In matters regarding the geographical location of Germany people always want to know if Berlin belongs to East Germany or West Germany. Consequently, the answer is not quite simple as one might think. However, to fully appreciate the position of the city in the annals of it’s nation, there is a lot more to be said and reviewed relative to the historic period of the Cold War up to its reunification. So, let’s travel back in time and begin to explore the history of that incredible city we all call Berlin.

Germany and its division as well as a special place of Berlin

To fully appreciate the trend of Berlin’s location it is necessary to understand the manner of Germany’s division after the Second World War. After the defeat of Germany in the fifth year of the Post World W /ar I period, the Soviet Union, the United States of America, Great Britain, and France divided Germany into four zones of occupation. Berlin the capital of Germany which is in the eastern part of the geographical area of Germany was also similarly divided into four sectors.

The Formation of East Germany

The Soviet Union controlled section was called German Democratic Republic (GDR) or East Germany officially stated in 1949. The GDR grew into a socialist state, linked to the Eastern Bloc, imposed by Soviet influence. Because Berlin was situated within the territorial borders of the GDR, it became the capital of this state.

The Formation of West Germany

The three remaining sectors were retained and amalgamated and renamed as the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), locall,y known as West Germany, and this was controlled by United States, United Kingdom, and France. Bonn was the capital of West Germany. All these western areas of Berlin were collectively called West Berlin.

The Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Division

The divided of Germany got deeper in 1961 when construction of the wall between East Berlin and West Berlin started. This notorious wall divided physically, East and West Berliners and became a symbol of the conflict between Eastern and Western values during the cold war.

Up to the period of about twenty- nine years, the wall that divided Berlin split the city and hampered free people circulation between the two sides of the wall. Travel to East Berlin was a bureaucratic and serious affair for West Berliners while any attempt to flee East Germany was dealt with hard consequences.

Berlin’s Reunification: A Triumph of History

The break of barrier at Berlin wall on November 9, 1989 was one of the greatest milestone in world history. The German unification of the former East and West Germany turned into an interesting reality and Berlin, which only symbolized division turned out to symbolize unity.

After the reunification, Berlin got the status of the capital of united Germany once again. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to mention that political and administrative division of Germany in two parts, eastern and western did not dissolve completely at once. This was a gradual process of linking east and west and that needs time, energy and capital investment.

The Modern Berlin: A Dynamic And Multicultural City

Berlin as it is today is a populous cosmopolitan city with lots of international tourist arrivals. It has heritage building, well designed structures and it boasts of an active arts culture. Although Berlin is one of the most vibrant and innovative cities of modern Europe, its not difficult to see echoes of the past – broken parts of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and numerous memorials located all over the city.

Besides, Berlin is one of the most historical cities that unites today’s characteristic of East and West Germany. Though the place is entirely accepting of reunification, the city also retains physical representations of the divided past, loving both parts.

Walks and Tours Through Berlin’s Neighbourhoods

Berlin however is not just some singular entity but rather more like a city of wards, all of which have their own activity levels. This city has something for everyone; from the artistic and creative neighborhood of the Kreuzberg, to history-laden Mitte to hipster Staple Prenzlauer Berg.

Whether you are wandering through the street of Friedrichshain and enjoying the bookseller atmosphere of Charlottenburg or even raising through the plush ambience of Potsdamer Platz, each one of them gives some part of Berlin’s personality.

A City With Thousands of Museums and Cultural Sites

It goes without saying that for culture lovers, museums and galleries prominent in Berlin will not cease to impress visitors . Starting with the Museum Island listed as the UNESCO site, up to modern art in Kulturforum it is impossible to run out of chances to feel the centuries-old history of this place.

Whether it is the history of ancient world at Pergamon Museum or the artefacts of Jewish history in the Jewish Museum, or political and social statement at the East Side Gallery Berlin’s art scene will not cease to marvel the tourists.

Final Thoughts

Therefore, despite the fact that Berlin was in East Germany during the split of this country, it could be considered as the symbol of the reunification and the subsequent development of the whole country. Today, Berlin stands to represent the victory of history and the souls of the nation. Overwhelming this city gives the opportunity to see the conflict of opposite cultures and the synthesis of East and West. Therefore, when you are planning for your next vacation trip, try to put Berlin on the agenda and find out what a city with such a past is like.