After the second world war, Berlin was separated
into communist East and capitalist West until 1990,
when the Berlin Wall was pulled down. Since the city
was reunited, it has again become the capital of Germany
and the people of East and West have begun to learn
to live together, although the transition has not
always been easy. Streets have been reconnected but
there are still noticeable differences in the architecture.
The West of Berlin is dominated by modern shopping
centers, housing and skyscrapers whilst the buildings
in the East remain mostly pre-war.
Previously in the Eastern sector, the Brandenburg
Gate is now open to traffic and Alexanderplatz has
again become an important center of the capital. Check
Point Charlie, which used to guard the crossing between
East and West, is now a museum. The city has many
museums, theatres and galleries, a vibrant nightlife
and holds a range of festivals and parades.
Public transport in Berlin is efficient but relatively
expensive. The large city can be explored using trams,
buses, S-Bahn (commuter rail) and U-Bahn (underground).
Daily, weekly and monthly tickets can be purchased
and used throughout the public transport network.
Taxis are widely available and although driving a
car is an option, traffic congestion and parking can
be problematic. Cycling is also a good way to see
Berlin, which has many cycle paths.
