Difference between revisions of "Berlin" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox German Bundesland
 
{{Infobox German Bundesland
|Name = Berlin
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|Name =Berlin
|German_name =  
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|German_name=
|image_photo = Cityscapeberlin2006.JPG
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|image_photo=Cityscapeberlin2006.JPG
|state_coa = Coat of arms of Berlin.svg
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|image_caption=
|coa_size = 70
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|state_coa =Coat of arms of Berlin.svg
|map = EU location Berlin.svg
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|coa_size =70
|map_size = 220
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|map =Berlin in Germany and EU.png
|map_text = Location of Berlin within Germany / EU
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|map_size =270
|flag = Flag of Berlin.svg
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|map_text =Location within [[European Union]] and [[Germany]]
<!--|flag2 = Flag of Berlin (state).svg—>
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|flag =Flag_of_Berlin.svg
|area = 891.82
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|area =891.85
|area_source =  
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|area_source=
|population = 3405000
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|population=3496082
|pop_ref =<ref name=DEstatis>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistik-portal.de/Statistik-Portal/de_zs01_bl.asp |title= State population |work= Portal of the Federal Statistics Office Germany |accessdate=2007-04-25}}</ref><ref name=LUZ>{{ cite web | url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=welcomeref&open=/&product=EU_MASTER_urban_audit&depth=2 | title=Indicators for larger urban zones 1999 - 2003 | work = Eurostat | accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref>
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|pop_ref =<ref name="Population">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistik-berlin-brandenburg.de//Publikationen/OTab/2012/OT_A01-01-00_124_201110_BE.pdf|title=Bevölkerungsstand in Berlin am 31. Oktober 2011 nach Bezirken|work=[[Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg]]|date=31 October 2011|accessdate=March 16, 2012|language=German}}</ref>
|pop_date = 2006-11-30
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|pop_date =31 October 2011
|pop_urban = 3700000 
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|pop_metro =4,429,847
|pop_metro = 4262480
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|elevation=34
|pop_metro_date    = 2004-12-31
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|demonym =Berliner
|elevation = 34 - 115
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|GDP =94.7
|GDP = 80.3
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|GDP_year =2010
|GDP_year = 2006
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|GDP_ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berlin.de/imperia/md/content/sen-wirtschaft/konjunkturdaten/a_03.pdf?start&ts=1272613011&file=a_03.pdf|title=Bruttoinlandsprodukt (nominal) in BERLIN seit 1995|language=German|date=30 March 2010}}</ref>
|Website = [http://www.berlin.de/english/index.html berlin.de] / [http://www.3d-stadtmodell-berlin.de/3d/en/seite0.jsp 3D Berlin]
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|leader_title=[[Governing Mayor of Berlin|Governing Mayor]]
|leader_title = [[List of mayors of Berlin|Governing Mayor]]
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|leader =Klaus Wowereit
|leader = Klaus Wowereit
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|leader_party=SPD
|leader_party = SPD
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|ruling_party1=[[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]]
|ruling_party1 = SPD
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|ruling_party2=[[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|CDU]]
|ruling_party2 = PDS
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|votes =4
|votes = 4
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|divisions =12 [[Boroughs and localities of Berlin|boroughs]]
|divisions = 12 [[Boroughs of Berlin|boroughs]]
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|NUTS =DE3
|NUTS = DE3  
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|State =Berlin
|State = Berlin
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|Vorwahl =030
|Vorwahl = 030
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|Kfz =B<small> (for earlier signs see note)</small><ref>Prefixes for vehicle registration were introduced in 1906, but often changed due to the political changes after 1945. Vehicles were registered under the following prefixes: "I A" (1906– April 1945; devalidated on 11 August 1945); no prefix, only digits (since July till August 1945), "БГ" (=BG; 1945–1946, for cars, lorries and busses), "ГФ" (=GF; 1945–1946, for cars, lorries and busses), "БM" (=BM; 1945–1947, for motor bikes), "ГM" (=GM; 1945–1947, for motor bikes), "KB" (i.e.: [[Allied Kommandatura|Kommandatura]] of Berlin; for all of Berlin 1947–1948, continued for [[West Berlin]] until 1956), "GB" (i.e.: Greater Berlin, for [[East Berlin]] 1948–1953), "I" (for East Berlin, 1953–1990), "B" (for West Berlin as of 1 July 1956, continued for all of Berlin since 1990).</ref>
|Kfz = B
+
|iso region=DE-BE
|PLZ = 10001–14199
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|PLZ =10001–14199
|lat_deg = 52|lat_min = 31
+
|coordinates_display=display=inline, title
|lon_deg = 13|lon_min = 25
+
|latd=52 |latm=30 |lats=2 |longd=13 |longm=23 |longs=56
 +
|date  =September 2010
 
}}
 
}}
'''Berlin''' is the [[capital]] city and one of the sixteen [[states of Germany|states]] of the [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-[[Brandenburg]] [[Larger Urban Zones (LUZ) in the European Union|metropolitan area]], comprising 4.9 million people from over 180 nations.
 
  
First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was successively the capital of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] (1701-1918), the [[German Empire]] (1871-1918), the [[Weimar Republic]] (1919-1933) and the [[Nazi Germany|Third Reich]] (1933-1945). After [[World War II]], the city was divided; [[East Berlin]] became the capital of [[German Democratic Republic|East Germany]] while [[West Berlin]] became a [[West Germany|Western]] [[enclave]], surrounded by the [[Berlin Wall]] from 1961-1989. Following the [[German reunification|reunification of Germany]] in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of all Germany.
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'''Berlin''' is the [[capital]] city and one of the 16 [[states of Germany|states]] of the [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-[[Brandenburg]] [[Larger Urban Zones (LUZ) in the European Union|metropolitan area]], comprising 4.9 million people from over 180 nations.
  
Berlin is a major center in [[European politics]], [[culture]], [[Mass media|media]], and [[science]].
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Berlin was successively the capital of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] (1701-1918), the [[German Empire]] (1871-1918), the [[Weimar Republic]] (1919-1933) and the [[Nazi Germany|Third Reich]] (1933-1945). After [[World War II]], the city was divided; [[East Berlin]] became the capital of [[German Democratic Republic|East Germany]] while [[West Berlin]] became a [[West Germany|Western]] [[enclave]], surrounded by the [[Berlin Wall]] from 1961-1989. Following the [[German reunification|reunification of Germany]] in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of all Germany.
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{{toc}}
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Berlin is a center in European [[politics]], [[culture]], [[Mass media|media]], and [[science]]. The [[metropolis]] is home to world-renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums and personalities. Recognized for its festivals, contemporary [[architecture]], nightlife and avant-garde arts, Berlin has evolved into a focal point for individuals attracted by [[Liberalism|liberal lifestyle]], and modern ''zeitgeist'' ("spirit of the times"). As capital of affluent and technologically powerful Germany, the economy of which is the fifth largest  in the world, and with [[Cold War]] issues in the past, Berlin can only be expected to prosper.
  
The [[metropolis]] is home to world-renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums and personalities. Berlin's urban landscape and historical legacy has made it a popular setting for international film productions. Recognized for its festivals, contemporary architecture, nightlife and avant-garde arts, Berlin has evolved into a focal point for individuals attracted by [[Liberalism|liberal lifestyle]], modern zeitgeist and low [[cost of living]].
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==Geography==
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[[Image:Berlin Mitte Luftansicht.jpg|thumb|left|250px|View over Central Berlin.]]
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[[Image:Potsdam view from above.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Potsdam on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin. It is a part of the Metropolitan area Berlin/Brandenburg.]]
  
==Geography==
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The name ''Berlin'' may derive from the old (West Slavic) [[Polabian language|Polabian]] stem ''berl-'' or ''birl-'' meaning "swamp."
[[Image:Berlin Mitte Luftansicht.jpg|thumb|left|250px|View over [[Mitte|Central Berlin]].]]
 
[[Image:Berlin.svg|thumb|left|250px|Natural and built environment.]]
 
[[Image:Potsdam view from above.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The hinterland of Berlin is covered with woodlands and numerous lakes ([[Havel]] river).]]
 
The name ''Berlin'' is of unknown origin, but may be related to the old (West Slavic) [[Polabian language|Polabian]] stem ''berl-'' or ''birl-'' meaning "swamp".
 
  
Berlin is located in eastern Germany, about 44 miles (70km) west of the border with [[Poland]] in an area with marshy terrain. Berlin's landscape was shaped by [[ice sheet]]s during the last [[Ice Age]]. The city center lies along the river [[Spree]] in the Berlin-Warsaw ''Urstromtal'' (ancient river valley), formed by water flowing from melting ice sheets at the end of the last Ice Age. The ''Urstromtal'' lies between the low Barnim plateau to the north, and the Teltow [[plateau]] to the south.  
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Berlin is located in eastern [[Germany]], about 44 miles (70km) west of the border with [[Poland]] in an area with marshy terrain. Berlin's landscape was shaped by [[ice sheet]]s during the last [[Ice Age]]. The city center lies along the river [[Spree River|Spree]] in the Berlin-Warsaw ''Urstromtal'' (ancient river valley), formed by water flowing from melting ice sheets.  
  
 
Substantial parts of present-day Berlin extend onto the low plateaus on both sides of the Spree Valley. Large parts of the boroughs [[Reinickendorf]] and [[Pankow]] lie on the Barnim plateau, while most of the boroughs [[Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf]], [[Steglitz-Zehlendorf]], [[Tempelhof-Schöneberg]], and [[Neukölln]] lie on the Teltow plateau. The borough of Spandau lies partly within the Berlin ''Urstromtal'' and partly on the Nauen Plain, which stretches to the west of Berlin.  
 
Substantial parts of present-day Berlin extend onto the low plateaus on both sides of the Spree Valley. Large parts of the boroughs [[Reinickendorf]] and [[Pankow]] lie on the Barnim plateau, while most of the boroughs [[Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf]], [[Steglitz-Zehlendorf]], [[Tempelhof-Schöneberg]], and [[Neukölln]] lie on the Teltow plateau. The borough of Spandau lies partly within the Berlin ''Urstromtal'' and partly on the Nauen Plain, which stretches to the west of Berlin.  
  
The highest elevations in Berlin are the [[Teufelsberg]] in the borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and the Müggelberge in the borough of [[Treptow-Köpenick]]. Both hills have an elevation of about 377 feet (115 meters). The Teufelsberg is in fact an artificial pile of rubble from the ruins of [[World War II]].
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The highest elevations in Berlin are the [[Teufelsberg]] and the Müggelberge, both of which  have an elevation of about 377 feet (115 meters). The Teufelsberg is a pile of rubble from the ruins of [[World War II]].
 
 
Berlin has a [[temperate]]/mesothermal climate. The mean annual temperature for Berlin-Dahlem  is 48.9°F (9.4°C), and its mean annual [[precipitation]] totals 22.8 inches (578mm). The warmest months are June, July, and August, with mean temperatures of 62.1°F to 64.2°F (16.7°C to 17.9°C). The coldest are December, January, and February, with mean temperatures of 31.3°F to 34.2°F (−0.4 to 1.2°C). Berlin's built-up area creates a [[microclimate]], with heat stored by the city's buildings. Temperatures can be 7.2°F (4°C) higher in the city than in the surrounding areas.  
 
  
In [[Spandau]], Berlin's westernmost borough, the Spree meets the river [[Havel]], which flows from north to south through western Berlin. The course of the Havel is more like a chain of lakes, the largest being the Tegeler See and [[Wannsee|Großer Wannsee]]. A series of lakes also feeds into the upper Spree, which flows through the [[Müggelsee|Großer Müggelsee]] in eastern Berlin.
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Berlin has a [[temperate]]/mesothermal climate. The warmest months are June, July, and August, with mean temperatures of 62.1°F to 64.2°F (16.7°C to 17.9°C). The coldest are December, January, and February, with mean temperatures of 31.3°F to 34.2°F (−0.4 to 1.2°C). Berlin's built-up area creates a [[microclimate]], with heat stored by the city's buildings. [[Temperature]]s can be 7.2°F (4°C) higher than in the surrounding areas. The mean annual [[precipitation]] totals 22.8 inches (578mm).
  
The city's appearance today is predominantly shaped by the key role it played in Germany's history in the [[20th century]]. Each of the national governments based in Berlin—the 1871 [[German Empire]], the [[Weimar Republic]], [[Nazi Germany]], [[East Germany]], and now the reunified [[Germany]]—initiated ambitious construction programs, each with its own distinctive character. Berlin was devastated by bombing raids during [[World War II]] and many of the old buildings that escaped the bombs were eradicated in the 1950s and 1960s in both West and East. Much of this destruction was initiated by municipal architecture programs to build new residential or business quarters and main roads. Berlin's unique recent history has left the city with an eclectic array of architecture and sights.
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In Spandau, Berlin's westernmost borough, the Spree meets the river [[Havel]], which flows from north to south through western Berlin. The course of the Havel is more like a chain of lakes, the largest being the Tegeler See and [[Wannsee|Großer Wannsee]]. A series of lakes also feeds into the upper Spree, which flows through the [[Müggelsee|Großer Müggelsee]] in eastern Berlin.
  
In the eastern part, many ''[[Plattenbau]]ten'' can be found, reminders of [[Eastern Bloc]] ambitions to create complete residential areas with fixed ratios of shops, kindergartens and schools. Another difference between former east and west is in the design of little red and green men on pedestrian crossing lights ([[Ampelmännchen]] in German); the eastern versions received an opt-out during the standardization of road traffic signs after reunification. The eastern Ampelmännchen design is now used in the western part of the city as well.
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Berlin was devastated by [[bomb]]ing raids during [[World War II]] and many of the old buildings that escaped the bombs were eradicated in the 1950s and 1960s, in both West and East Berlin, in programs to build new residential or business quarters and main roads. Berlin's unique recent history has left the city with an eclectic array of [[architecture]] and sights.
  
The city had an area of 344.31 square miles (891.82 square kilometers) in 2006.
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In the eastern part, many ''Plattenbauten'' can be found, reminders of [[Eastern Bloc]] ambitions to create complete residential areas with fixed ratios of shops, kindergartens and schools. Another difference between former east and west is in the design of little red and green men on pedestrian crossing lights ("Ampelmännchen" in German). The eastern Ampelmännchen design is now used in the western part of the city as well.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
[[Image:Fryderyk 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright| [[Frederick II of Prussia]] was one of Europe's [[enlightened absolutism|enlightened monarchs]].]]
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[[Image:Friedrich II transparent.png|thumb|upright| [[Frederick II of Prussia]] was one of Europe's [[enlightened absolutism|enlightened monarchs]].]]
[[Image:Memhardt1652.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Map of Berlin and Cölln, 1652.]]
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[[Image:Reichsgruendung2.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Berlin became the capital of the [[German Empire]] in 1871 after its proclamation in Versailles-France ([[Bismarck]] at the center in white)]]  
[[Image:Reichsgruendung2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Berlin became the capital of the [[German Empire]] in 1871 after its proclamation in Versailles-France ([[Bismarck]] at the center in white)]]  
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[[Image:Paul Hoeniger Spittelmarkt 1912.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Berlin in 1912.]]
[[Image:Paul Hoeniger Spittelmarkt 1912.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Berlin in 1912.]]
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[[Image:Reichstag flag.jpg|thumb|right|230px|[[Red Army]] soldiers raising the Soviet flag over the roof of the [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]] on May 2, 1945.]]
[[Image:Reichstag flag.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Red Army]] soldiers raising the Soviet flag over the roof of the [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]] on May 2, 1945.]]
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[[Image:Checkpoint Charlie 1961-10-27.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Soviet tanks face U.S. tanks at Checkpoint Charlie.]]
[[Image:Checkpoint Charlie 1961-10-27.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Soviet tanks face U.S. tanks at Checkpoint Charlie.]]
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[[Image:Berlinermauer.jpg|thumb|right|230px|The [[Berlin Wall]] in 1986, painted on the western side. People crossing the so-called death strip on the eastern side were at risk of being shot.]]
[[Image:Berlinermauer.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Berlin Wall]] in 1986, painted on the western side. People crossing the so-called death strip on the eastern side were at risk of being shot.]]
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[[Image:Checkpoint Charlie.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Former [[Checkpoint Charlie]].]]
[[Image:Checkpoint Charlie.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Former [[Checkpoint Charlie]].]]
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[[Image:Thefalloftheberlinwall1989.JPG|thumb|right|230px|The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.]]
[[Image:Thefalloftheberlinwall1989.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.]]
 
  
In 98 C.E., Roman historian [[Tacitus]] described the territory of [[Germania]], and what was to become Berlin was well outside the frontiers of the [[Roman Empire]]. [[Germanic tribes]] then inhabited the region. From the sixth century, [[Slavic peoples]] from the east started moving into the sparsely populated area between the [[Elbe]] and [[Oder]] rivers. About 720, Two Slavic tribes settled in the Berlin region. The [[Hevelli]] settled on the river [[Havel]] with their central settlement in [[Brandenburg an der Havel|Brandenburg]], while the [[Sprevane settled close to the river [[Spree]] in today's district of Berlin-[[Köpenick]]. About 750, The Hevelli founded Spandow (today's [[Spandau]]) on the river [[Havel]]. This seems to be the closest settlement to the area which is today known as Berlin.
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What was to become Berlin was well outside the frontiers of the [[Roman Empire]], and was inhabited by [[Germanic tribes]]. About 720 C.E., two Slavic tribes settled in the Berlin region—The [[Hevelli]] settled on the river [[Havel]] in [[Brandenburg an der Havel|Brandenburg]], while the [[Sprevane]] settled close to the river [[Spree]] in today's district of Berlin-[[Köpenick]]. About 750, The Hevelli founded Spandow (today's [[Spandau]]).
  
In the early ninth century, Slavic tribes settled an area under a name which is recorded in a [[Latin]] document as "Berolina". It was a small town with a stockade round, on a trade route linking southern [[Europe]] with the [[Baltic Sea]].
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In the early ninth century, "Berolina" was the name recorded in a [[Latin]] document of a small town in the region surrounded with a stockade, on a trade route linking southern [[Europe]] with the [[Baltic Sea]].
  
In 948, Emperor [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I the Great]] established German control over the now largely Slavic inhabitants of the area and founded the [[diocese]]s of [[Bishopric of Havelberg|Havelberg]] and [[Bishopric of Brandenburg|Brandenburg]].  
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In 948, Emperor [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I the Great]] established German control over the now largely Slavic inhabitants of the area and founded the [[diocese]]s of [[Bishopric of Havelberg|Havelberg]], and [[Bishopric of Brandenburg|Brandenburg]].  
  
 
===Cities merge===
 
===Cities merge===
The [[suburb]] of [[Spandau]] is first mentioned in 1197, and [[Köpenick]] in 1209, though these areas did not join Berlin until 1920. The central part of Berlin can be traced back to two towns: [[Cölln]] (on the [[Museum Island|Fisher Island]]) is first mentioned in a 1237 document, and Berlin (across the Spree in what is now called the [[Nikolaiviertel]]) in one from 1244. From the beginning, the two cities formed an economic and social unit. In 1307, the two cities were united politically. Over time, the twin cities came to be known simply as Berlin, the larger of the pair.
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The [[suburb]] of [[Spandau]] is first mentioned in 1197, and [[Köpenick]] in 1209, though these areas did not join Berlin until 1920. The central part of Berlin can be traced back to two towns: [[Cölln]] (on the [[Museum Island|Fisher Island]]) is first mentioned in a 1237 document, and Berlin in one from 1244. The two cities formed an economic and social unit. In 1307, the two cities were united politically, and, over time, came to be known simply as Berlin, the name of the larger of the pair.
  
In 1415 [[Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg|Frederick I]] became the [[prince-elector|elector]] of the [[Elector of Brandenburg|Margraviate of Brandenburg]], which he ruled until 1440. His successor, [[Frederick II, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick II]], established Berlin as capital of the margraviate, and subsequent members of the [[Hohenzollern]] family ruled until 1918 in Berlin, first as electors of Brandenburg, then as kings of [[Prussia]], and finally as German emperors.  
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In 1415 [[Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg|Frederick I]] became the [[prince-elector|elector]] of the [[Elector of Brandenburg|Margraviate of Brandenburg]], which he ruled until 1440. His successor, [[Frederick II, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick II]], established Berlin as capital of the margraviate, and subsequent members of the [[Hohenzollern]] family ruled from there until 1918, as electors of Brandenburg, as kings of [[Prussia]], and finally as German emperors.  
  
In 1448 citizens rebelled in the “Berlin Indignation” against the construction of a new royal palace by Elector [[Frederick II, Margrave of Brandenburg|Frederick II Irontooth]]. This protest was not successful, however, and the citizenry lost many of its political and economic privileges. In 1451 Berlin became the royal residence of the Brandenburg electors, and Berlin had to give up its status as a free [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] city. In 1539 the electors and the city officially became [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]].
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In 1448, citizens rebelled against the construction of a new royal palace by [[Frederick II, Margrave of Brandenburg|Frederick II Irontooth]], and lost many political and economic privileges. In 1451, Berlin became the royal residence, and had to give up its status as a free [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] city. In 1539, the electors and the city officially became [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]].
  
===Edict of Potsdam===
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===Immigration===
The [[Thirty Years' War]], between 1618 and 1648, resulted in damage to one third of the houses of Berlin, and the loss of half of the city's population. [[Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick William]], known as the “Great Elector,” who had succeeded his father [[George William of Brandenburg|George William]] as ruler in 1640, initiated a policy of promoting [[immigration]] and [[religious toleration|religious tolerance]]. With the [[Edict of Potsdam]] in 1685, Frederick William offered [[right of asylum|asylum]] to the French [[Huguenot]]s. More than 15,000 Huguenots went to Brandenburg, of whom 6000 settled in Berlin. By 1700, approximately twenty percent of Berlin's residents were French, and their cultural influence on the city was immense. Many other immigrants came from [[Bohemia]], [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]], and [[Archbishopric of Salzburg|Salzburg]].
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The [[Thirty Years' War]], between 1618 and 1648, resulted in damage to one third of Berlin's houses, and the loss of half the city's population. [[Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick William]], known as the “Great Elector,” who had succeeded his father in 1640, promoted [[immigration]] and [[religious toleration|religious tolerance]]. With the [[Edict of Potsdam]] in 1685, Frederick William offered [[right of asylum|asylum]] to the French [[Huguenot]]s. More than 15,000 Huguenots went to [[Brandenburg]], of whom 6,000 settled in Berlin. By 1700, approximately 20 percent of Berlin's residents were French. Many other immigrants came from [[Bohemia]], [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]], and [[Archbishopric of Salzburg|Salzburg]].
  
===Prusian capital===
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===Prussian capital===
With the coronation of [[Frederick I of Prussia|Frederick I]] in 1701 as king, Berlin became the capital of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]]. In 1740 Friedrich II, known as [[Frederick the Great]] (1740-1786) came to power. Berlin became, under the rule of the philosophically-oriented Frederick II, a center of [[the Enlightenment]]. Following [[First French Empire|France's]] victory in the [[War of the Fourth Coalition]], [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] marched into Berlin in 1806, but granted self-government to the city.  
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With the coronation of [[Frederick I of Prussia|Frederick I]] in 1701 as king, Berlin became the capital of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]]. In 1740, the [[philosophy|philosophically]]-oriented Friedrich II, known as [[Frederick the Great]] (1740-1786) came to power, and Berlin became a center of [[the Enlightenment]]. Following [[First French Empire|France's]] victory in the [[War of the Fourth Coalition]], [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] marched into Berlin in 1806, but granted self-government to the city.  
  
 
===Industrial expansion===
 
===Industrial expansion===
The [[Industrial Revolution]] transformed Berlin during the 19th century; the city's economy and population expanded dramatically, and it became the main rail hub and economic center of Germany. Additional suburbs soon developed and increased the area and population of Berlin. In 1861, outlying suburbs including [[Wedding (Berlin)|Wedding]], [[Moabit]], and several others were incorporated into Berlin. In 1871, Berlin became capital of the newly founded [[German Empire]].
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The [[Industrial Revolution]] transformed Berlin during the nineteenth century; the city's economy and population expanded dramatically, and it became the main rail hub and economic center of Germany. Additional suburbs soon developed. In 1861, outlying suburbs including [[Wedding (Berlin)|Wedding]], [[Moabit]], and several others were incorporated. In 1871, Berlin became capital of the newly founded [[German Empire]].
  
 
=== Weimar Republic ===
 
=== Weimar Republic ===
At the end of [[World War I]] in 1918, the [[Weimar Republic]] was proclaimed in Berlin. In 1920, the [[Greater Berlin Act]] united dozens of suburban cities, villages, and estates around Berlin into a greatly expanded city and established Berlin as a separate administrative region. After this expansion, Berlin had a population of around four million. Berlin in the 1920s was an exciting city known for its liberal subcultures, including [[Homosexuality|homosexuals]] and [[prostitution]] and well known for its fierce political street fights. This is portrayed in the 1972 film [[Cabaret (film)|Cabaret]], set in 1931.
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At the end of [[World War I]] in 1918, the [[Weimar Republic]] was proclaimed. In 1920, the [[Greater Berlin Act]] united dozens of suburban cities, villages, and estates into a greatly expanded city and established Berlin as a separate administrative region. Berlin, then with a population of around four million, was an exciting city known for a liberal subculture, including [[Homosexuality|homosexuals]] and [[prostitution]], and for its fierce political street fights.  
  
 
===Hitler===
 
===Hitler===
[[German election, 1933|After the 1933 elections]], [[Adolf Hitler]] and the [[National Socialist German Workers Party|Nazi Party]] came to power in 1933. Nazi rule destroyed Berlin's [[Jewish]] community, which numbered 170,000 before the Nazis came to power. After the [[pogrom]] of [[Kristallnacht]] in 1938, thousands of the city's German Jews were imprisoned in the nearby [[Sachsenhausen concentration camp]] or, in early 1943, were shipped to death camps, such as [[Auschwitz concentration camp|Auschwitz]]. Hitler had planned to rebuild Berlin on a massive scale, renaming it "[[Welthauptstadt Germania]]"; apart from the [[Olympic Stadium, Berlin|Olympic Stadium]], however, the plan never got off the ground because of the war. During the war, large parts of Berlin were destroyed in [[Battle of Berlin (air)|the 1943–45 air raids]] and during the [[Battle of Berlin]].  
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Following the 1933 elections, [[Adolf Hitler]] and the [[National Socialist German Workers Party|Nazi Party]] came to power. Nazi rule destroyed Berlin's [[Jewish]] community, which numbered 170,000 before the Nazis came to power. After the [[pogrom]] of [[Kristallnacht]] in 1938, thousands of the city's German Jews were imprisoned in the nearby [[Sachsenhausen concentration camp]] or, in early 1943, were shipped to death camps, such as [[Auschwitz]]. Hitler had planned to rebuild Berlin on a massive scale, renaming it "Welthauptstadt Germania"; but apart from the Olympic Stadium, the plan never progressed. Large parts of Berlin were destroyed in the 1943–1945 air raids and during the [[Battle of Berlin]].  
  
 
===City divided===
 
===City divided===
After the [[end of World War II in Europe|end of the war in Europe]] in 1945, Berlin received large numbers of refugees from the Eastern provinces. The victorious powers divided the city into four sectors, analogous to the [[Allied Occupation Zones in Germany|occupation zones]] into which Germany was divided. The sectors of the Western Allies (the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[France]]) formed [[West Berlin]], while the [[Soviet Union|Soviet sector]] formed [[East Berlin]].
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After the end of World War II in 1945, Berlin received large numbers of [[refugee]]s from the Eastern provinces. The victorious powers divided the city into four sectors—the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[France]] formed [[West Berlin]], while the [[Soviet Union|Soviet sector]] formed [[East Berlin]]. Initially, all four Allies retained shared responsibility for the city. However, the growing political differences between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union led the latter, which controlled the territory surrounding Berlin, to impose an [[economic blockade]] of West Berlin.  
  
All four allies retained shared responsibility for Berlin. However, the growing political differences between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union led the latter, which controlled the territory surrounding Berlin, to impose the [[Berlin Blockade]], an economic blockade of West Berlin. The allies successfully overcame the Blockade by airlifting food and other supplies into the city from 24 June 1948 to 11 May 1949. In 1949, the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] was founded in [[West Germany]] and consisted of the American, British and French zones, but excluded those three countries' zones of Berlin, while the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninist]] German Democratic Republic was proclaimed in [[East Germany]]. West Berlin remained a free city that was separate from the Federal Republic of Germany, and issued its own postage stamps. Airline service to West Berlin was granted only to American, British and French airlines. Lufthansa and other German airlines were prohibited from flying to West Berlin.
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The Allies countered the blockade by [[Berlin Air-Lift|airlifting]] food, fuel, and other supplies, at an increasing rate of up to 5500 tons per day, into the city from June 24, 1948, to May 11, 1949, when the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] was founded in [[West Germany]], consisting of the American, British and French zones. Meanwhile, the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninist]] German Democratic Republic was proclaimed in [[East Germany]]. West Berlin remained a free city that was separate from the Federal Republic of Germany.
  
 
===Cold War===
 
===Cold War===
The founding of the two German states increased [[Cold War]] tensions. West Berlin was surrounded by East German territory. East Germany, however, proclaimed East Berlin (which it described only as "Berlin") as its capital, a move that was not recognized by the Western powers. Although half the size and population of West Berlin, it included most of the historic center of the city. The tensions between east and west culminated in the construction of the [[Berlin Wall]] between East and West Berlin and other barriers around West Berlin by East Germany on 13 August 1961 and were exacerbated by a tank standoff at [[Checkpoint Charlie]] on October 27, 1961. West Berlin was now [[de facto]] a part of West Germany with a unique legal status, while East Berlin was de facto a part of East Germany.
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West Berlin was surrounded by East German territory. [[East Germany]] proclaimed East Berlin (which it described only as "Berlin") as its capital, a move not recognized by the Western powers. Although half the size and population of West Berlin, it included most of the historic center of the city. The [[Cold War]] tensions between east and west culminated in the construction of the [[Berlin Wall]] between East and West Berlin and other barriers around West Berlin by East Germany on August 13, 1961, and were exacerbated by a tank stand-off at [[Checkpoint Charlie]] on October 27, 1961. West Berlin became a de facto part of [[West Germany]] with a unique legal status, while East Berlin was de facto a part of East Germany.
  
Berlin was completely separated. It was possible for Westerners to pass from one to the other only through strictly controlled checkpoints. For most Easterners, travel to West Berlin or West Germany was no longer possible. In 1971, a [[Four Power Agreement on Berlin|Four-Power agreement]] guaranteed access across East Germany to West Berlin and ended the potential for harassment or closure of the routes.  
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It was possible for Westerners to pass from one section to the other only through strictly controlled checkpoints. For most Easterners, travel to West Berlin or West Germany was no longer possible. In 1971, a Four-Power agreement guaranteed access across East Germany to West Berlin and ended the potential for harassment or closure of the routes.  
  
 
===Wall demolished===
 
===Wall demolished===
In 1989, pressure from the East German population brought a transition to a market-based economy in East Germany, and its citizens gained free access across the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, which was subsequently mostly demolished. Not much is left of it today; the [[East Side Gallery]] in [[Friedrichshain]] near the ''Oberbaumbrücke'' over the [[Spree]] preserves a portion of the Wall.  
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{{readout||left|250px|The Berlin Wall, which had divided the East and West sections of the city since 1945, was demolished in 1989}}
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In 1989, pressure from the East German population brought a transition to a market-based economy in East Germany, and its citizens gained access across the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, which was subsequently mostly demolished. Only a portion of the Wall remains; the East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain near the ''Oberbaumbrücke'' over the Spree.  
  
On October 3, 1990, the two parts of Germany were [[German reunification|reunified]] as the Federal Republic of Germany, and Berlin became the German capital according to the unification treaty. In 1999, the [[Bundestag|German parliament]] and government began their work in Berlin.
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On October 3, 1990, the two parts of Germany were [[German reunification|reunified]] as the Federal Republic of Germany, and Berlin became the German capital. In 1999, the [[Bundestag|German parliament]] and government began their work in Berlin.
  
 
==Government==
 
==Government==
[[Image:Berlin reichstag CP.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]] is the site of the German parliament.]]
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Germany is a [[federation|federal]] [[parliamentary democratic|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]] is the [[head of government]], and of a pluriform multi-party system. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. Federal [[legislative power]] is vested in both the [[government]] and the two chambers of parliament, the [[Bundestag (Germany)|Bundestag]] and [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]].  
[[Image:Klaus Wowereit 02.png|thumb|right|250px|Governing Mayor [[Klaus Wowereit]].]]
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[[Image:Berlin reichstag CP.jpg|thumb|right|230px|The [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]] is the site of the German parliament.]]
[[Image:BerlinDistricts.svg|thumb|right|250px|Map of Berlin's 12 boroughs and their localities.]]
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[[Image:BerlinDistricts.svg|thumb|right|230px|Map of Berlin's 12 boroughs and their localities.]]
Germany is a [[federation|federal]] [[parliamentary democratic|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]] is the [[head of government]], and of a pluriform multi-party system. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. Federal [[legislative power]] is vested in both the [[government]] and the two chambers of parliament, the [[Bundestag (Germany)|Bundestag]] and [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]]. Berlin, as the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, is the seat of the [[President of Germany]], whose official residence is [[Schloss Bellevue]].
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Since German reunification on October 3, 1990, Berlin has been one of the three [[city state]]s, together with [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen (state)|Bremen]], among the present 16 [[states of Germany]]. Though most of the ministries are seated in Berlin, some of them, as well as some minor departments, are seated in [[Bonn]], the former capital of [[West Germany]]. The [[European Union]] invests in several projects within the city of Berlin. Infrastructure, education and social programs are co-financed with budgets taken from [[EU]] cohesion funds.
 
 
Since German reunification on October 3, 1990, Berlin has been one of the three [[city state]]s, together with [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen (state)|Bremen]], among the present 16 [[states of Germany]]. The [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]] ("federal council") is the representation of the Federal States ''(Bundesländer)'' of Germany and has its seat at the former Prussian [[Herrenhaus]] (House of Lords). Though most of the ministries are seated in Berlin, some of them, as well as some minor departments, are seated in [[Bonn]], the former capital of West Germany. The [[European Union]] invests in several projects within the city of Berlin. Infrastructure, education and social programs are co-financed with budgets taken from EU cohesion funds.
 
 
 
===City state===
 
The city and state [[parliament]] is the House of Representatives ''(Abgeordnetenhaus)'', which had 141 seats in 2008. Berlin's [[executive (government)|executive]] body is the [[Senate]] of Berlin ''(Senat von Berlin)''. The Senate of Berlin consists of the [[List of mayors of Berlin|Governing Mayor]] ''(Regierender Bürgermeister)'' and up to eight senators holding ministerial positions, one of them holding the official title "Mayor" ''(Bürgermeister)'' as deputy to the Governing Mayor. The [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD) and [[Left Party (Germany)|Party of Democratic Socialism]] (PDS) took control of the city government after the [[Berlin state election, 2001|2001 state election]] and won another term in the [[Berlin state election, 2006|2006 state election]].
 
 
 
The Governing Mayor is simultaneously Lord Mayor of the city ''(Oberbürgermeister der Stadt)'' and Prime Minister of the Federal State ''(Ministerpräsident des Bundeslandes)''. The office of Berlin's Governing Mayor is in the [[Rotes Rathaus]] (Red City Hall). Since 2001 this office has been held by [[Klaus Wowereit]] of the SPD. The city's government is based on a coalition between the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] and [[The Left Party.PDS|The Left Party]].
 
  
Mainly due to reunification-related expenditures, Berlin as a German state has accumulated more debt than any other city in Germany, with the estimate being €61 ($79)bn in June 2007.  
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The city and state [[parliament]] is the House of Representatives ''(Abgeordnetenhaus),'' which had 141 seats in 2008. Berlin's [[executive (government)|executive]] body is the [[Senate]] of Berlin ''(Senat von Berlin),'' which consists of the [[List of mayors of Berlin|Governing Mayor]] ''(Regierender Bürgermeister)'' and up to eight senators holding ministerial positions, one of them holding the title "Mayor" ''(Bürgermeister)'' as deputy to the Governing Mayor.  
  
===Boroughs===
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The Governing Mayor is simultaneously Lord Mayor of the city ''(Oberbürgermeister der Stadt)'' and Prime Minister of the Federal State ''(Ministerpräsident des Bundeslandes).''  
Berlin is subdivided into [[Boroughs and localities of Berlin|12 boroughs]] ''(Bezirke)'', but before [[Berlin's 2001 administrative reform]] there were 23. Each borough is subdivided into a number of localities ''(Ortsteile)'', which represent the traditional [[urbanization|urbanized]] areas that inhabitants identify with. Some of these have been rearranged several times over the years. At present the city of Berlin consists of 95 such localities. The localities often consist of a number of city neighborhoods (usually called ''[[Kiez]]'' in the Berlin dialect) representing small residential areas.
 
  
Each borough is governed by a borough council ''(Bezirksamt)'' consisting of five councilors ''(Bezirksstadträte)'' and a borough mayor ''(Bezirksbürgermeister)''. The borough council is elected by the Borough Assembly ''(Bezirksverordnetenversammlung)''. The boroughs of Berlin are not independent municipalities. <!-- ([[urban district]], ''Stadtkreis'') —> The power of borough governments is limited and subordinate to the Senate of Berlin. The borough mayors form the Council of Mayors ''(Rat der Bürgermeister)'', led by the city's Governing Mayor, which advises the Senate.
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Berlin is subdivided into [[Boroughs and localities of Berlin|12 boroughs]] ''(Bezirke).'' Each borough is subdivided into a number of localities ''(Ortsteile),'' which represent the traditional [[urbanization|urbanized]] areas that inhabitants identify with. The city of Berlin in 2008 consisted of 95 such localities. The localities often consist of a number of city neighborhoods (usually called ''[[Kiez]]'' in the Berlin dialect) representing small residential areas.
  
The localities have no government bodies of their own, even though most of the localities have historic roots in older municipalities that predate the formation of Greater Berlin on 1 October 1920. The subsequent position of locality representative ''(Ortsvorsteher)'' was discontinued in favor of borough mayors.
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Each borough is governed by a borough council ''(Bezirksamt)'' consisting of five councilors ''(Bezirksstadträte)'' and a borough mayor ''(Bezirksbürgermeister).'' The borough council is elected by the borough assembly ''(Bezirksverordnetenversammlung).'' The boroughs of Berlin are not independent municipalities, and are subordinate to the Senate of Berlin. The borough mayors form the Council of Mayors ''(Rat der Bürgermeister),'' led by the city's Governing Mayor, which advises the Senate.
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Berlin}}
 
 
[[Image:Berlin-alt-treptow treptowers 20050922 441 corr.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The economy of the city is mainly based on the service sector (Allianz building in Treptow).]]
 
[[Image:Berlin-alt-treptow treptowers 20050922 441 corr.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The economy of the city is mainly based on the service sector (Allianz building in Treptow).]]
 
[[Image:BlnHauptbahnhof28.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Berlin Hauptbahnhof|Berlin's Central Railway Station]]]]
 
[[Image:BlnHauptbahnhof28.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Berlin Hauptbahnhof|Berlin's Central Railway Station]]]]
[[Image:Ubahn oberbaum.gif|right|thumb|250px|The [[Berlin U-Bahn|U-Bahn]].]]
 
 
[[Image:EDDT Empfang & Tower.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Tegel International Airport]].]]
 
[[Image:EDDT Empfang & Tower.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Tegel International Airport]].]]
[[Image:Berlin HKW Mitte.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Heizkraftwerk [[Mitte]]]]
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Berlin was once a major manufacturing center and the economic and financial hub of Germany. It was founded at a point where trade routes crossed the [[River Spree]] and quickly became a commercial center. During the early modern period, the city prospered from its role as [[Prussia]]n capital by manufacturing luxury goods for the Prussian court and supplies for the Prussian military. The city suffered economically during the [[Cold War]], when West Berlin was isolated geographically and East Berlin suffered from poor economic decisions made by East Germany’s [[socialism|socialist]] central planners.  
[[Image:Berlin Einwohnerentwicklung 1880 2006.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Population 1880-2006.]]
 
[[Image:FranzGymnasium2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Französisches Gymnasium Berlin|The Französisches Gymnasium]].]]
 
Berlin is Germany’s largest industrial town. The city's economy is primarily based on the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of [[creative industries]], media corporations, environmental services, congress and convention venues.
 
 
 
After the reunification of Germany and Berlin in 1990, substantial subsidies were phased out, formerly received by the city of West Berlin. The industrial base of former East Berlin decreased dramatically within a decade, leading to an unemployment rate of almost 20 percent and stagnant GDP growth rates until 2005. In 2006 the nominal [[gross domestic product|GDP]] of Berlin experienced a growth rate of 1.5 percent (2.7 percent in Germany) and totaled €80.3 ($104.4) billion. Berlin's per capita GDP was $30,252 in 2004. Since 2006, the unemployment rate steadily decreased to 14.9 percent (2007) but remained above the German (8.4 percent) and the EU27 (6.7 percent) average.
 
  
Berlin developed a complex transportation and energy-supply infrastructure before World War II. After the war, West Berlin was cut off from the surrounding territory and had to develop independent infrastructures. Meanwhile, the government of East Germany purposefully constructed rail lines and motorways that allowed traffic to bypass West Berlin. The political reunification of East and West Berlin has led to the reintegration of Berlin's transportation and energy-supply with the infrastructures of the surrounding region. Also during the division of Berlin, the power grid of West Berlin was cut off from the power grid of the surrounding areas in [[East Germany]].
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After the reunification of Germany and Berlin in 1990, substantial subsidies were phased out, formerly received by the city of West Berlin. The industrial base of former East Berlin decreased dramatically within a decade, leading to an [[unemployment]] rate of almost 20 percent and stagnant GDP growth rates until 2005. In 2006, the nominal [[gross domestic product|GDP]] of Berlin experienced a growth rate of 1.5 percent (2.7 percent in Germany) and totaled €80.3 ($104.4) billion. Berlin's per capita GDP was $30,252 in 2004. Since 2006, the unemployment rate steadily decreased to 14.9 percent (2007) but remained above the German (8.4 percent) and the EU27 (6.7 percent) average.<ref>''BBC News''. October 2, 2007. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7023728.stm Eurozone jobless marks record low] Retrieved July 31, 2008.</ref>
  
Berlin is among the top five congress cities in the world and is home to Europe's biggest convention center in the form of the Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC). It contributes to the rapidly increasing tourism sector which encompasses 581 hotels with 87,800 beds and numbers around 15.9 million overnight stays and 7.1 million hotel guests in 2006, making Berlin the third most visited city in the European Union.
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The arrival of the federal government in 1999 brought some economic stimulus to Berlin. Berlin’s [[Tertiary sector of industry|service sectors]] have also benefited from improved transportation and communications links to the surrounding region.  
  
Manufacturing includes the production of [[textiles]], [[metals]], [[clothing]], [[porcelain]] and [[china]], [[bicycles]], and [[machinery]]. It is also a center for the production of [[food]], [[chemicals]], [[cigarettes]], and [[confectionery]].  
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Some [[manufacturing]] remains in the city ([[Siemens AG|Siemens]] and [[Schering]] are headquartered there, for instance). Items produced there include [[textile]]s, [[metal]]s, [[clothing]], [[porcelain]] and [[china]], [[bicycle]]s, and [[machinery]]. It is also a center for the production of [[food]], [[chemical]]s, [[cigarette]]s, and [[confectionery]].  
  
Other industries include [[traffic engineering]], [[optoelectronics]], [[Information technology|IT]], [[Automaker|vehicle manufacturing]], [[health care]], [[biomedical engineering]], and [[biotechnology]].  
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The service sectors have become the city’s economic mainstay. [[Research and development]] have gained significance, and Berlin now ranks among the top three innovative regions in the EU (after [[Baden-Württemberg]] and the [[Ile de France]] region).  
  
Berlin is the home of many television and radio stations; international, national as well as regional. The city has Germany's largest number of daily newspapers, with numerous local [[broadsheet]]s ([[Berliner Zeitung]], [[Der Tagesspiegel]]), and three major [[tabloid]]s, as well as national dailies of varying sizes, each with a different political affiliation, such as [[Die Welt]], [[Junge Welt]], [[Neues Deutschland]], and [[Die Tageszeitung]].  
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Fast-growing sectors are [[communications]], [[life sciences]], mobility and services with information and communication technologies, [[media]] and [[music]], advertising and design, [[biotechnology]] and environmental services, [[transportation]] and medical engineering.  
  
Berlin is an important center in the European and [[Cinema of Germany|German film industry]]. It is home to more than one thousand film and television production companies, 270 movie theaters, and around 300 national and international co-productions are filmed in the region every year.  
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Some notable companies with their headquarters in Berlin are [[Axel Springer AG]], [[Deutsche Bahn]], [[Bombardier Transportation]], [[Universal Music]] Germany and [[Vattenfall]] Europe.
  
Among the [[Forbes Global 2000]] and the 30 German [[DAX]] companies only [[Siemens]] controls a headquarter in Berlin. Nevertheless, a multitude of German and international companies established secondary departments or service offices in the city. Among the 20 largest employers in Berlin are the railway company Deutsche Bahn AG, the hospital company Charité, the local public transport company BVG, the service provider Dussmann and the Piepenbrock Group. [[DaimlerChrysler]] manufactures cars, and [[BMW]] builds [[BMW motorcycles|motorcycles]] in Berlin. BayerSchering Pharma and Berlin Chemie are major pharmaceutical companies headquartered in the city.  
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Berlin is among the top five congress cities in the world and is home to Europe's biggest convention center in the form of the Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC). It contributes to the rapidly increasing [[tourism]] sector encompassing 592 hotels with 90,700 beds and numbered 17.3 million overnight stays and 7.5 million hotel guests in 2007. Berlin has established itself as the third most visited city destination in the [[European Union]].
  
The Science and Business Park of Berlin-Adlershof is among the 15 biggest technology parks world-wide. Research and development have established economic significance, and the Berlin Brandenburg region ranks among the top three innovative regions in the EU.
 
 
 
Public transport within Berlin is provided by the S-Bahn, which is a mostly overground urban railway system, and the U-Bahn, which is mainly underground. The Straßenbahn or tram (trolley) system operates almost exclusively in the eastern part of the city. Buses provide extensive service linking outlying districts with the city center and to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. Almost all means of public transport (U- & S- Bahn, trams, buses and most ferries) can be accessed with the same ticket.
 
Public transport within Berlin is provided by the S-Bahn, which is a mostly overground urban railway system, and the U-Bahn, which is mainly underground. The Straßenbahn or tram (trolley) system operates almost exclusively in the eastern part of the city. Buses provide extensive service linking outlying districts with the city center and to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. Almost all means of public transport (U- & S- Bahn, trams, buses and most ferries) can be accessed with the same ticket.
  
Berlin has three commercial airports. [[Tegel International Airport]] (TXL), [[Tempelhof International Airport]] (THF), and [[Schönefeld International Airport]] (SXF) handled a total of 18.5 million passengers in 2006 and served 155 destinations.
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Berlin has three commercial [[airport]]s. [[Tegel International Airport]] (TXL), [[Tempelhof International Airport]] (THF), and [[Schönefeld International Airport]] (SXF) handled a total of 18.5 million passengers in 2006 and served 155 destinations.
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
With a population of 3,402,312 (2006), Berlin is the country's largest city. The urban area comprises about 3.7 million people while the metropolitan area of the Berlin-Brandenburg region is home to about 4.3 million in an area of {{km2 to sq mi|5370|precision=0}} and the [[Larger Urban Zones (LUZ) in the European Union|Larger Urban Zone]] of about 4.9 million people. The population density of the city state Berlin amounts to 3,815 inhabitants per square kilometer (9,870/sq&nbsp;mi).
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With a population of close to 3.5 million, Berlin is the country's largest [[city]]. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the [[European Union]]. Berlin has been a center for national and international [[immigration]] since the [[Edict of Potsdam]] in 1685. Waves of immigrants entered in the 1960s and 1970s, while in the 1990s the ''Aussiedlergesetze'' made immigration from the former [[Soviet Union]] possible.  
 
 
It is the second [[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits|most populous city proper]] and the ninth [[Largest urban areas of the European Union|most populous urban area]] in the [[European Union]]. Berlin has been a center for national and international [[immigration]] since the [[Edict of Potsdam]] in 1685, which guaranteed religious freedom and a tax-free status to French Calvinists for 10 years. Active immigration and asylum politics in West Berlin have initiated waves of immigrants in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1990s the ''Aussiedlergesetze'' made immigration from the former [[Soviet Union]] possible. The current decade experiences a continual increasing influx from various Western countries and especially young EU-Europeans are settling in the city.
 
 
 
About 13.9 percent of the population were of foreign nationality, coming from 183 different countries. The largest groups by nationality are citizens from [[Turkey]] (116,665), [[Poland]] (42,889), [[Serbia]] and [[Montenegro]] (24,337), [[Lebanon]] (17,806), [[Russia]] (14,065), [[Italy]] (14,026), [[United States]] (12,735),  [[France]] (11,776), [[Vietnam]] (11,513), [[Croatia]] (11,378), [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (10,463), [[Greece]] (10,102), [[UK]] (9396), [[Ukraine]] (8667), [[Austria]] (8409), [[Spain]] (5962), [[Iran]] (5882),[[Thailand]] (5876), the [[People's Republic of China]] (5620).
 
 
 
German is Germany's only official and most-widely spoken language. English is the most common foreign language and almost universally taught by the secondary level. About 20 percent consider themselves to be speakers of French, followed by speakers of Russian (18 percent), Italian (6.1 percent), and Spanish (5.6 percent).
 
 
 
The largest religious groupings were, in 2006, [Irreligion|No religion]] 60 percent, [[Evangelical Church in Germany|Evangelical]] 23 percent, [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] nine percent, [[Islam|Muslim]] six percent, and [[Judaism|Jewish]] 0.4 percent. (12,000).
 
 
 
The city has four universities and numerous private, professional and technical colleges ([[Fachhochschule]]n), catering for around 130,000 students. The three largest universities  are the [[Freie Universität Berlin]] (Free University of Berlin) with around 35,000 students, the [[Humboldt Universität zu Berlin]] with 35,000 students, and the [[Technische Universität Berlin]] with 30,000 students. The [[Berlin University of the Arts|Universität der Künste]] has about 4300 students.
 
 
 
The city has a high concentration of research institutions, such as the [[Fraunhofer Society]] and the [[Max Planck Society]], which are independent of, or only loosely connected to its universities. A total number of 62,000 scientists are working in [[research and development]].
 
 
 
The [[Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin]] is a major research library. It has two main locations: one near [[Potsdamer Platz]] on Potsdamer Straße and one on [[Unter den Linden]]. There are 108 public libraries to be found in the city.
 
 
 
Berlin has 878 schools teaching 340,658 children in 13,727 classes and 56,787 trainees in businesses and elsewhere. Berlin has a unique bilingual school program embedded in the "Europaschule." Children get taught the curriculum in German and a foreign language, starting in grammar school and later in secondary school.
 
 
 
==Of interest==
 
[[Image:AlteNationalgalerie 1a.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Alte Nationalgalerie]] is part of the [[Museum Island]] and a [[World Heritage Site]]]]
 
[[Image:BerlinalePalast.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Berlinale Palast during the [[Berlin Film Festival]] in February]]
 
[[Image:Nightclubbing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The city is a center for nightlife and DJ-culture in Europe]]
 
[[Image:Philharmonie 1a.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Berliner Philharmonie]] is home to the renowned [[Berlin Philharmonic]]]]
 
[[Image:German Cathedral and Concert Hall.JPG|thumb|right|250px|German Cathedral and Concert Hall at [[Gendarmenmarkt]] square.]]
 
[[Image:Glücklich.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cafés are part of the the city´s bohemian lifestyle]]
 
[[Image:Berlin Tiergarten4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Tiergarten]] park]]
 
[[Image:Berlin - Haus des Lehrers & BCC.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Haus des Lehrers and Congress Hall at [[Alexanderplatz]].]]
 
[[Image:Brandenburger Tor Blaue Stunde.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Brandenburg Gate]]]]
 
[[Image:Reichtagskuppel Berlin aufdemdach 2004.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The glass dome adorning the roof of the [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]]]]
 
[[Image:Schloss Charlottenburg 2005 282.JPG|thumb|left|[[Schloss Charlottenburg]] is the largest existing palace in Berlin.]]
 
Berlin is home to 153 museums. The ensemble on the [[Museum Island]] is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] and is situated in the northern part of the Spree Island between the Spree and the Kupfergraben. As early as 1841 it was designated a “district dedicated to art and antiquities” by a royal decree. Subsequently, the [[Altes Museum]] (Old Museum) in the Lustgarten displaying the bust of [[Nefertiti|Queen Nefertiti]], and the [[Neues Museum]] (New Museum), [[Alte Nationalgalerie]] (Old National Gallery), [[Pergamon Museum]], and [[Bode Museum]] were built there.  
 
  
The [[Gemäldegalerie, Berlin|Gemäldegalerie]] (Painting Gallery) focuses on the paintings of the "old masters" from the 13th to the 18th centuries, while the [[Neue Nationalgalerie]] (New National Gallery, built by [[Ludwig Mies van der Rohe]]) specializes in 20th-century European painting. The [[Hamburger Bahnhof]], located in [[Moabit|Berlin-Moabit]], exhibits a major collection of modern and contemporary art. In spring 2006, the expanded [[Deutsches Historisches Museum]] re-opened in the Zeughaus with an overview of German history through the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The [[Bauhaus-Archive|Bauhaus Archiv]] is an architecture museum.  
+
About 13.5 percent of the population are of foreign nationality, coming from 190 different countries. The largest groups of foreign nationals are those from [[Turkey]], [[Poland]], [[Serbia]], [[Italy]], [[Russia]], [[France]], [[Vietnam]], the [[United States]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Croatia]], and [[Israel]].
  
The [[Jewish Museum Berlin|Jewish Museum]] has a standing exhibition on 2000 years of German-Jewish history. The [[German Museum of Technology (Berlin)|German Museum of Technology]] in [[Kreuzberg]] has a large collection of historical technical artifacts. The [[Humboldt Museum]] of Natural History near [[Berlin Hauptbahnhof]] has the largest mounted dinosaur in the world, and the best preserved specimen of an [[archaeopteryx]].
+
[[German language|German]] is Germany's only official and most-widely spoken [[language]]. [[English language|English]] is the most common foreign language and almost universally taught at the secondary level. About 20 percent consider themselves to be speakers of [[French language|French]], followed by speakers of [[Russian language|Russian]] (18 percent), [[Italian  language|Italian]] (6.1 percent), and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (5.6 percent).  
  
Places of interest include:
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The largest religious groupings are: no religion - 60 percent, [[Evangelical Church in Germany|Evangelical]] - 23 percent, [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] - nine percent, [[Islam|Muslim]] - six percent, and [[Judaism|Jewish]] - 0.4 percent.
  
* The [[Fernsehturm]] (TV tower) at [[Alexanderplatz]] in [[Mitte]] is the second highest building in the European Union at {{m to ft|368|precision=0}}. Built in 1969, it is visible throughout most of the central districts of Berlin. The city can be viewed from its 669 foot (204 meter) high observation floor.  
+
The city has four [[university|universities]] and numerous private, professional and technical [[college]]s ([[Fachhochschule]]n), catering to approximately 130,000 students. The three largest universities are the [[Freie Universität Berlin]] (Free University of Berlin) with around 35,000 students, the [[Humboldt Universität zu Berlin]] with 35,000 students, and the [[Technische Universität Berlin]] with 30,000 students. The [[Berlin University of the Arts|Universität der Künste]] has about 4,300 students.  
  
* Starting there, the [[Karl-Marx-Allee]] heads east, an avenue lined by monumental residential buildings, designed in the Socialist Classicism Style of the [[Stalin]] era. Adjacent to this area is the [[Rotes Rathaus]] (Red City Hall), with its distinctive red-brick architecture. The previously built-up part in front of it is the [[Neptunbrunnen (Berlin)|Neptunbrunnen]], a fountain featuring a mythological scene.
+
The city has a high concentration of research institutions, such as the [[Fraunhofer Society]] and the [[Max Planck Society]], which are independent of, or only loosely connected to its universities. A total number of 62,000 scientists are working in [[research and development]]. The [[Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin]] is a major research [[library]]. There are 108 public libraries in the city.
  
* The [[East Side Gallery]] is an open-air exhibition of art painted directly on the last existing portions of the [[Berlin Wall]]. It is the largest remaining evidence of the city's historical division. It has recently undergone a restoration.
+
==Places of interest==
 +
[[Image:Giraffe-berlin-zoo.jpg|thumb|The [[Zoologischer Garten Berlin]] is the most visited zoo in Europe and presents the most diverse range of species in the world.]]
 +
[[Image:Berlin Tiergarten4.jpg|The Tiergarten Park|thumb|The Tiergarten Park.]]
 +
[[Image:Humboldt monument.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of [[Alexander von Humboldt]] outside the Humboldt University.]]
 +
Berlin is home to 153 [[museum]]s, including the [[Altes Museum]] (Old Museum), which has the bust of [[Nefertiti|Queen Nefertiti]], the [[Pergamon Museum]], the [[Bode Museum]], the [[Jewish Museum Berlin|Jewish Museum]], the [[German Museum of Technology (Berlin)|German Museum of Technology]] in [[Kreuzberg]], and the [[Humboldt Museum of Natural History]], which has the largest mounted [[dinosaur]] in the world, and the best preserved specimen of an [[archaeopteryx]].
  
 +
Art galleries include the [[Gemäldegalerie, Berlin|Gemäldegalerie]] (Painting Gallery), which focuses on the paintings of the "Old Masters" from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries, the [[Neue Nationalgalerie]], which specializes in twentieth century European painting, and the [[Hamburger Bahnhof]], which exhibits a major collection of modern and contemporary art. Places of interest include:
 +
* The [[Fernsehturm]] (TV tower) at [[Alexanderplatz]] in [[Mitte]] is the second highest building in the European Union at 1207 feet (368 meters). Built in 1969, it is visible throughout most of the central districts of Berlin. The city can be viewed from its 669-foot (204-meter) high observation floor.
 +
* The [[Karl-Marx-Allee]] is an avenue lined by monumental residential buildings, designed in the Socialist Classicism Style of the [[Stalin]] era. Adjacent to this area is the [[Rotes Rathaus]] (Red City Hall), with its distinctive red-brick architecture. The previously built-up part in front of it is the [[Neptunbrunnen (Berlin)|Neptunbrunnen]], a fountain featuring a mythological scene.
 +
* The [[East Side Gallery]] is an open-air exhibition of art painted on the last existing portions of the [[Berlin Wall]].
 
* The [[Brandenburg Gate]] is an iconic landmark of Berlin and [[Germany]].  
 
* The [[Brandenburg Gate]] is an iconic landmark of Berlin and [[Germany]].  
 
 
* The [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag building]] is the traditional seat of the German [[Bundestag|Parliament]], renovated in the 1950s after severe World War II damage. The building features a glass dome over the session area, which allows free public access to the parliamentary proceedings and magnificent views of the city.  
 
* The [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag building]] is the traditional seat of the German [[Bundestag|Parliament]], renovated in the 1950s after severe World War II damage. The building features a glass dome over the session area, which allows free public access to the parliamentary proceedings and magnificent views of the city.  
 +
* [[Gendarmenmarkt]], a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] square dating to the Napoleonic occupation, is bordered by two similarly designed cathedrals, the [[Französischer Dom|French Cathedral]] with its observation platform, and the German Cathedral. The Konzerthaus (Concert Hall), home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, stands between the two cathedrals.
 +
* [[Friedrichstraße]] was Berlin's legendary street during the [[Roaring Twenties]]. It combines twentieth century traditions with the modern [[architecture]] of today's Berlin.
 +
* The Kulturforum, which houses the [[Gemäldegalerie (Berlin)|Gemäldegalerie]], is flanked by the [[Neue Nationalgalerie]] and the [[Berliner Philharmoniker|Philharmonic]]. The [[Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe]], a [[Holocaust]] memorial, is situated to the north.
 +
* The area around Hackescher Markt has countless clothing outlets, clubs, bars, and galleries. This includes the Hackesche Höfe, a conglomeration of buildings around several courtyards, reconstructed around 1996. Oranienburger Straße and the nearby [[New Synagogue]] were the center of [[Jewish]] culture before 1933.
 +
* The [[Straße des 17. Juni]], connecting the [[Brandenburg Gate]] and Ernst-Reuter-Platz, commemorates the uprisings in East Berlin of June 17, 1953. Approximately half-way from the Brandenburg Gate is the Großer Stern, a circular traffic island on which the [[Siegessäule]] (Victory Column) is situated. This monument, built to commemorate Prussia's victories, was relocated 1938&ndash;39 from its previous position in front of the [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]]. The site is annually used as the center stage for the [[Love Parade]].
 +
* The [[Rathaus Schöneberg]], where [[John F. Kennedy]] made his famous "''[[Ich bin ein Berliner]]!''" speech, is situated in [[Tempelhof-Schöneberg]].
 +
* The [[Kurfürstendamm]] is home to some of Berlin's luxurious stores with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at its eastern end on [[Breitscheidplatz]]. The church was destroyed in World War II and left in ruins.
  
* [[Gendarmenmarkt]], a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] square in Berlin whose name dates back to the Napoleonic occupation of the city, is bordered by two similarly designed cathedrals, the [[Französischer Dom|French Cathedral]] with its observation platform and the German Cathedral. The Konzerthaus (Concert Hall), home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, stands between the two cathedrals.
+
Berlin has a diverse and vibrant nightlife scene. Many buildings in the former city center of East Berlin became home to nightclubs, including [[Kunst Haus Tacheles]], [[techno music|techno]] clubs [[Tresor]], WMF, Ufo, [[E-Werk]], the infamous [[Kitkatclub]] and [[Berghain]]. The Linientreu is known for techno music, and the LaBelle discotheque in [[Friedenau]] was the location of the [[1986 Berlin discotheque bombing]].
  
* The [[Berliner Dom]], a Protestant cathedral and the third church on this site, is located on the [[Museum Island|Spree Island]] across from the site of the [[Berliner Stadtschloss]] and adjacent to the [[Lustgarten]]. A large crypt houses the remains of some of the earlier [[Prussia]]n royal family. Like many other buildings, it suffered extensive damage during World War II. The [[Cathedral of St. Hedwig]] is Berlin's [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] cathedral.
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The Karneval der Kulturen, a multi-ethnic street parade, takes place every [[Pentecost]] weekend, and the [[Christopher Street Day]], which is Central Europe's largest gay-lesbian pride event, takes place on the last weekend of June. Berlin is well known for the [[Techno music|techno]] carnival [[Love Parade]] and the cultural festival [[Berliner Festspiele]], which include the jazz festival [[JazzFest Berlin]].
 
* [[Unter den Linden]] is a tree lined east-west avenue from the Brandenburg Gate to the site of the former [[Berliner Stadtschloss]], and was once Berlin's premier promenade. Many Classical buildings line the street and part of [[Humboldt University]] is located there.
 
  
* [[Friedrichstraße]] was Berlin's legendary street during the [[Roaring Twenties]]. It combines twentieth century traditions with the modern architecture of today's Berlin.
+
Berlin is home to more than 50 theaters, has three [[opera house]]s, and seven [[symphony orchestra]]s, including the [[Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra]].
  
* [[Potsdamer Platz]] is an entire quarter built from scratch after 1995 and was not rebuilt as it was divided by the Wall.  
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==Looking to the future==
 +
Berlin, the capital city of reunited [[Germany]], is a young city by [[Europe]]an standards, although it has had an impressive history since the ninth century, when "Berolina" was a small town on a trade route. Berlin is a center in European [[politics]], [[culture]], [[media]], and [[science]]. The metropolis is home to world-renowned [[university|universities]], research institutes, sporting events, [[orchestra]]s, [[museum]]s and personalities.
  
* To the west of Potsdamer Platz is the Kulturforum, which houses the [[Gemäldegalerie (Berlin)|Gemäldegalerie]], and is flanked by the [[Neue Nationalgalerie]] and the [[Berliner Philharmoniker|Philharmonic]]. The [[Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe]], a [[Holocaust]] memorial, is situated to the north.
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The city suffered economically during the [[Cold War]], when West Berlin was isolated and [[East Berlin]] suffered from poor economic decisions made by East Germany’s [[socialism|socialist]] central planners. After reunification in 1990, the industrial base of former East Berlin decreased, leading to high [[unemployment]] and stagnant GDP growth rates until 2005.  
  
* The area around Hackescher Markt is home to the fashionable culture, with countless clothing outlets, clubs, bars, and galleries. This includes the Hackesche Höfe, a conglomeration of buildings around several courtyards, reconstructed around 1996. Oranienburger Straße and the nearby [[New Synagogue]] were the center of [[Jewish]] culture before 1933, and regains being it today.
+
The arrival of the federal government in 1999 brought some economic stimulus to Berlin. Berlin’s [[Tertiary sector of industry|service sectors]] have also benefited from improved transportation and communications links to the surrounding region. The service sectors have become the city’s economic mainstay. Research and development have gained significance, and Berlin now ranks among the top three innovative regions in the [[European Union]]. Fast-growing sectors are [[communications]], [[life sciences]], mobility and services with information and communication technologies, media and music, advertising and design, biotechnology and environmental services, transportation and medical engineering.
  
* The [[Straße des 17. Juni]], connecting the Brandenburg Gate and [[Ernst Reuter|Ernst-Reuter-Platz]], serves as central East-West-Axis. Its name commemorates the uprisings in [[East Berlin]] of  June 17, 1953. Approximately half-way from the Brandenburg Gate is the Großer Stern, a circular traffic island on which the [[Siegessäule]] (Victory Column) is situated. This monument, built to commemorate Prussia's victories, was relocated 1938&ndash;39 from its previous position in front of the [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]]. The site is annually used as the center stage for the [[Love Parade]].
+
As capital of affluent and technologically powerful [[Germany]], the economy of which is the fifth largest in the world, and with Cold War issues in the past, Berlin can be expected to prosper.
  
* The [[Rathaus Schöneberg]], where [[John F. Kennedy]] made his famous "[[Ich bin ein Berliner]]!" speech, is situated in [[Tempelhof-Schöneberg]].
+
<center><gallery>
 +
Image:AlteNationalgalerie 1a.jpg|Alte Nationalgalerie is part of the Museum Island and a World Heritage Site
 +
Image:BerlinalePalast.jpg|The Berlinale Palast during the Berlin Film Festival
 +
Image:Philharmonie 1a.jpg|Berliner Philharmonie is home to the renowned Berlin Philharmonic
 +
Image:German Cathedral and Concert Hall.JPG|German Cathedral and Concert Hall at Gendarmenmarkt Square
 +
Image:Berlin Mitte by night.JPG|Berlin along the Spree River and the TV tower by night
 +
Image:Berlin - Haus des Lehrers & BCC.jpg|Haus des Lehrers and Congress Hall at Alexanderplatz
 +
Image:Brandenburger Tor Blaue Stunde.jpg|The Brandenburg Gate
 +
Image:Schloss Charlottenburg 2005 282.JPG|Schloss Charlottenburg, the largest existing palace in Berlin
 +
</gallery></center>
  
* The [[Kurfürstendamm]] is home to some of Berlin's luxurious stores with the [[Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church]] at its eastern end on [[Breitscheidplatz]]. The church was destroyed in World War II and left in ruins. Near by on Tauentzienstraße is [[Kaufhaus des Westens|KaDeWe]], claimed to be continental Europe's largest department store.
+
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
* West of the center, [[Schloss Bellevue]] is the residence of the German President. [[Schloss Charlottenburg]], which was burnt out in the Second World War and largely destroyed, has been rebuilt and is the largest surviving historical palace in Berlin.
+
==References==
 +
* Chandler, Tertius. ''Four thousand years of urban growth: an historical census.'' Lewiston, NY, U.S.A.: St. David's University Press, 1987. ISBN 0889462070
 +
* Gill, Anton. ''A dance between flames: Berlin between the wars.'' London: John Murray, 1993. ISBN 0719549868
 +
* Gross, Leonard. ''The last Jews in Berlin.'' New York: Simon and Schuster, 1982. ISBN 9780671247270
 +
* Gwertzman, Bernard M., and Michael T. Kaufman. ''The Collapse of communism.'' New York, NY: Times Books, 1990. ISBN 978-0812918724
 +
* Large, David Clay. ''Berlin.'' New York: Basic Books, 2001. ISBN 046502632X
 +
* Read, Anthony, and David Fisher. ''Berlin rising: biography of a city.'' New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1994. ISBN 978-0393036060
  
* [[Funkturm Berlin]] is a 150 meter (492&nbsp;ft) tall lattice radio tower at the fair area, built between 1924 and 1926. It is the only observation tower, which stands on insulators, and has a restaurant {{m to ft|55|precision=0}} and an observation deck {{m to ft|126|precision=0}} above ground, which is reachable by an elevator.
+
==External links==
As the Berliner Funkturm is an open lattice structure, its elevator has windows.
+
All links retrieved September 28, 2023.  
 
 
Berlin has one of the most diverse and vibrant nightlife scenes in Europe. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, many buildings in [[Mitte]], the former city center of East Berlin, were renovated. Many had not been rebuilt since World War II. Illegally occupied by young people, they became a fertile ground for all sorts of [[underground culture|underground]] and [[counter-culture]] gatherings. It is also home to many nightclubs, including [[Kunst Haus Tacheles]], [[techno music|techno]] clubs [[Tresor]], WMF, Ufo, [[E-Werk]], the infamous [[Kitkatclub]] and [[Berghain]]. The Linientreu, near the [[Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church]], has been well known since the 1990s for techno music. The LaBelle discotheque in [[Friedenau]] became famous as the location of the [[1986 Berlin discotheque bombing]].
 
 
 
The Karneval der Kulturen, a multi-ethnic street parade celebrated every [[Pentecost]] weekend, and the [[Christopher Street Day]], which is Central Europe's largest gay-lesbian pride event and is celebrated the last weekend of June, are openly supported by the city's government. Berlin is also well known for the [[Techno music|techno]] carnival [[Love Parade]] and the cultural festival [[Berliner Festspiele]], which include the jazz festival [[JazzFest Berlin]].
 
 
 
Berlin is home to more than 50 theaters. The [[Deutsches Theater]] in Mitte was built in 1849–50 and has operated continuously since then, except for a one-year break (1944–45) due to World War II. The [[Volksbühne]] on Rosa Luxemburg Platz was built in 1913–14, though the company had been founded already in 1890. The [[Berliner Ensemble]], famous for performing the works of [[Bertolt Brecht]], was established in 1949, not far from the Deutsches Theater. The [[Schaubühne]] was founded in 1962 in a building in Kreuzberg, but moved in 1981 to the building of the former Universum Cinema on [[Kurfürstendamm]].
 
 
 
Berlin has three major [[opera house]]s: the [[Deutsche Oper Berlin|Deutsche Oper]], the [[Berlin State Opera]], and the [[Komische Oper Berlin|Komische Oper]]. The Berlin State Opera on [[Unter den Linden]] is the oldest; it opened in 1742. Its current musical director is [[Daniel Barenboim]]. The Komische Oper, which has traditionally specialized in [[operetta]]s, is located not far from the State Opera just off Unter den Linden. It originally opened in 1892 as a theater and has been operating under its current name since 1947. The Deutsche Oper opened in 1912 in Charlottenburg. During the division of the city from 1961 to 1989 it was the only major opera house in West Berlin.
 
 
 
There are seven [[symphony orchestra]]s in Berlin. The [[Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra]] is one of the preeminent orchestras in the world; it is housed in the [[Berliner Philharmonie]] near [[Potsdamer Platz]] on a street named for the orchestra's longest-serving conductor, [[Herbert von Karajan]]. The current principal conductor is [[Simon Rattle]], who took over in 2002 from Karajan's successor, [[Claudio Abbado]]. The [[Konzerthausorchester Berlin]] was founded in 1952 as the orchestra for East Berlin, since the Philharmonic was based in West Berlin. Its current principal conductor is [[Lothar Zagrosek]].
 
 
 
==Berlin quotations==
 
''"Berlin ist arm, aber sexy." ("Berlin is poor, but sexy.")''<br/> <small>([[Klaus Wowereit]], Governing Mayor, in a press interview, 2003)<ref>[http://focus.msn.de/politik/deutschland/wowereits-berlin-slogan_nid_37712.html „Arm, aber sexy“](German), Focus Online, Accessed November 2, 2006</ref></small><br/>
 
 
 
''"Berlin wird leben und die Mauer wird fallen." ("Berlin will live and the wall will come down.")''<br/> <small>([[Willy Brandt]], Former Governing Mayor of West Berlin and chancellor of Germany, November 10, 1989)<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/wall/article/0,,196789,00.html Kohl: We are one nation], Guardian Unlimited, Accessed June 2, 2007</ref></small><br/>
 
 
 
''“The greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine..”''<br/><small>([[David Bowie]], singer, on 1970s Berlin)<ref>[http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=53&story_id=31468 David Bowie's golden years in Berlin], Expatica, Accessed June 2, 2007</ref></small>
 
 
 
''"[[Ich bin ein Berliner]]." ("I am a citizen of Berlin")''<br/> <small>([[John F. Kennedy]], President of the [[United States]], 1963 while visiting Berlin)<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/09/reflections/ Teaching JFK German] CNN Interactive, Accessed November 2, 2006</ref></small><br/>
 
 
 
''"Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin" ("I still have a suitcase in Berlin")''<br/><small>([[Marlene Dietrich]], song by the actress and singer born in Berlin-[[Schöneberg]], 1951)<ref>[http://www.newcolonist.com/cs-berlin.html Citysongs], The New Colonist, Accessed November 2, 2006</ref></small>
 
 
 
''"“Berlin ist eine Stadt, verdammt dazu, ewig zu werden, niemals zu sein”  ("Berlin is a city condemned forever to becoming and never being.")''<br/><small>(Karl Scheffler, author of ''Berlin: Ein Stadtschicksal, 1910'')<ref>Scheffler,Karl . ''Berlin: Ein Stadtschicksal'', 222 S. ISBN 3-927574-02-3</ref></small>
 
  
==References==
+
*[http://visitberlin.de/de Berlin tourist information]
{{reflist|2}}
+
*[http://www.exberliner.com EXBERLINER – Magazine for English speakers]
</div>
+
*[http://www.panorama-cities.net/berlin/berlin.html City Panoramas]
  
==Bibliography==
 
* Gross, Leonard, ''The Last Jews in Berlin''. Carroll & Graf Publishers, 1999. ISBN 0-7867-0687-2
 
* Tertius Chandler, ''Four Thousand Years of Urban Growth: An Historical Census''. Edwin Mellen Pr, 1987. ISBN 0-88946-207-0
 
* Ribbe, Wolfgang, ''Geschichte Berlins''. Bwv - Berliner Wissenschafts-Verlag, 2002. ISBN 3-8305-0166-8
 
* Gwertzman, M. Kaufman, ''The Collapse of Communism'', 1990.
 
* Read, Anthony, and David Fisher, ''Berlin Rising: Biography of a City''. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. ISBN 0-393-03606-5
 
* Large, David Clay, ''Berlin''. New York: Basic Books, 2001. ISBN 0-465-02632-X
 
  
==External links==
+
[[Category:Geography]]
*[http://www.berlin.de/english/index.html Official Website Berlin.de]
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[[Category:Europe]]
*[http://www.berlin-tourist-information.com/index.en.php Official Tourist Information of Berlin]
+
[[Category:Cities]]
*[http://www.germanplaces.com/germany/berlin-sights.html Information and pictures of Berlin sights and World Heritage]
 
*[http://www.alt-berlin.info/ Maps of Berlin, from 1738 to the present]
 
*[http://www.exberliner.com EXBERLINER – Magazine for English speakers]
 
*[http://germany.archiseek.com/brandenburg/berlin/index.html Architecture of Berlin]
 
*[http://www.panorama-cities.net/berlin/berlin.html City Panoramas]
 
*[http://www.berlinmitte.info/ 90 Images of Berlin in the 20th Century] (German)
 
*[http://www.ostberlin.de/en/ East Berlin, Past and Present]
 
*[http://www.3d-stadtmodell-berlin.de/3d/en/seite0.jsp 3D-Virtual City Model of Berlin]
 
*[http://www.berlin.ucla.edu/ Interactive Berlin Map and selected locations]
 
  
[[Category:Berlin| ]]
 
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
 
[[Category:Cities in Germany]]
 
[[Category:German state capitals]]
 
[[Category:Hanseatic League]]
 
[[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]]
 
[[Category:States of Germany]]
 
[[Category:Settlements established in the 13th century]]
 
  
{{Credits|Berlin|165296855|History_of_Berlin|226893352|}}
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{{Credits|Berlin|165296855|History_of_Berlin|226893352|Economy_of_Berlin|217709331|}}

Latest revision as of 11:02, 28 September 2023

Berlin
Cityscapeberlin2006.JPG
Flag Coat of arms
Flag of Berlin.svg Coat of arms of Berlin
Location within European Union and Germany
Location within European Union and Germany
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Administration
Country Germany Flag of Germany.svg
NUTS Region DE3 Flag of Europe.svg
City subdivisions 12 boroughs
Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit (SPD)
Governing parties SPD / CDU
Votes in Bundesrat 4 (from 69)
Basic statistics
Area  892 km² (344 sq mi)
 - Elevation 34 m  (112 ft)
Population 3,496,082 (10/2011)[1]
 - Density 3,920 /km² (10,153 /sq mi)
 - Metro 4,429,847 
Other information
GDP/ Nominal € 94.7 billion (2010)
Postal codes 10001–14199
Area codes 030
Licence plate code B (for earlier signs see note)[2]

Berlin is the capital city and one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area, comprising 4.9 million people from over 180 nations.

Berlin was successively the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701-1918), the German Empire (1871-1918), the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) and the Third Reich (1933-1945). After World War II, the city was divided; East Berlin became the capital of East Germany while West Berlin became a Western enclave, surrounded by the Berlin Wall from 1961-1989. Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of all Germany.

Berlin is a center in European politics, culture, media, and science. The metropolis is home to world-renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums and personalities. Recognized for its festivals, contemporary architecture, nightlife and avant-garde arts, Berlin has evolved into a focal point for individuals attracted by liberal lifestyle, and modern zeitgeist ("spirit of the times"). As capital of affluent and technologically powerful Germany, the economy of which is the fifth largest in the world, and with Cold War issues in the past, Berlin can only be expected to prosper.

Geography

View over Central Berlin.
Potsdam on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin. It is a part of the Metropolitan area Berlin/Brandenburg.

The name Berlin may derive from the old (West Slavic) Polabian stem berl- or birl- meaning "swamp."

Berlin is located in eastern Germany, about 44 miles (70km) west of the border with Poland in an area with marshy terrain. Berlin's landscape was shaped by ice sheets during the last Ice Age. The city center lies along the river Spree in the Berlin-Warsaw Urstromtal (ancient river valley), formed by water flowing from melting ice sheets.

Substantial parts of present-day Berlin extend onto the low plateaus on both sides of the Spree Valley. Large parts of the boroughs Reinickendorf and Pankow lie on the Barnim plateau, while most of the boroughs Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Tempelhof-Schöneberg, and Neukölln lie on the Teltow plateau. The borough of Spandau lies partly within the Berlin Urstromtal and partly on the Nauen Plain, which stretches to the west of Berlin.

The highest elevations in Berlin are the Teufelsberg and the Müggelberge, both of which have an elevation of about 377 feet (115 meters). The Teufelsberg is a pile of rubble from the ruins of World War II.

Berlin has a temperate/mesothermal climate. The warmest months are June, July, and August, with mean temperatures of 62.1°F to 64.2°F (16.7°C to 17.9°C). The coldest are December, January, and February, with mean temperatures of 31.3°F to 34.2°F (−0.4 to 1.2°C). Berlin's built-up area creates a microclimate, with heat stored by the city's buildings. Temperatures can be 7.2°F (4°C) higher than in the surrounding areas. The mean annual precipitation totals 22.8 inches (578mm).

In Spandau, Berlin's westernmost borough, the Spree meets the river Havel, which flows from north to south through western Berlin. The course of the Havel is more like a chain of lakes, the largest being the Tegeler See and Großer Wannsee. A series of lakes also feeds into the upper Spree, which flows through the Großer Müggelsee in eastern Berlin.

Berlin was devastated by bombing raids during World War II and many of the old buildings that escaped the bombs were eradicated in the 1950s and 1960s, in both West and East Berlin, in programs to build new residential or business quarters and main roads. Berlin's unique recent history has left the city with an eclectic array of architecture and sights.

In the eastern part, many Plattenbauten can be found, reminders of Eastern Bloc ambitions to create complete residential areas with fixed ratios of shops, kindergartens and schools. Another difference between former east and west is in the design of little red and green men on pedestrian crossing lights ("Ampelmännchen" in German). The eastern Ampelmännchen design is now used in the western part of the city as well.

History

Frederick II of Prussia was one of Europe's enlightened monarchs.
Berlin became the capital of the German Empire in 1871 after its proclamation in Versailles-France (Bismarck at the center in white)
Berlin in 1912.
Red Army soldiers raising the Soviet flag over the roof of the Reichstag on May 2, 1945.
Soviet tanks face U.S. tanks at Checkpoint Charlie.
The Berlin Wall in 1986, painted on the western side. People crossing the so-called death strip on the eastern side were at risk of being shot.
Former Checkpoint Charlie.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

What was to become Berlin was well outside the frontiers of the Roman Empire, and was inhabited by Germanic tribes. About 720 C.E., two Slavic tribes settled in the Berlin region—The Hevelli settled on the river Havel in Brandenburg, while the Sprevane settled close to the river Spree in today's district of Berlin-Köpenick. About 750, The Hevelli founded Spandow (today's Spandau).

In the early ninth century, "Berolina" was the name recorded in a Latin document of a small town in the region surrounded with a stockade, on a trade route linking southern Europe with the Baltic Sea.

In 948, Emperor Otto I the Great established German control over the now largely Slavic inhabitants of the area and founded the dioceses of Havelberg, and Brandenburg.

Cities merge

The suburb of Spandau is first mentioned in 1197, and Köpenick in 1209, though these areas did not join Berlin until 1920. The central part of Berlin can be traced back to two towns: Cölln (on the Fisher Island) is first mentioned in a 1237 document, and Berlin in one from 1244. The two cities formed an economic and social unit. In 1307, the two cities were united politically, and, over time, came to be known simply as Berlin, the name of the larger of the pair.

In 1415 Frederick I became the elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, which he ruled until 1440. His successor, Frederick II, established Berlin as capital of the margraviate, and subsequent members of the Hohenzollern family ruled from there until 1918, as electors of Brandenburg, as kings of Prussia, and finally as German emperors.

In 1448, citizens rebelled against the construction of a new royal palace by Frederick II Irontooth, and lost many political and economic privileges. In 1451, Berlin became the royal residence, and had to give up its status as a free Hanseatic city. In 1539, the electors and the city officially became Lutheran.

Immigration

The Thirty Years' War, between 1618 and 1648, resulted in damage to one third of Berlin's houses, and the loss of half the city's population. Frederick William, known as the “Great Elector,” who had succeeded his father in 1640, promoted immigration and religious tolerance. With the Edict of Potsdam in 1685, Frederick William offered asylum to the French Huguenots. More than 15,000 Huguenots went to Brandenburg, of whom 6,000 settled in Berlin. By 1700, approximately 20 percent of Berlin's residents were French. Many other immigrants came from Bohemia, Poland, and Salzburg.

Prussian capital

With the coronation of Frederick I in 1701 as king, Berlin became the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1740, the philosophically-oriented Friedrich II, known as Frederick the Great (1740-1786) came to power, and Berlin became a center of the Enlightenment. Following France's victory in the War of the Fourth Coalition, Napoleon Bonaparte marched into Berlin in 1806, but granted self-government to the city.

Industrial expansion

The Industrial Revolution transformed Berlin during the nineteenth century; the city's economy and population expanded dramatically, and it became the main rail hub and economic center of Germany. Additional suburbs soon developed. In 1861, outlying suburbs including Wedding, Moabit, and several others were incorporated. In 1871, Berlin became capital of the newly founded German Empire.

Weimar Republic

At the end of World War I in 1918, the Weimar Republic was proclaimed. In 1920, the Greater Berlin Act united dozens of suburban cities, villages, and estates into a greatly expanded city and established Berlin as a separate administrative region. Berlin, then with a population of around four million, was an exciting city known for a liberal subculture, including homosexuals and prostitution, and for its fierce political street fights.

Hitler

Following the 1933 elections, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power. Nazi rule destroyed Berlin's Jewish community, which numbered 170,000 before the Nazis came to power. After the pogrom of Kristallnacht in 1938, thousands of the city's German Jews were imprisoned in the nearby Sachsenhausen concentration camp or, in early 1943, were shipped to death camps, such as Auschwitz. Hitler had planned to rebuild Berlin on a massive scale, renaming it "Welthauptstadt Germania"; but apart from the Olympic Stadium, the plan never progressed. Large parts of Berlin were destroyed in the 1943–1945 air raids and during the Battle of Berlin.

City divided

After the end of World War II in 1945, Berlin received large numbers of refugees from the Eastern provinces. The victorious powers divided the city into four sectors—the United States, the United Kingdom, and France formed West Berlin, while the Soviet sector formed East Berlin. Initially, all four Allies retained shared responsibility for the city. However, the growing political differences between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union led the latter, which controlled the territory surrounding Berlin, to impose an economic blockade of West Berlin.

The Allies countered the blockade by airlifting food, fuel, and other supplies, at an increasing rate of up to 5500 tons per day, into the city from June 24, 1948, to May 11, 1949, when the Federal Republic of Germany was founded in West Germany, consisting of the American, British and French zones. Meanwhile, the Marxist-Leninist German Democratic Republic was proclaimed in East Germany. West Berlin remained a free city that was separate from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Cold War

West Berlin was surrounded by East German territory. East Germany proclaimed East Berlin (which it described only as "Berlin") as its capital, a move not recognized by the Western powers. Although half the size and population of West Berlin, it included most of the historic center of the city. The Cold War tensions between east and west culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin and other barriers around West Berlin by East Germany on August 13, 1961, and were exacerbated by a tank stand-off at Checkpoint Charlie on October 27, 1961. West Berlin became a de facto part of West Germany with a unique legal status, while East Berlin was de facto a part of East Germany.

It was possible for Westerners to pass from one section to the other only through strictly controlled checkpoints. For most Easterners, travel to West Berlin or West Germany was no longer possible. In 1971, a Four-Power agreement guaranteed access across East Germany to West Berlin and ended the potential for harassment or closure of the routes.

Wall demolished

Did you know?
The Berlin Wall, which had divided the East and West sections of the city since 1945, was demolished in 1989

In 1989, pressure from the East German population brought a transition to a market-based economy in East Germany, and its citizens gained access across the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, which was subsequently mostly demolished. Only a portion of the Wall remains; the East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain near the Oberbaumbrücke over the Spree.

On October 3, 1990, the two parts of Germany were reunified as the Federal Republic of Germany, and Berlin became the German capital. In 1999, the German parliament and government began their work in Berlin.

Government

Germany is a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Chancellor is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Bundestag and Bundesrat.

The Reichstag is the site of the German parliament.
Map of Berlin's 12 boroughs and their localities.

Since German reunification on October 3, 1990, Berlin has been one of the three city states, together with Hamburg and Bremen, among the present 16 states of Germany. Though most of the ministries are seated in Berlin, some of them, as well as some minor departments, are seated in Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. The European Union invests in several projects within the city of Berlin. Infrastructure, education and social programs are co-financed with budgets taken from EU cohesion funds.

The city and state parliament is the House of Representatives (Abgeordnetenhaus), which had 141 seats in 2008. Berlin's executive body is the Senate of Berlin (Senat von Berlin), which consists of the Governing Mayor (Regierender Bürgermeister) and up to eight senators holding ministerial positions, one of them holding the title "Mayor" (Bürgermeister) as deputy to the Governing Mayor.

The Governing Mayor is simultaneously Lord Mayor of the city (Oberbürgermeister der Stadt) and Prime Minister of the Federal State (Ministerpräsident des Bundeslandes).

Berlin is subdivided into 12 boroughs (Bezirke). Each borough is subdivided into a number of localities (Ortsteile), which represent the traditional urbanized areas that inhabitants identify with. The city of Berlin in 2008 consisted of 95 such localities. The localities often consist of a number of city neighborhoods (usually called Kiez in the Berlin dialect) representing small residential areas.

Each borough is governed by a borough council (Bezirksamt) consisting of five councilors (Bezirksstadträte) and a borough mayor (Bezirksbürgermeister). The borough council is elected by the borough assembly (Bezirksverordnetenversammlung). The boroughs of Berlin are not independent municipalities, and are subordinate to the Senate of Berlin. The borough mayors form the Council of Mayors (Rat der Bürgermeister), led by the city's Governing Mayor, which advises the Senate.

Economy

The economy of the city is mainly based on the service sector (Allianz building in Treptow).
Berlin's Central Railway Station
Tegel International Airport.

Berlin was once a major manufacturing center and the economic and financial hub of Germany. It was founded at a point where trade routes crossed the River Spree and quickly became a commercial center. During the early modern period, the city prospered from its role as Prussian capital by manufacturing luxury goods for the Prussian court and supplies for the Prussian military. The city suffered economically during the Cold War, when West Berlin was isolated geographically and East Berlin suffered from poor economic decisions made by East Germany’s socialist central planners.

After the reunification of Germany and Berlin in 1990, substantial subsidies were phased out, formerly received by the city of West Berlin. The industrial base of former East Berlin decreased dramatically within a decade, leading to an unemployment rate of almost 20 percent and stagnant GDP growth rates until 2005. In 2006, the nominal GDP of Berlin experienced a growth rate of 1.5 percent (2.7 percent in Germany) and totaled €80.3 ($104.4) billion. Berlin's per capita GDP was $30,252 in 2004. Since 2006, the unemployment rate steadily decreased to 14.9 percent (2007) but remained above the German (8.4 percent) and the EU27 (6.7 percent) average.[3]

The arrival of the federal government in 1999 brought some economic stimulus to Berlin. Berlin’s service sectors have also benefited from improved transportation and communications links to the surrounding region.

Some manufacturing remains in the city (Siemens and Schering are headquartered there, for instance). Items produced there include textiles, metals, clothing, porcelain and china, bicycles, and machinery. It is also a center for the production of food, chemicals, cigarettes, and confectionery.

The service sectors have become the city’s economic mainstay. Research and development have gained significance, and Berlin now ranks among the top three innovative regions in the EU (after Baden-Württemberg and the Ile de France region).

Fast-growing sectors are communications, life sciences, mobility and services with information and communication technologies, media and music, advertising and design, biotechnology and environmental services, transportation and medical engineering.

Some notable companies with their headquarters in Berlin are Axel Springer AG, Deutsche Bahn, Bombardier Transportation, Universal Music Germany and Vattenfall Europe.

Berlin is among the top five congress cities in the world and is home to Europe's biggest convention center in the form of the Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC). It contributes to the rapidly increasing tourism sector encompassing 592 hotels with 90,700 beds and numbered 17.3 million overnight stays and 7.5 million hotel guests in 2007. Berlin has established itself as the third most visited city destination in the European Union.

Public transport within Berlin is provided by the S-Bahn, which is a mostly overground urban railway system, and the U-Bahn, which is mainly underground. The Straßenbahn or tram (trolley) system operates almost exclusively in the eastern part of the city. Buses provide extensive service linking outlying districts with the city center and to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. Almost all means of public transport (U- & S- Bahn, trams, buses and most ferries) can be accessed with the same ticket.

Berlin has three commercial airports. Tegel International Airport (TXL), Tempelhof International Airport (THF), and Schönefeld International Airport (SXF) handled a total of 18.5 million passengers in 2006 and served 155 destinations.

Demographics

With a population of close to 3.5 million, Berlin is the country's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union. Berlin has been a center for national and international immigration since the Edict of Potsdam in 1685. Waves of immigrants entered in the 1960s and 1970s, while in the 1990s the Aussiedlergesetze made immigration from the former Soviet Union possible.

About 13.5 percent of the population are of foreign nationality, coming from 190 different countries. The largest groups of foreign nationals are those from Turkey, Poland, Serbia, Italy, Russia, France, Vietnam, the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, Croatia, and Israel.

German is Germany's only official and most-widely spoken language. English is the most common foreign language and almost universally taught at the secondary level. About 20 percent consider themselves to be speakers of French, followed by speakers of Russian (18 percent), Italian (6.1 percent), and Spanish (5.6 percent).

The largest religious groupings are: no religion - 60 percent, Evangelical - 23 percent, Roman Catholic - nine percent, Muslim - six percent, and Jewish - 0.4 percent.

The city has four universities and numerous private, professional and technical colleges (Fachhochschulen), catering to approximately 130,000 students. The three largest universities are the Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin) with around 35,000 students, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin with 35,000 students, and the Technische Universität Berlin with 30,000 students. The Universität der Künste has about 4,300 students.

The city has a high concentration of research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer Society and the Max Planck Society, which are independent of, or only loosely connected to its universities. A total number of 62,000 scientists are working in research and development. The Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin is a major research library. There are 108 public libraries in the city.

Places of interest

The Zoologischer Garten Berlin is the most visited zoo in Europe and presents the most diverse range of species in the world.
The Tiergarten Park.
Statue of Alexander von Humboldt outside the Humboldt University.

Berlin is home to 153 museums, including the Altes Museum (Old Museum), which has the bust of Queen Nefertiti, the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum, the Jewish Museum, the German Museum of Technology in Kreuzberg, and the Humboldt Museum of Natural History, which has the largest mounted dinosaur in the world, and the best preserved specimen of an archaeopteryx.

Art galleries include the Gemäldegalerie (Painting Gallery), which focuses on the paintings of the "Old Masters" from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries, the Neue Nationalgalerie, which specializes in twentieth century European painting, and the Hamburger Bahnhof, which exhibits a major collection of modern and contemporary art. Places of interest include:

  • The Fernsehturm (TV tower) at Alexanderplatz in Mitte is the second highest building in the European Union at 1207 feet (368 meters). Built in 1969, it is visible throughout most of the central districts of Berlin. The city can be viewed from its 669-foot (204-meter) high observation floor.
  • The Karl-Marx-Allee is an avenue lined by monumental residential buildings, designed in the Socialist Classicism Style of the Stalin era. Adjacent to this area is the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall), with its distinctive red-brick architecture. The previously built-up part in front of it is the Neptunbrunnen, a fountain featuring a mythological scene.
  • The East Side Gallery is an open-air exhibition of art painted on the last existing portions of the Berlin Wall.
  • The Brandenburg Gate is an iconic landmark of Berlin and Germany.
  • The Reichstag building is the traditional seat of the German Parliament, renovated in the 1950s after severe World War II damage. The building features a glass dome over the session area, which allows free public access to the parliamentary proceedings and magnificent views of the city.
  • Gendarmenmarkt, a neoclassical square dating to the Napoleonic occupation, is bordered by two similarly designed cathedrals, the French Cathedral with its observation platform, and the German Cathedral. The Konzerthaus (Concert Hall), home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, stands between the two cathedrals.
  • Friedrichstraße was Berlin's legendary street during the Roaring Twenties. It combines twentieth century traditions with the modern architecture of today's Berlin.
  • The Kulturforum, which houses the Gemäldegalerie, is flanked by the Neue Nationalgalerie and the Philharmonic. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a Holocaust memorial, is situated to the north.
  • The area around Hackescher Markt has countless clothing outlets, clubs, bars, and galleries. This includes the Hackesche Höfe, a conglomeration of buildings around several courtyards, reconstructed around 1996. Oranienburger Straße and the nearby New Synagogue were the center of Jewish culture before 1933.
  • The Straße des 17. Juni, connecting the Brandenburg Gate and Ernst-Reuter-Platz, commemorates the uprisings in East Berlin of June 17, 1953. Approximately half-way from the Brandenburg Gate is the Großer Stern, a circular traffic island on which the Siegessäule (Victory Column) is situated. This monument, built to commemorate Prussia's victories, was relocated 1938–39 from its previous position in front of the Reichstag. The site is annually used as the center stage for the Love Parade.
  • The Rathaus Schöneberg, where John F. Kennedy made his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner!" speech, is situated in Tempelhof-Schöneberg.
  • The Kurfürstendamm is home to some of Berlin's luxurious stores with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at its eastern end on Breitscheidplatz. The church was destroyed in World War II and left in ruins.

Berlin has a diverse and vibrant nightlife scene. Many buildings in the former city center of East Berlin became home to nightclubs, including Kunst Haus Tacheles, techno clubs Tresor, WMF, Ufo, E-Werk, the infamous Kitkatclub and Berghain. The Linientreu is known for techno music, and the LaBelle discotheque in Friedenau was the location of the 1986 Berlin discotheque bombing.

The Karneval der Kulturen, a multi-ethnic street parade, takes place every Pentecost weekend, and the Christopher Street Day, which is Central Europe's largest gay-lesbian pride event, takes place on the last weekend of June. Berlin is well known for the techno carnival Love Parade and the cultural festival Berliner Festspiele, which include the jazz festival JazzFest Berlin.

Berlin is home to more than 50 theaters, has three opera houses, and seven symphony orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Looking to the future

Berlin, the capital city of reunited Germany, is a young city by European standards, although it has had an impressive history since the ninth century, when "Berolina" was a small town on a trade route. Berlin is a center in European politics, culture, media, and science. The metropolis is home to world-renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums and personalities.

The city suffered economically during the Cold War, when West Berlin was isolated and East Berlin suffered from poor economic decisions made by East Germany’s socialist central planners. After reunification in 1990, the industrial base of former East Berlin decreased, leading to high unemployment and stagnant GDP growth rates until 2005.

The arrival of the federal government in 1999 brought some economic stimulus to Berlin. Berlin’s service sectors have also benefited from improved transportation and communications links to the surrounding region. The service sectors have become the city’s economic mainstay. Research and development have gained significance, and Berlin now ranks among the top three innovative regions in the European Union. Fast-growing sectors are communications, life sciences, mobility and services with information and communication technologies, media and music, advertising and design, biotechnology and environmental services, transportation and medical engineering.

As capital of affluent and technologically powerful Germany, the economy of which is the fifth largest in the world, and with Cold War issues in the past, Berlin can be expected to prosper.

Notes

  1. Bevölkerungsstand in Berlin am 31. Oktober 2011 nach Bezirken (in German). Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (31 October 2011). Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  2. Prefixes for vehicle registration were introduced in 1906, but often changed due to the political changes after 1945. Vehicles were registered under the following prefixes: "I A" (1906– April 1945; devalidated on 11 August 1945); no prefix, only digits (since July till August 1945), "БГ" (=BG; 1945–1946, for cars, lorries and busses), "ГФ" (=GF; 1945–1946, for cars, lorries and busses), "БM" (=BM; 1945–1947, for motor bikes), "ГM" (=GM; 1945–1947, for motor bikes), "KB" (i.e.: Kommandatura of Berlin; for all of Berlin 1947–1948, continued for West Berlin until 1956), "GB" (i.e.: Greater Berlin, for East Berlin 1948–1953), "I" (for East Berlin, 1953–1990), "B" (for West Berlin as of 1 July 1956, continued for all of Berlin since 1990).
  3. BBC News. October 2, 2007. Eurozone jobless marks record low Retrieved July 31, 2008.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Chandler, Tertius. Four thousand years of urban growth: an historical census. Lewiston, NY, U.S.A.: St. David's University Press, 1987. ISBN 0889462070
  • Gill, Anton. A dance between flames: Berlin between the wars. London: John Murray, 1993. ISBN 0719549868
  • Gross, Leonard. The last Jews in Berlin. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1982. ISBN 9780671247270
  • Gwertzman, Bernard M., and Michael T. Kaufman. The Collapse of communism. New York, NY: Times Books, 1990. ISBN 978-0812918724
  • Large, David Clay. Berlin. New York: Basic Books, 2001. ISBN 046502632X
  • Read, Anthony, and David Fisher. Berlin rising: biography of a city. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1994. ISBN 978-0393036060

External links

All links retrieved September 28, 2023.


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