Berlin 1 (German)n the capital of Germany (1871-1945 and from 1990), formerly divided (1945-90) into the eastern sector, capital of East Germany, and the western sectors, which formed an exclave in East German territory closely affiliated with West Germany: a wall dividing the sectors was built in 1961 by the East German authorities to stop the flow of refugees from east to west; demolition of the wall began in 1989 and the city was formally reunited in 1990: formerly (1618-1871) the capital of Brandenburg and Prussia. Pop.: 3471418 (199 6est.)♦Berliner n.