Berlin Introduction

City Introduction

Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany as well as one of its 16 constituent states. With a population of approximately 3.7 million, Berlin is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany on the banks of the rivers Spree and Havel, it is the centre of the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region, which has roughly 6 million residents from more than 180 nations. Due to its location in the European Plain, Berlin is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. Around one-third of the city's area is composed of forests, parks, gardens, rivers, canals and lakes.

Berlin is a city of culture, politics, media and science. Its economy is based on high-techfirms and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations and convention venues. Berlin serves as a continental hub for air and rail traffic and has a highly complex public transportation network. The metropolis is a popular tourist destination. Significant industries also include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, clean tech, biotechnology, construction and electronics.

Modern Berlin is home to world renowned universities, orchestras, museums, entertainment venues and is host to many sporting events. Its urban setting has made it a sought-after location for international film productions.The city is well known for its festivals, diverse architecture, nightlife, contemporary arts and a high quality of living. Since the 2000s Berlin has seen the emergence of a cosmopolitan entrepreneurial scene.

Historical Culture

Berlin has an ancient history. Originally built in 1237, Berlin was located in the east side of the Spree River; it was a merchant's neighborhood. On the west side of the river was a settlement named Cohen, which was a fishing village. In 1307, the two cites became one, named as Berlin. Under the rule of the Aska family, Berlin became an important commercial center and it had been the capital for Brandenburg Elector since 1415.

In 1701, the Brandenburg Elector Frederick III reigned as Frederick I, the King of Prussia. The distinguished history of the Prussian Kingdom began to unfold, and Berlin automatically became the capital.

The German Empire was founded in 1871, king of Prussia, William I, became the king of the German Empire and made Berlin the capital.

The German Empire ignited the First World War in 1914, the emperor was abdicated followed by the defeat and collapse of Germany in 1918. In February 1919, Germany established the Weimar Republic, made Berlin the capital.

Hitler came to power in 1933 and began his dictatorship, he established Nazi Germany, and assigned Berlin as the capital. In 1939, Germany initiated the Second World War; eventually he would be defeated on May 8, 1945 by the Allies.

After the Second World War, Berlin was segmented by four victorious nations respectively, which were the former Soviet Union (East Berlin), the United States (Southwest Berlin), Britain (Western Berlin) and France (Northwest Berlin). East Berlin became the capital of the East Germany, and West Berlin in fact became an enclave in East Germany, surrounded by the Berlin Wall. Berlin regained the position of the German capital city after the two parts reunified in 1990.

In 1991, the German parliament voted to move the capital from Bonn to Berlin before 2000. Since then, Berlin launched its large-scale reconstruction project. A new congress and the prime minister's office were built in the north side of the Capitol. The once mined Potsdamer Platzthe at the alert zone under the Berlin Wall became the commercial center of Berlin again. Berlin restored its position as cultural and economic center in Europe.

Natural Environment

Berlin is located on the northeast plain of Germany, and situated at the estuary where Spree, the beautiful Elbe river tributary falls into the Havel River. About 180 kilometers north from the Baltic sea, 190 kilometers away from the Czech Republic at south, it conjugates the traffic arteries between East and West Europe, not only is it a national transportation center, but it is also one of very important transportation hub in Europe.

Climate

Berlin's climate transitions from maritime climate to continental climate; the annual average temperature is 9.4 ℃. Lower temperatures is common in winter, the average temperature in January is - 1 ℃; summer is cool, average temperature in July is 18 ℃. Annual precipitation is 580 mm, the season distributes comparatively homogeneously, but slightly more in summer. Snow is commonly seen during winter.

Holidays

Neujahrstag: Janurary 1st

Ostern: Good Friday to Easter Monday

Tag der Arbeit: May 1st

Christihimmelfahrt: The first Thursday since 40 days after Easter

 Pfingstsonntag: The Seventh Sunday since Easter

Tag der Deutschen Einheit: October 3rd

Weihnachten: Dec 25th to 26th