Berlin information

Berlin is the capital city and one of the sixteen states of the Federal Republic of Germany. With a population of 3.4 million in its city limits, Berlin is the country's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the ninth most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-Brandenburg 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 Third Reich (1933-1945). After the Second World War, 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 major center in European politics, culture, media, and science. It serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport. 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. Berlin is the third most-visited tourist destination in the EU. Other industries include traffic engineering, optoelectronics, IT, vehicle manufacturing, health care, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology. (...) more....

Berlin travel guide by

Before Christmas for the Christmas markets and in the spring, generally May and June are the best months. Summer can be hit or miss.

Berlin travel guide last edited by sylviaroberge

One company, Brewer's Berlin Tours, does free walking tours of the city every day at 1 pm. Tip the guide at the end of the tour. More details at www.brewersberlintours.com

For a tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Museum and Memorial, there is a non-profit tour company, Mosaic Tours, that conducts tours of the camp for only €12 or €10 for students, the least expensive of all the companies offering tours of the camp. See www.mosaictours.org Money goes to 3 charities, including Amnesty International.

Berlin travel guide last edited by sylviaroberge

Two popular movies that showcase Germany, and in particular Berlin, are Run, Lola Run and Wings of Desire.

Also watch "Goodbye Lenin!" and "The Lives of Others" for different perspectives on the GDR.

Berlin travel guide last edited by sylviaroberge

Berliners don't apologise if they bump into you. Don't worry about it or be offended, just keep walking!

Berlin travel guide last edited by sylviaroberge