremerhaven in 1847. Today the fishing industry
is at the center of its economy, which includes fish processing and the
manufacture of cans, barrels, and nets.
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