Berlin is the official capital city of Germany as well as the seat of the president. Berlin was first assigned the official capital city status in 1871, after the unification of the former kingdoms into the new German Empire. Previously Berlin was the capital of Prussia, the leading state of the new Germany Empire. From 1871 Berlin remained the capital city of Germany until 1945 when Allied forces occupied the country following the defeat in World War II. Germany's sovereignty was restored in 1949, but the country was split into West Germany, and East Germany. Berlin was also divided into East Berlin and West Berlin. West Germany moved the capital to Bonn, whereas East Germany retained Berlin as the Capital. The situation remained until 1989 when Germany was reunified. Berlin is located in the northeastern part of Germany on the banks of two rivers: River Spree and Havel.
Berlin is home to 3.5 million residents as of the 2015 estimates. However, the Berlin metropolitan area, which includes the surrounding state of Brandenburg covering a total area of 30,370 square miles, has a total population of more than six million people
Berlin is a melting point of art, design, culture, fashion, and music. The former Berlin wall now hosts the East Side Gallery, which serves as an open air art gallery. Berlin is also home to the 26-meter Brandenburg Gate, which is a breathtaking landmark built as a tribute to King Frederick Wilhelm II in 1788. Today, the Gate stands as the symbol of German reunification. Not far from the Gate precisely one block away, is the Holocaust Memorial, a touching reminder of the Nazi-planned extermination of the Jewish population. In the memorial 2,177 concrete slabs lay in rows with more than three million names of the victims inscribed. Berlin is also home to some of the best nightclubs in the world.
Berlin's climate is classified as temperate continental. Unlike maritime climates, a continental climate has significant temperature differences between seasons. Summers in Berlin are warm and sometimes humid while winters are cool. Chilly to mild temperatures characterize spring and autumn in Berlin.
This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018
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