Facts for Kids

Berlin has a long story that begins a very long time ago, with people living by the rivers and forests. The town we now call Berlin grew from small settlements and is often dated to the year 1237. Over the centuries it became the center of the region called Brandenburg and later the capital of Prussia and the German Empire. Thinkers, artists, and scientists made the city lively during the Age of Enlightenment, and factories and workers changed it a lot in the 1800s. In the 1900s Berlin saw hard times, was divided after World War II by the Berlin Wall, and then reunited in 1990 to be Germany’s capital again.

Berlin is the capital city of Germany and the biggest city inside its official limits. About 3.7 million people live inside the city, and even more live in the wider area around it. Because Berlin is also one of Germany’s 16 states, it works like a city and a state at the same time. The city sits along the Spree river and has many lakes and parks — about one-third of Berlin is green space. Today Berlin is known for art, music, science, movies, and people from many countries. What part of a big city would you like to explore first?

Berlin sits in northeastern Germany on flat land that was shaped long ago by ice and melting water. The Spree river runs through the city and joins the Havel river in the west. Berlin has many lakes such as Müggelsee and chains of smaller lakes along the Havel. Parts of the city rise on low plateaus called Barnim and Teltow, while some places are as low as 28 meters above sea level. People also made hills from building rubble, like Arkenberge and Teufelsberg. You can think of Berlin as a patchwork of rivers, lakes, parks, and neighborhoods — where would you put a picnic?

Berlin is home to about 3.7 million people inside the city and more than 4.6 million in the larger urban area. The whole Berlin–Brandenburg region has around 6.2 million people. Many people in Berlin come from other countries or have family roots in other places, so you will hear many languages on the streets. The city has one of the biggest Turkish communities outside Turkey and growing numbers from places like Ukraine and countries of the former Soviet Union. Lots of neighborhoods are known for their mix of foods, shops, and festivals, which makes the city feel lively and international.

Culture is a big reason people visit Berlin: the city has many museums, theaters, and music halls, plus three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Berlin is also important for science and learning, with major universities and research centers. Movie-making began early here, and large film studios nearby helped build a strong film industry. Berlin is a media and technology hub with creative businesses, and it hosts Europe’s most visited zoo for families and animal lovers. The city mixes old palaces and new skyscrapers at places like Potsdamer Platz and Alexanderplatz — what would you like to see first, a museum or a movie studio?

House of Representatives is the name of Berlin’s city and state parliament, where elected people meet to make rules for the city. The city is also run by the Senate of Berlin, which includes the Governing Mayor and other senators who lead departments like schools, transport, and parks. Berlin is split into 12 boroughs, each with its own local council and mayor, but these boroughs follow rules set by the city Senate. As Germany’s capital, Berlin hosts the federal parliament in the Reichstag building, the Chancellor’s office, and other national offices, while some government departments still work from the old capital, Bonn.