Hamburg is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River, which is also crossed by hundreds of canals. The city is famous for its harbour area and close to its centre the Inner Alster Lake is lined with boats and surrounded by lots of cafés. The city’s main boulevard connects the Neustadt or New Town with the Altstadt or Old Town. The focal point of Hamburg's inner city area, are the Inner Alster (Binnenalster) and Outer Alster (Aussenalster), two artificial lakes connected to the River Alster and the Elbe.