munich

Munich, the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria, lies on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. With about 1.5 million residents in the city and roughly 6 million in the metropolitan area, it is Germany’s third-largest city by population. The city is a major cultural, economic, and educational center, and a gateway to southern Germany.

Founded in the 12th century, Munich grew as a trading stop on routes to Italy and obtained city rights in the medieval period. Its name is linked to monastic settlements in the area, and it developed into the seat of Bavarian rulers. In 1806 it became the capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria and has remained the capital of Bavaria through the modern state.

Munich is known for its museums, galleries, theaters, and orchestras, and for annual events such as Oktoberfest, which began in 1810. Major landmarks include Marienplatz with the Neues Rathaus and its Glockenspiel, the Frauenkirche, the Viktualienmarkt, and the Nymphenburg Palace. The city hosts the Bavarian Parliament and several universities, notably Ludwig Maximilian University and the Technical University of Munich, along with numerous research institutes.

The economy is diversified, with strengths in automotive, technology, finance, media, and publishing. The headquarters of BMW are in Munich, and the city is a leading center for information technology and biotechnology. Munich is served by Munich Airport and an extensive public transport system, including S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines, and is connected by high-speed rail to other parts of Europe. The climate is temperate, with dry, warm summers and cold winters.