Berlin, Germany:

During the Nazi control of Germany, Berlin was stripped of much of its traditionally rich cultural elements. Hitler tried to introduce an ambitious building program to raise Berlin to the status of the greatest capital in the world. However, this program was never carried through. During World War II, much of Berlin was destroyed by air raid, bombardment, and fighting in the streets. Thousands of buildings were obliterated, and the population of the city dropped from 4.4 million to 2.8 million. Following the war, Berlin was divided into four occupation zones under the control of the U.S., Great Britain, the USSR, and France, even though it was technically in the Soviet-controlled portion of the country. The Soviets tried to force the other countries out of Berlin by blockading the land routes within their territory. However, the U.S. and Great Britain collaborated to carry out the Berlin Airlift, which flew supplies to Berlin daily. Finally, the Soviets built a wall around West Berlin (the capitalist-controlled portion) so that no East Germans could escape to West German land.

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