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FOREIGN TRADE ZONES 
The development of Kiel after its union with the German Empire 
is closely connected with the growth of the German Navy, and for 
the last few decades before the World War ordinary commerce and 
trade was of insignificant importance compared to the activities 
directly connected with Kiel’s naval development. The entire 
commercial and industrial activity of the city was confined to the 
navy and the town’s own requirements. 
During the war Kiel played a most important part as the chief 
German naval base, and it was a center of naval construction for 
smaller craft, such as submarines, torpedo boats, and other light 
vessels. 
The mutiny of the marines at Kiel on November 4, 1918, was the 
initial impulse toward the general revolution and armistice. Since 
the conclusion of hostilities Kiel’s extensive fortifications have been 
razed and, of course, it no longer enjoys its previous prestige. 
The limitation of the German Navy and the reduction of its per- 
sonnel was naturally a severe blow to Kiel, and since the war the city 
has turned to more pacific activities as a means of livelihood. The 
shipyards have been devoting their efforts to the construction of 
tankers and yachts, the industrial plants, which were formerly devoted 
to naval purposes, are now turning out Diesel motors, motor railway 
cars, gyrocompasses, automatic steering apparatus, sounding appa- 
ratus worked by echoes, underwater signaling apparatus, and other 
technical products. * * * 
The creation of Kiel’s free harbor was also the result of its efforts 
to supplant the opportunities lost through the diminished naval estab- 
lishment. New municipal harbors were erected partly by making 
use of former naval plants, and it was in this way that the free harbor 
originated. 
The location of Kiel is such that, by the Kiel Canal, it is the most 
castern North Sea port and at the same time the most western Baltic 
Sea port, and hence no other German port, so Kiel claims, is so 
favorably situated for carrying on a transshipment trade from trans. 
Atlantic vessels to Baltic and vice versa. 
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Location.—The free port at Kiel is located just south of the entrance 
of the Kiel Canal into Kiel Bay. Itisknown as Wik Harbor * * *. 
[t consists of two harbors separated by a wide pier. 
Another free harbor at Kiel, to be known as the Vossbrook Harbor, 
is partly under construction * * * When completed it will be 
larger than the present Wik free port * * * 
Dimensions and area of free zone.—The free harbor district has an 
area of 6.3 hectares (15.6 acres) which is just as large as its water 
basin,