WISMAR

city, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Land (state), northern Germany. It lies along the Wismarbucht, an inlet of the Baltic Sea, east of Lbeck. First mentioned in 1229, it was chartered before 1250. Wismar was a member of the Hanseatic League, with most of its trade in herring and beer. In 1648 it passed to Sweden, which did not renounce its claims to the city until 1903, although Wismar was administered by Mecklenburg-Schwerin state after 1803. Many historic buildings were destroyed in World War II, but the medieval town centre remains. Wismar's channel and port facilities were greatly extended after World War II, and important new shipbuilding yards were established. Wismar is a road and rail junction; its industries include fishing, sugar refining, and metalworking. Pop. (1990 est.) 57,173.