"Berlin" a Berlin Travel Page by cheekymarieh

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This is the capital of Germany and also the biggest city in the country.There is a population of around three and a half million people and they live in an area of around 900 square kilometres.

Geographically it is situated in central Eurpoe where the rivers Havel and Spree are found.

Berlin began as capital of Prussia and then of Germany until 1945. Power was transferred to Bonn. Since the reunification it has once more been reinstated as the capital city.

Between 1949 and 1990, it was divided into East Berlin, the capital of the former East Germany and West Berlin. The demarcation line became known as the Berlin Wall and was present between August 1961, and November 1989 when the wall came tumbling down.

It was on the morning of the 13th August 1961, that the then leader of East Germany, Eric Honecker decided to divide East Berlin and the rest of East Germany from West Berlin using barbed wire. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn railway services between East and West Berlin were interrupted. The residents of East Berlin and the East were stopped from entering West Berlin even those commuters who had worked in West Berlin. After this the East German forces began to build a more permanent structure - the infamous Berlin Wall.
In the year 1989, there were dramatic events such as a massive flight of inhabitants of the GDR via Hungary and big demonstrations in Leipzig on Mondays. After weeks of discussion about a new travel law, the leader of East Berlin's communist party (SED), Günter Schabowski, said on November 9, 1989 at about 7 p.m. in somewhat unclear words that the border would be opened for "private trips abroad". A little later, an onrush of East Berliner's towards West Berlin began, and there were celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate and at the Kurfürstendamm in West Berlin. On November 10, demolition works began with the aim of creating new border crossings. On November 12, a checkpoint at the Potsdamer Platz was opened, and on December 22, a checkpoint for pedestrians was opened at the Brandenburg Gate.
On February 1997, a red line was painted on the pavement at the former "Checkpoint Charlie" to mark the course of the former Berlin wall. This line shall reach a length of 20 km and shall be replaced by two rows of paving stones.
Berlin is now, officially, the capital of Germany and many major German corporations are in the process of relocating their headquarters to the city of political decision making. New buildings, built by world-class architects have sprouted up throughout the 'New Berlin' and although much of its historical heritage was destroyed during the second world war, Berlin has maintained a cultural richness, sustaining a fascinating and diverse selection of museums and monuments. Still a city of two sides, the west embraces alternative lifestyles with a vivacious nightlife and inherent atmosphere of mounting excitement while the east is a journey through the remains of the socialist experiment, a living breathing museum of utilitarian buildings and hidden delights. Beyond the main thoroughfares there are lively bars, all night entertainment and interesting little cafés.