The Capital of Germany, Berlin, is also its largest city. Between 1949 and 1990, it was divided into East Berlin, the capital of the German Democratic Republic and West Berlin. The City was divided by the Berlin Wall between 1961 and 1989. The reunification happened in October 1990. Berlin is in the north of Germany and was built on sand from Spree and Havel, the two rivers running between the plateaux of Barnim in the north and Teltow in the South. Berlin has 12 divisions, each governed by a district council with a district Mayor.

In 1999, the German government moved from Bonn to Berlin. Between1890 and 1920 Berlin was the fourth largest urban area in the world. A number of impressive buildings from earlier centuries dot the city of Berlin. But, its appearance today has been due to the role played by Germany in the 20th century. Not much of the Berlin wall is left today, though the architecture provides tell tale evidence of Eastern Germany vs. Western Germany. The Berliner Funkturm is the only observation tower in the world which stands on insulators.

With over 150 theatres, 170 museums and 3 opera houses, the city’s cultural program is simply amazing. The Art Scene in Berlin is extremely rich and the city plays hot to an art forum and an international annual art fair. Berlin is also home to the European film Academy. Germany has a thriving film industry too. Berlin played host for the historical 1936 Olympic and enjoys a great sporting tradition. 2009 will see Berlin hosting the Athletic World Championship and the accompanying football fever will bring a buzz to the city. Berlin, in the coming months will be a hot destination and flights and hotels are already filling up.