Berlin is the capital of Germany and with 3.5 million inhabitants its largest city. Berlin is located in the northeast of Germany, about 80km west of the border to Poland in a plain area with many lakes and waterways. The city dares back to the 13th century and became the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1417, of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701 and of the German Empire in 1871. Following the reunification of German Berlin became the capital of Germany in 1990. Although almost completely destroyed during World War II, due to post-war reconstruction efforts Berlin harbours a number of significant historical sights and attracts a large number of tourists every year.