The heart of Germany is
nowadays more exciting than
ever: The city that never
stands still and is forever
becoming is the focus of a
mammoth project of
reunification.
Berlin is the capital city
and one of the sixteen
Federal States of Germany.
With a population of 3.4
million in its city limits
(4.2 million within its
metropolitan area), Berlin
is the country's largest
metropolis. First documented
in the 13th century, Berlin
became the capital of the
German Empire in 1871; it
remained so until 1945.
After World War II, the
German Democratic Republic
(East Germany) claimed East
Berlin as its capital, while
West Berlin was a West
German enclave surrounded by
the Berlin Wall. Following
the reunification in 1990,
Berlin was restored as the
nation’s capital.
Evolutions and changes are
to be witnessed everywhere
in the city. Berlin is
different to all other
German cities – the changes
it has experienced
throughout history have
brought a distinct character
– the constant dialogue
between old and new is
undoubtedly the source of
Berlin's charm. Even though
the Wall has come down,
there's still a palpable
discrepancy between the
meanwhile increasing East
and the more upscale,
affluent West. The rapidly
evolving metropolis is home
to people from over 180
nations; Berlin is a magnet
for individuals who are
attracted by its liberal
lifestyle.
The influential center in
European politics, culture
and science serves as an
important hub of continental
transportation and is home
to some of the most highly
regarded universities,
research faculties and
museums.
What to see
Berlin has something for
everybody’s taste: Grand
public buildings, glorious
museums and theatres,
palaces and other sites of
historic interest. It is
also visually appealing with
ample greenery and scenic
lakes.
Berlin's architecture is
multifaceted: Though badly
damaged during World War II,
it is possible to see
representatives of various
historic periods within the
compact city center, from a
few surviving medieval
buildings near
Alexanderplatz and Prussian
architectural masterpieces
to the ultramodern glass and
steel structures at
Potsdamer Platz.
First-time visitors should
see famous Brandenburg Gate,
Checkpoint Charlie Museum at
the former border-crossing
between West and East, the
impressive Dahlem Museum and
Frederick the Great's
Sanssouci Palace & Gardens
in Potsdam, on the
outskirts.
