Bremerhaven (brāˈmərhäˌfən) [key], city (1994 pop. 131,490), 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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