Capital of Germany

The capital of Germany is the city of Berlin. It is an important place because it is where the Federal President of Germany lives and works in Bellevue Castle. Berlin is also where the Federal Council meets. The Federal Council represents the different parts of the country called the Lands of Germany, and it used to meet in a building called the former Prussian House of Lords.

Even though Berlin is the official capital, many important offices are still in Bonn. Bonn used to be the capital of West Germany before the country joined together. Today, about half of the people who work for the government are still in Bonn, which is far away from Berlin.

History

Pre-1871

Before 1871, Germany was not one country and did not have a capital city. In the past, the German Holy Roman Empire often used Aachen as a main place for government during the time of Charlemagne. Many emperors were crowned there. Later, the coronation moved to Frankfurt. After Charlemagne, emperors did not stay in one place but moved around.

1871–1945

In 1871, when Germany became one country, Berlin was chosen as its capital because it was already the capital of Prussia, the largest state. Berlin stayed the capital until 1945. During World War I, for a short time the government met in Weimar because there was fighting in Berlin. After World War II in 1945, Berlin was not the capital anymore.

1945–1990

In 1949, Germany split into two parts. Berlin was also split. The western part chose Bonn as its capital, not Berlin, because they hoped Germany would one day reunite. East Germany said East Berlin was its capital, but the western allies did not agree.

Since 1990

In 1990, Germany reunited, and Berlin became the capital again. In 1991, Germany decided to move the government back to Berlin by 1999, though some offices stayed in Bonn. The German constitution was changed in 2006 to say Berlin is the capital.