| Esbjerg is a municipality (Danish, kommune) in Region Syddanmark ("South Denmark Region") on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark. Its mayor is Johnny Søtrup, from the Venstre (Center-Right Party) political party. By January 1, 2007 the old Esbjerg municipality was, as the result of Kommunalreformen ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007), merged with former Bramming and Ribe municipalities to form the new Esbjerg municipality. This municipality has an area of 741 km² (286 sq. miles) and a total population of 114,097 (2005).
The main town and the site of its municipal council is the city of Esbjerg - population 71,886 (2006), the 5th largest city in Denmark.
Neighboring municipalities with land connection are Tønder to the south, Haderslev to the southeast, Vejen to the east, and Varde to the north. Neighboring municipality to the west is Fanø, an island municipality located in Fanø Bay (Fanø Bugt). Beyond the island of Fanø and Fanø Bay is the North Sea.
Ferry service connects the municipality at the city of Esbjerg over Ho Bay to Nordby on the island of Fanø via Scandlines, and over the North Sea to Harwich, England via DFDS Seaways.
Esbjerg railway station is operated by Danish State Railways. Esbjerg is the western terminus of InterCity trains from Copenhagen (operating every second hour), the journey taking about three hours. DSB also operates local trains to Fredericia. Arriva operates Vestbanen local trains south to Ribe and Tønder and north to Struer.
The city of Esbjerg is a large transport hub for both rail and highway traffic, and is an important port for Danish North Sea oil offshore activity. It has an airport, and is a center for machine building. The municipality has a number of museums, theatres (operas also of ballet, drama), and several libraries.
The city of Esbjerg was established around the harbour, which the state had built in 1868 as a replacement for that harbour in Altona that had previously been Denmark's most important North Sea harbour. In 1874 Esbjerg became connected by rail to Fredericia and Varde.
The city has been elected "City of the Year" twice. The first time was in 1997 where the city was awarded because of the corporate work between public and private companies. In 2006 the city was again awarded "City of the Year". The second award was given due to the work and support of young talents. The talents in sports, artwork and music have been given good support and given the best facilities to develop their talent even further. The city holds an annual music festival spanning 2 weekends (9 days) during mid-August and is focused around the central Torvet Square which hosts the main stage. The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006.
The city was once Denmark's biggest fishing harbour, and the harbour is still an economic driving force in the town. Besides the fishing industry Esbjerg is also the main city for Denmark's oil and offshore activities. Companies like Mærsk Oil & Gas, Ramboll Oil & Gas, ABB A/S,COWI and Atkins Denmark all have offshore related activities in the city.
Esbjerg is one of the central towns of the University of Southern Denmark, and is also home to a branch of Aalborg University.
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