Stralsund

Stralsund, town in north-east Germany, in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, on the Strelasund (an inlet of the Baltic Sea), opposite Rügen Island. A seaport and rail junction, the town contains shipyards, metalworks, and food-processing plants. The town was founded in 1209 and later became a member of the Hanseatic League. Stralsund belonged to Sweden (1648-1807), France (1807-1814), and Denmark (1814-1815) before being annexed by Prussia. The city was badly damaged in World War II. Until German unification in 1990, the city was part of the Rostock District of East Germany. In 2002 its historic centre was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Population 58,800 (2005 estimate).