Berlin is the capital city and a state of Germany. It is the countries largest city in area and population and the second most populous city in the European Union. Berlin is located in eastern Germany, about 70 kilometres west of the border with Poland. The landscape was shaped by ice sheets during the last ice age.
Berlin is one of the most influential centres in European politics, culture and science. The city serves as an important junction of national and continental transportation.
First documented in the 13th century, Berlin became the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701 and of the German Empire in 1871 and remained so during periods of Weimar Republic and Third Reich until 1945. In times of division the German Democratic Republic claimed East Berlin as its capital, while West Berlin was a democratic island surrounded by East Germany. Following German reunification in 1990, Berlin again became capital of Germany.
After a fifty year lull, Berlin is back, back as the capital of a reunified Germany and back as one of Europes greatest cities. After World War II, Berlin was a crippled pawn, sandwiched between East and West, with a literal and metaphoric wall deeply dividing the two halves. The north eastern German city even suffered the ignominy of losing its capital status, as the West German government fled to Bonn. Today, the Cold War and the iconic events of November 1989, which saw the Berlin Wall torn to pieces by those whom it had oppressed for so long, are starting to seem like a distant memory and all the talk in Berlin is of the future.
A major tourist and shopping destination and is well known for its diverse range of convention venues and media outlets. It is home to some of the worlds most prominent universities, theatres and museums.
The rapidly changing metropolis at present enjoys an international reputation for its festivals, vibrant nightlife, contemporary architecture, and arts. Being home to people from over 180 nations, Berlin is a magnet for individuals who are attracted by its liberal lifestyle, urban eclecticism, and artistic freedom.
Contrary to the usual cliches about Germany, Berlin is a city with a laid back attitude and some of the liveliest nightlife in Europe. In Berlin today, there is everything from authentic beer halls and old Soviet era haunts right through to buzzing style bars and Latino nightclubs.
The climate is equally eclectic, with hot summer days giving way to occasionally freezing temperatures during the long grey winter. Todays experience is to laze through a summer day in the Tiergarten with the rabble of construction just out of earshot, sipping on a chilled Pilsner beer, while witnessing a city reinventing itself as one of Europes finest capitals.
