BERLIN

city, cap. of republic of Pru ia and of Ger. Empire, on Spree (52° 30/ N., 13° 24’ E.), was residence of Hohenzollern family from 1442 to 1918; sacked several times during Thirty Years’ ‘War; suffered in Seven Years’ War and Fr. revolutionary wars. Its importance dates from time of Great Elector, Frederick William, by whom modern town was laid out. His son, Frederick I., constructed Friedrichstadt (1688); there has been enormous building activity since 1870. Height is c. 100 ft. above sea; site level; well laid out, with many fine streets; third town in size, and_ before World War perhaps cleanest in Europe. The Spree divides city into two parts; on its r. bit. are oldest parts, Old Berlin, with the Rathaus, and, finally united to it in 15th cent., Old Kolin, with royal palace, on an island. Seventy-five per cent. of buildings are modern, a large proportion being very good modern Renai ance work showing Fr. influence; principal old buildings are Kloster Kirch and three other churches. Principal street is famous Unter den Linden, over a mile long, formed by three avenues of lime trees; it contains numerous public buildings, government offices, statues, etc., and claims to be finest street in Europe. Itis entered at. brated gateway, copied from Propylea, Athens, leading to the chief park, the Thiergarten, in the HE. of which is the Sieges Allee (Avenue of magnificent of Victory), lined with marble statues Hohenzollerns, and leading to the the Kénigsplatz, where stands the lofty column of Victory (1873, commemorating the triumph over France). Here also are the new Reichstag building (1884-94), a new royal opera-house, and monuments to Bismarck and Moltke; also a royal palace, an. enormous rectangular building in the Renai ance style. The Schlo briicke is adorned with eight groups of marble statuary. Opposite the palace is tha new Renai ance cathedral. Other important streets run parallel, and at right angles, to Unter den Linden, the ground having been systematically laid out. Leipziger Stra e is a busy thoroughfare through which traffic flows over Leipziger Platz, Platz, to the W.; Freidrichstra e, with its famous shops, stretching for over 3 m., starts from Belle-Allianceplatz, and cro es Unter den Linden and Leipziger Stra e on its way N. to its continuation, street of palaces, starts like Friedrichstra e at Belle-Allianceplatz, and runs to the Linden; from same center ‘Konigit are War Office, General Post Office, etc., and most fashionable shops. There are many modern churches, including new cathedral. Uniy., founded 1810, N. of Opern Platz, is foremost in Germany; near it is the Royal Library. The National Gallery and museums are all near the Lust-Garten; theatres aro numerous. There are many bridges over river,,;and everywhere are statues and monuments; W. end is favorite residential quarter; in E. are works and factories, in N. foundries, and in N.W. hospitals, law courts, etc. Berlin’s geographical situation in center of N. Pru ia and of waterways covering dist. between Elbe and Oder, and at cro ing of lines of communication between Brandenburg, Silesia, Saxony, Hanover, Mecklenburg, and Pomerania, is commercially advantageous. Great manufacturing city; produces woolens, inery, metal goods, beer, paper, gold, silver, and bronze work, hardware, etc. Pop. 3,000,000.