The Berlin Wall

Introduction Berlin is the fourth largest city in Europe and the sixty-second largest city in the world with a population of 3,517,424 as of December 2013 (Amt für Statistik Berlin, 2014). The city is renowned for its industry, history, politics and above all, culture. Moreover, Berlin is known for the rise of Nazism and Adolf Hitler as well as literally being torn in half following World War II, as the Soviet Union and Western Powers used Berlin as a proxy piece in the Cold War. Berlin is unique because, for forty years, the city was physically split in half by the Berlin Wall. Berlin diverged from itself in those years, growing independently on either side of the Wall. As quickly as it was separated, Berlin was reunified when the Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989. Berlin is a prime focus for a distinctive case study regarding how a city with the same population, resources, and technologic assets can grow diversely and independently from itself. [INSERT SUMMARY OF BERLIN HERE]

First, the history of Berlin from its foundation to its incorporation to its rise as a world power is presented. Next, an analysis of Berlin’s population and demographics shows how the people of Berlin came to exist as they are today and how they impact the city. Subsequently, the economy of Berlin is evaluated, specifically the key functions, industries, and groups that have shaped Berlin in its nearly 800 year existence. Then, the social structure of the Berlin population is considered, utilizing all of the previous information as reasoning as to why Berlin society is structured the way it is. Finally, the future of Berlin is speculated on, using the current state of the city as a