Munich is the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria. It is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is the third largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg. About 1.5 million people live within the city limits.
The city's native name, München, is derived from the combined Late Latin and Old High German term ad Munichen, meaning "by the monks(' place)". It derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who ran a monastery at the place that was later to become the Old Town of Munich; hence the monk depicted on the city´s coat of arms. Munich was first mentioned in 1158. From 1255 the city was seat of the Bavarian Dukes. Black and gold — the colours of the Holly Roman Empire — have been the city's official colours since the time of Ludwig the Bavarian, when it was an imperial residence. Following a final reunification of the Wittelsbachian Duchy of Bavaria, previously multiply divided and sub-divided for more than 200 years, the town became the country's sole capital in 1506. Catholic Munich was one cultural stronghold of Counter-Reformation and a political point of divergence during the resulting Thirty Year´s War, but remained physically untouched despite an occupation by the Protestant Swedes, the townsfolk would rather open the gates of their beautiful town than risk siege and almost inevitable destruction. Like wide parts of the Holly Roman Empire the place only slowly recovered economically. In the meantime having turned from a duchy's capital into that of an electorate (1623) and later even a sovereign kingdom's (1806), Munich was a stronghold of arts, culture and science latest since the 19th century. The city became the Nazi movement's infamous Hauptstadt der Bewegung (lit.: "capital of the movement") and after its post-war reconstruction was the host city of the 1972 Sumer Olympics.
Modern Munich is home to many national and international authorities and major universities, major museums and theaters. Its numerous architectural attractions, international sports events, exhibitions and conferences and the Munich Oktoberfest combine to attract considerable tourism. Since 2006, the city's motto has been "München mag dich" ("Munich loves you"). Munich is a traffic hub with excellent international, national and local connections, running a fast and reliable public transportation system. It is a centre of finance, publishing and advanced technologies. Munich is one of the economically most successful and fastest growing cities in Germany and the seat of numerous corporations and insurance companies, as well as a frequently top-ranked destination for migration and expatriate location in livability rankings. Munich achieved 4th place in frequently quoted Mercer livability rankings in 2011 and 2012. For economic and social innovation, the city was ranked 15th globally out of 289 cities in 2010, and 5th in Germany by the 2th in know Innovation Cities Index based on analysis of 162 indicators. In 2013, Monocle ranked Munich as the world´s most livable city with the highest quality of life.
The city of Munich is classified in the Köppen classification as Cfb / Dfb (Oceanic / Humid continental climate. It is almost directly on the edge of two classifications, however, with the Dfb (Humid Continental Warm Summer Subtype) climate zone just to the east of the city.
The warmest month of the year, on average, is July. The coolest month of the year, on average, is January.
Showers and thunderstorms bring the highest average monthly precipitation totals in late spring and throughout the summer. June, on average, records the most precipitation of any month. The winter months tend to bring lower precipitation, on average, and February averages the least amount of monthly precipitation for the year.
The higher elevation of Munich and the proximity of the Alps play a significant role on the climate, causing the city to have more rain and snow than many other parts of Germany. The Alps affect the city's climate in other ways, as well, including a warm downhill wind from the Alps (föhn wind), which can raise temperatures sharply within a few hours, even in the winter.
The location of Munich at the center of Europe dictates that many climatic factors impact the city, making for fluctuating weather conditions more often than in other locations on the continent, particularly compared with areas further west and those south of the Alps.
At Munich's official weather station, the highest and lowest temperatures ever measured are 37.1 C˚, on 13 August 2003, and -30.5 C˚, on 21 January 1942.
The city is a mix of historic buildings and modern architecture, Munich having reconstructed the ruins of their historic buildings while creating new landmarks of architecture. A survey, conducted by the Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations for the National Geographic Traveler chose over 100 historic places around the world and ranked Munich as the 30th best destination.
At the centre of the city is the Marienplatz—a large open square named after the Mariensäule, a Marian column in its centre—with the Old and the New Town Hall. Its tower contains the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. Three gates of the demolished medieval fortification have survived to this day—the Isartor in the east, the Sendlinger Tor in the south and the Karistor in the west of the inner city. The Karlstor leads up to the Stachus, a grand square dominated by the Justizpalast (Palace of Justice) and a fountain.
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