2^ndAnnual Congress on Soil and Water Sciences October 22-23, 2018 Berlin, Germany

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic in western-central Europe. Its capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany’s achievements in the sciences have been significant, and research and development efforts form an integral part of the economy. With its central position in Europe, Germany is a transport hub for the continent. Germany is the seventh most visited country in the world, with a total of 407.26Million overnights during 2012. Berlin has become the third most visited city destination in Europe. Berlin, Germany’s capital and cultural center, dates to the 13th century. Divided during the Cold War.

Today it’s known for its art scene, nightlife and modern architecture, such as Mies van der Rohe’s landmark Neue Nationalgalerie. The Berlin-Brandenburg capital region is one of the most prolific centers of higher education and research in Germany and Europe. Historically, 40 Nobel Prize winners are affiliated with the Berlin based universities. As of 2011 Berlin is home to 138 museums and more than 400 art galleries. The ensemble on the Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is situated in the northern part of the Spree Island between the Spree and the Kupfergraben. Berlin’s nightlife is one of the most diverse and vibrant of its kind in Europe. Berlin is one of the centers of knowledge and innovation communities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Berlin has been one of the three city states in Germany among the present 16 states of Germany. The city and state parliament is the House of Representatives, which currently has 141 seats. Berlin’s executive body is the Senate of Berlin (Senate von Berlin). The Governing Mayor is simultaneously Lord Mayor of the city (Oberbürgermeisterder Stadt) and Prime Minister of the Federal State. At present Berlin consists of 96 localities, which are commonly made up of several city neighborhoods— called Kiez in the Berlin dialect— representing small residential areas