Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Berlin is the largest city in Germany and has a population of 4.3 million within its metropolitan area and 3.4 million within the city limits. It is 38 kilometres long and 45 kilometres wide and covers an area of 889 square kilometres.
Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, for its lively nightlife, for its many cafes, clubs, and bars, and for its numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest.
Berlin's architecture is quite varied: though badly damaged in the final years of World War II, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, and it is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the compact city center, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultramodern glass and steel structures in Potsdamer Platz.
Berlin is an exciting conglomeration of very different districts, centres and suburbs, each with its own character.
Berlin has been officially divided into 12 large districts (Bezirke) since January 2001.
Some districts of Berlin are more worthy of the tourists's attention than others.
The following Berlin's districts are of most interest when travelling Berlin:
Mitte - the historical center of Berlin;
Charlottenburg - heart of City West around the Schloss Charlottenburg;
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg -associated with the left wing youth culture, artists and Turkish immigrants;
Prenzlauer Berg - north of the city center. Popular with students, artists and media professionals;
Schöneberg - cosy area for ageing hippies, young families and homosexuals;
Zehlendorf - one of the greenest and wealthiest districts in Berlin with the biggest Berlin's University (Freie Universität);
The most popular areas of interest that are not districts but known by the name.
Ku'Damm - one of the main shopping streets in Berlin, especially for luxury goods;
Potsdamer Platz - newly developed area of a modern style, has a large shopping center and two movie theatre complexes;
Berlin is a relatively young city by European standards, dating to the thirteenth century, and it has always had a reputation as a place filled with people from elsewhere.
One of the most important "products" produced in Berlin by both academic and company-sponsored institutes is research. That research is exported around the world just like tangible goods. German labor is highly efficient but comes at high cost.