128
edits
Changes
More about Berlin
'''Berlin''' is the capital of Germany, and formerly of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Margravate of Brandenburg]].
'''Berlin''' is the capital of Germany, and formerly of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Margravate of Brandenburg]].
During the [[Cold War]] it was divided into Eastern and Western halves controlled by East and West Germany respectively, with a [[Berlin Wall|wall]] between them to stop people escaping the impoverished East Berlin to the more affluent West.
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 capitol 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 capitol 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 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.
Central yearly events are the Love Parade with tecno 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.
A remarkable political event was the public announcement of the current mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, in the election campaign to be gay. <ref>article in NY Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/world/europe/23wowereit.html?ei=5090&en=fab18328b0dbeafe&ex=1316664000&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all]</ref>
----
'''References:''' <references/>
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Germany]]
[[Category:Germany]]