Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of approximately 3.5 million, Berlin is the second most populous city proper in the European Union and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany on the River Spree, it is the center of the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region, which has about 6 million residents from over 190 nations.
Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media and science. Its economy is based on high-tech firms and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations and convention venues. Berlin serves as a continental hub for air and rail traffic and has a highly complex public transportation network. The metropolis is a popular tourist destination. Significant industries also include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, clean tech, biotechnology, construction and electronics.
Berlin is home to world-renowned universities, orchestras, museums and entertainment venues, and is host to many sporting events. Its Zoological Garden is the most visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide.
Museums include the Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pergamon Museum houses Hellenistic and Roman archaeological exhibits, while the Egyptian collection at the Neues Museum is one of the largest outside Cairo. Notable art museums include the Berlin State Museums, which operate the old Prussian royal art collections, and public collections such as the Deutsche Bank.
