Berlin is the capital city of Germany (since 1871 and was 1701-1945 the capital city of Prussia. During 1948-1990 East Berlin was capital of GDR while Bonn was capital in West Germany) and one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.5 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city and is the second most populous city proper and the eighth most populous urban area in the European Union.