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'''Berlin''' is the capital and largest city of the [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]], as well as one of its sixteen federal states (''Bundesländer''). Having formerly been the capital city of the [[Prussia|Kingdom of Prussia]] and the Duchy of Brandenburg, it has been a center of German political and intellectual life since the 18th century, and is today regarded as one of the most significant cities in the world.

'''Berlin''' is the capital and largest city of the [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]], as well as one of its sixteen federal states (''Bundesländer''). Having formerly been the capital city of the [[Prussia|Kingdom of Prussia]] and the Duchy of Brandenburg, it has been a center of German political and intellectual life since the 18th century, and is today regarded as one of the most significant cities in the world.

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 (a.k.a. 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 of 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. The wall's opening in November 1989 heralded the end of the Cold War, and was a milestone on the path to the reunification of Germany. Today, Berlin is both an economic and political powerhouse in Germany and Europe, and is internationally recognized for its historical landmarks and cultural heritage.

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]] (a.k.a. the German Democratic Republic) made East Berlin into the capital of [[East Germany]], whereas the Western Allies (USA, UK, Gaullist France) and West Germany (the Federal Republic of 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 1962 in order to stop people escaping from East Berlin to West Berlin for economic as well as political reasons. The wall's opening in November 1989 heralded the end of the Cold War, and was a milestone on the path to the reunification of Germany. Today, Berlin is both an economic and political powerhouse in Germany and Europe, and is internationally recognized for its historical landmarks and cultural heritage.

== History ==

== History ==