or ALTENSA, a city in the duchy of Holstein, a part of Germany, but included within the dominions of Denmark. It is situated on the banks of the Elbe, and only separated from Hamburg by a ditch between the suburbs of the two cities. It is on an ascent, very gradually rising from the water's edge, with streets well-built, overlooking each other. In 1847 it contained 32,200 inhabitants, of whom 2300 were Jews, who are here allowed the free exercise of their religion, and have two synagogues and a high rabbi. Altona is a free port, and carries on a very extensive shipping trade, and also engages in the herring and whale fisheries. The number of vessels that entered the harbour in 1845 was 5253. The ship-building is considerable, and there are manufactures of woollen, cotton, silk, tobacco, leather and glass; besides breweries, distilleries, and sugar-refineries. The town is well built, and contains a royal observatory; a town-house, six churches, an anatomical theatre, a gymnasium, a public library, and an orphan asylum, &c. Altona was raised from the insignificance of a fishing village on passing into the possession of the Dames in 1640, who erected it into a city in 1664. It was burnt to the ground in 1713 by the Swedes under General Stenbock. It is in Long. 9. 57. 15. E. and Lat. 53. 43. 30. N.