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The towers of the Frauenkirche rise above Munich
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"A village of millions"
Next to Berlin, Munich is among the most popular German cities. But except for their popularity, the two couldn't be more different. Berlin is large, wild, chaotic and loud, yet it's also innovative and inspirational, a metropolis in tune with the modern 'zeitgeist'. Munich, on the other hand, is the exact opposite: smaller and quainter, more refined and accomplished, but also conservative and sedate-a village of millions as some people call it somewhat disrespectfully.
Bavaria and Beer
But that village-like character has its advantages. Munich has everything that makes modern cities pleasant: a center with numerous public squares and beautiful baroque, gothic and neo-classical buildings and an array of museums, theatres, concert halls as well as elegant shopping districts. And there's also the hip student and night life district, Schwabing with its street cafes, bars, book stores and copy shops. And Munich is green. The city has numerous parks such as the famous English Garden or the meadows along the banks of the Isar River. Not to mention the more than 80 Beer gardens in Munich, where natives spend many a summer night drinking a liter or two of fine Bavarian beer.
Cars and Technology
Munich is much more than "just" a wonderful tourist destination, however. The Bavarian capital and its 1.3 million inhabitants form a modern, booming economic powerhouse. Bavarian carmaker BMW, electronics giant Siemens and Daimler-Chrysler aerospace subsidiary DASA all have their headquarters in Munich. The state government has stepped up efforts to attract high-tech firms and research projects to the city, especially in the areas of biotechnology and IT.
Study and Research
Last but not least: Munich is an important center of higher education. About 100,000 students are enrolled in the city's ten universities. Famous research societies such as the Max Planck Society and the Fraunhofer Society have their main offices in Munich.
During the Second World War, two Munich students became famous for their efforts to organize a resistance group against Hitler. Their example shows that not all Germans silently accepted the Nazis. Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans headed the "Weiße Rose" resistance movement against Hitler. Tragically, the regime got wind of their opposition group, jailed its members and executed Hans and Sophie in 1943.
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Jorge Galindo from Mexico is doing his PhD in Munich thanks to a DAAD scholarship
A report from 'Campus Global' on DW-RADIO (German)
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