Page 98 - A History of the World in 25 Cities

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At the end of the Second World War, the German capital, Berlin, became a divided city. Some parts of it were left in the control of the Western Allies (the United Kingdom, France and the United States) as part of West Germany. However, the rest was controlled by the Soviet Union and became part of East Germany.
This meant that the little section of West Germany in Berlin was surrounded by Soviet-controlled East Germany. To prevent people moving from poorer East Germany
to the richer West, a wall was built completely enclosing West Berlin. The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the ‘Iron Curtain’ between the forces of the West and the Soviets.
Built as a home for the German Parliament. It was burned down in an arson attack in the 1930s and fell into ruin after the Second World War. It was partly reconstructed between 1961 and 1964, but was not used again as the seat of government until many years later, after German reunification – when West Germany and East Germany became one country again in 1990.
1964
This famous zoo opened in 1844.
Built between 1788 and 1791, this has been the backdrop to many historic events.
It has come to be an important symbol of European unity and peace.
One of the city’s most famous landmarks. This church was destroyed by bombs in the Second World War. The church building was rebuilt, but the damaged spire of the old church was left as a monument to the conflict.
An empty, exposed area between the east and west sides of the wall. It allowed guards to easily see off any attempted escape.
The main road border crossing between West Berlin and East Germany.