Germany, Potsdam

Potsdam is the capital city of the federal state of Brandenburg in Germany. It is situated on the Havel River, southwest of Berlin. It is a part of the Metropolitan area Berlin/Brandenburg.

Potsdam is known as the former residence of the Prussian kings until 1918. The city features a series of interconnected lakes and unique cultural landscapes, in particular the parks and palaces of Sanssouci, the largest World Heritage Sites in Germany.

The city developed into a center of science in Germany beginning in the 19th century. Today there are 3 public colleges and more than 30 research-institutes in Potsdam.

Geography

Potsdam is situated south-west of Berlin. The area was formed from a series of large moraines during the last ice age. Today the city consists of 75% green area, with just 25% covered with buildings or streets.

Potsdam is divided into 7 historic city districts and 9 new Ortsteile (village parts), which joined the city in 2003. The appearance of the city districts is quite different.

History

Potsdam was probably founded in the 7th century as a Slavic village called Poztupimi, centred on a castle. A possible translation of the name might be beneath the oaks. It was first mentioned in writing in 993, and by 1317 it was mentioned as a small town, by now German, which gained its town charter in 1345.

Education

Potsdam is a university town. The University of Potsdam was founded in 1991 as a university of the State of Brandenburg. Its predecessor was the Akademie für Staats- und Rechtswissenschaften der DDR "Walter Ulbricht", a college of education founded in 1948 which was one of the GDR's most important colleges.