BERGEDORF

bergedorf, a town of germany, in the territory of hamburg, on the river bille, 10 m. by rail e. by s. from the city. pop. (1900) 23,728. it produces vegetables and fruit for the hamburg markets, and carries on tanning, glass manufacture, brewing and brick-making. it received civic rights in 1275, belonged to lubeck and hamburg conjointly from 1420 to 1868, and in the latter year was purchased by hamburg. the surrounding district, exceptionally fertile marshland, is known as die vierlande, being divided into four parishes, whence the name is derived.