Berlin

Berlin, officially the capital of Germany, is located in Central Europe. Berlin is both a city and a federal state of Germany. It borders the state of Brandenburg. The city covers an area of about 891 km². The population of Berlin is around 3.7 million according to recent data. Berlin is the largest city in Germany in terms of population. The River Spree flows through the city, and there are many lakes and green areas. Berlin is an important political, cultural, and economic center of Germany.
Berlin is known for its historical buildings and modern lifestyle. Important landmarks include the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, and remains of the Berlin Wall. The city has many museums, universities, and international companies. Public transportation system is very developed, including buses, trams, underground trains, and suburban trains.

Etymology
The name Berlin is believed to come from a Slavic word. It is thought to be related to a word meaning “swamp,” because the area was originally marshy. Some people think the name is connected to the bear, since a bear appears on the city’s coat of arms. However, historians say that the name probably does not comes from the animal. The bear became a symbol later.

History
Berlin was first mentioned in the 13th century. It developed as a trading town in the Middle Ages. Later, it became the capital of Prussia and then of the German Empire in 1871. In the 20th century, Berlin experienced major events, including World War I and World War II. After 1945, the city was divided into East and West Berlin. The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and separated the city for many years. In 1989, the wall fell, and Germany was reunited in 1990. Since then, Berlin has grow into an international and dynamic capital.

Prehistory

Archaeological findings show that people were living in the Berlin area thousands of years ago. During prehistoric times, small groups settled near rivers and forests. In later periods,