The Hansa, or Hanseatic League, was a group of merchants from the 13th-17th century that dominated European trade from the Baltic to the North Sea. The group was basically a functional government without the title as a government. They created laws in the Hanseatic cities, and provided protection since trade was a very dangerous occupation at that time. Throughout the span of 5 centuries, the Hansa was a very flourishing organization for Northern Germany. An industry they had excelled in was selling ships. They sold to some of the biggest countries in Europe including Italy. That helped them dramatically because ships were a huge factor for merchants. They provided access into Scandanavia, which was important because Scandanavia had controlled most routes through the Baltic. The league was successful in creating trading posts in Norway, Flanders, and England. But by the 16th century the Swedish Empire had began to control trade in the Baltic leading to the Northern Sevens Year War. Even after the fall, some cities still represent themselves as a city of Hanseatic League. Basically styling their economy after the League.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanseatic_League