Berlin

In 1998, Berlin is on the verge of becoming the place from which the Federal Republic of Germany will be governed. The city is in the midst of a significant transformation. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Berlin has been a site where the twists and turns of Central European history have unfolded against the same backdrops time and again. Now, in light of the major changes of recent years - the unification of Europe, Germany, and the city itself - a new chapter in its development begins. The time seems right to sharpen awareness of what defines the peculiarities of the city commune and its political, economic, and cultural systems. A retrospective, a look at the present, and forward-looking aspects are equally necessary to form a picture of Berlin. One will find: even determinants.