Kiel is approximately90 kilometre (56mi) north oHamburg. Due tae its geographic location in the north o Germany, the sootheast o theJutland peninsula, an the soothwastren shore o theBaltic Sea, Kiel haes become ane o the major maritime centres o Germany. For instance, the ceety is kent for a variety o internaitionalsailin events, includin the annualKiel Week, which is the biggest sailin event in the warld. The Olympic sailin competitions o the1936 an the1972 Simmer Olympics wur held in Kiel.[3]
Kiel haes an aa been ane o the traditional hames o theGerman Navy'sBaltic fleet, an continues tae be a major heich-techshipbiggin centre. Kiel is an important sea transport hub, thanks tae its location at theKiel Fjord (Kieler Förde) an the busiest artificial waterway in the warld,Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal). A nummer o passenger ferries taeSwaden,Norrowey an ither kintras operate frae here. Moreower, the day Kiel harbour is an important port o caw forcruise ships tourin the Baltic Sea.
In 2005 Kiel'sGDP per capita wis€35,618, well abuinGermany's naitional average, an 159% o theEuropean Union's average.[4]
Athin Germany an pairts o Europe, the ceety is kent for its leadinhandbaw team,THW Kiel. The ceety is hame tae theUniversity o Kiel (established in 1665).
