… [Bɛɐ̯ˈliːn] is the federal capital of the Federal Republic of Germany and at the same time one of its states. With around 3.65 million inhabitants, the city is the most populous and with 892 square kilometers the largest municipality in Germany. It forms the center of the Berlin / Brandenburg metropolitan region (around 6 million inhabitants) and the agglomeration (around 4.5 million inhabitants). The city-state consists of twelve districts. In addition to the rivers Spree and Havel, there are smaller rivers and numerous lakes and forests in the urban area.

First mentioned in a document in the 13th century, the federal capital was the residence and capital of Brandenburg, Prussia and the German Empire throughout history and in various forms of government. From 1949 the eastern part of the city was the capital of the German Democratic Republic. With German reunification in 1990, the city again became the German capital and subsequently the seat of the Federal Government, the Federal President, the Bundestag, the Bundesrat and numerous federal ministries and embassies.

The major economic sectors in the capital include tourism, the creative and cultural industries, biotechnology and healthcare with medical technology and the pharmaceutical industry, information and communication technologies, construction and real estate, trade, optoelectronics, and energy technology the trade fair and congress industry. The city is a European hub for rail and air transport. Berlin is one of the up-and-coming international centers for innovative company founders and records high annual growth rates in the number of people in employment.

Berlin is known as a metropolis of culture, politics, media and science. The capital’s universities, research institutions, sporting events and museums enjoy an international reputation. The metropolis bears the UNESCO title City of Design and is one of the most visited centers on the continent. Architecture, festivals, nightlife and diverse living conditions are known around the world.