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| − | '''Berlin''' is the capital of Germany, and formerly of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Margravate of Brandenburg]].
| + | [[Image:DSC00590_1.jpg|thumb|300|right|The Brandenburg Gate, viewed from the newly restored Paris Place.]] |
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| − | During the [[Cold War]] it was divided into an Eastern and a Western part. Both were considered to be under the control of the four WWII Allies. However, in fact, the USSR and East Germany, the German Democratic Republic, made East Berlin to the capital of East Germany, whereas the Western Allies (USA, UK, France) and West Germany, the Federal Republic Germany, insisted on the allied status of all sectors of Berlin and made Bonn to the preliminary capital of West Germany. A [[Berlin Wall|wall]] between the two parts was built by East Germany in order to stop people escaping from East Berlin to West Berlin for economic as well as political reasons.
| + | '''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]], and formerly of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Margravate of Brandenburg]]. |
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| − | Berlin is well-known for its liberal attitude and its large "alternative scene". During cold war time, numerous young men from West Germany moved to West-Berlin, in order to dodge the draft to the army. They founded numerous communities, mainly in the city district "Kreuzberg". It is also the district with a strong community of Turkish. | + | During the [[Cold War]] it was divided into an Eastern and a Western part. Both were considered to be under the control of the four WWII Allies. However, in fact, the USSR and East Germany, the German Democratic Republic, made East Berlin into the capital of East Germany, whereas the Western Allies (USA, UK, France) and West Germany, the Federal Republic Germany, insisted on the allied status of all sectors of Berlin and made Bonn into the provisional capital of West Germany. A [[Berlin Wall|wall]] between the two parts was built by East Germany in order to stop people escaping from East Berlin to West Berlin for economic as well as political reasons. |
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| | + | Berlin is well-known for its liberal attitude and its large "alternative scene". During the time of the [[Cold War]], numerous young men from West Germany moved to West-Berlin, in order to avoid military service. They founded numerous communities, mainly in the city district "Kreuzberg". It is also the district with a strong community of Turkish. |
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| | Central yearly events are the Love Parade with techno music and the Cristopher Street Day Parade. Another typical characteristic of Berliners is their so-called "Berliner Schnauze", prompt and sharp comments or replies. For outsiders it is often mistaken as rudeness. | | Central yearly events are the Love Parade with techno music and the Cristopher Street Day Parade. Another typical characteristic of Berliners is their so-called "Berliner Schnauze", prompt and sharp comments or replies. For outsiders it is often mistaken as rudeness. |