More information about: The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a guarded concrete barrier that
physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. Constructed by the
German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany), starting on 13 August 1961,
the Wall completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany
and from East Berlin until government officials opened it in November 1989. Its
demolition officially began on 13 June 1990 and was completed in 1992. The
barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which
circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-
vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that
the Wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to
prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In
practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that
had marked East Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-
World War II period.

The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the "Anti-Fascist Protective Wall"
(German: Antifaschistischer Schutzwall) by GDR authorities, implying that the
NATO countries and West Germany in particular were considered equal to
"fascists" by GDR propaganda. The West Berlin city government sometimes
referred to it as the "Wall of Shame"a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt
while condemning the Wall's restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the
separate and much longer Inner German border (IGB), which demarcated the
border between East and West Germany, it came to symbolize a physical marker
of the "Iron Curtain" that separated Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc during
the Cold War.

Before the Wall's erection, 3.5 million East Germans circumvented Eastern Bloc
emigration restrictions and defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the
border from East Berlin into West Berlin; from which they could then travel to
West Germany and other Western European countries. Between 1961 and 1989,
the Wall prevented almost all such emigration. During this period, around 5,000
people attempted to escape over the Wall, with an estimated death toll ranging
from 136 to more than 200 in and around Berlin.

In 1989, a series of radical political changes occurred in the Eastern Bloc,

associated with the liberalization of the Eastern Bloc's authoritarian systems and
the erosion of political power in the pro-Soviet governments in nearby Poland
and Hungary. After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government
announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany
and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the Wall,
joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere. Over the
next few weeks, euphoric people and souvenir hunters chipped away parts of the
Wall; the governments later used industrial equipment to remove most of what
was left. Contrary to popular belief the Wall's actual demolition did not begin
until the summer of 1990 and was not completed until 1992. The fall of the Berlin
Wall paved the way for German reunification, which was formally concluded on 3
October 1990.

The Most Famous Tourist Spot in Southeast

Sulawesi Wakatobi National Park
Indonesia has roughly 50 national parks. One of them is located in Southeast Sulawesi
Province. The name is Wakatobi National Park. As the name suggests, it belongs to
Wakatobi District. The size is about 1.39 million ha. It is vast and beautiful. Not to
mention it becomes the home of numerous nautical creatures and reefs. When it comes
to the depth of the sea, it varies. The deepest one reaches up to 1,044 meters. On top of
that, tourists can do many things here.
The Nuance
The best feature of Wakatobi National Park is the underwater scenery. There are about
25 formations of corals. You can explore them all with passion. In fact, more than a
hundred of types of corals live there. They are located in different spots across the
shorelines. Next, there are fishes. The most famous one is Napoleon Fish. Still, you can
find more than 90 types of fish in this tourist spot. The best things to do are swimming,
snorkeling, and diving. Not to mention you can learn the local culture.
Exploring Wakatobi National Park
Both locals and foreigners are familiar with Wakatobi National Park. In terms of beauty, it
is as beautiful as Bunaken and Raja Ampat. That means it becomes a worthy vacation
spot to explore. The most famous activity to do is definitely diving. You can explore
numerous nautical attractions including fishes, corals, and much more. If you are not into
diving, you can enjoy either swimming or snorkeling. Have no worries. The seawater is
calm and safe. Even beginners can enjoy it well.
Apart from fishes and corals, there are other creatures living in Wakatobi National Park.
For example, there are some famous species of birds like Kingfisher Eurasia and Cerek
Melayu. Also, there is a chance to see different types of turtles. All of them are beautiful!
Whats next? There is a special creature called sperm whale. Many of them are often
seen in the park. Usually, they appear in November. With all these creatures,
photographers can take stunning pictures of them. Are you also interested?
The next thing to do is to learn the history of Wakatobi National Park. A tour guide may
tell you the story. It is said the park was naturally formed in the Tertiary Era. In terms of
location, the park is situated in the Coral Tri-Angle. No wonder, it features tons of corals
with different types. Whats next? Apart from the beauty of the underwater sea, tourists
can also visit nearby tourist spots especially Hoga Island.
Nearby Attractions
Kambode Island
Komponaone Island

Hoga Island
How to Get There
First things come first. From Kendari, take a local transportation service to Wakatobi
District. There are different ways to reach the location, actually. First, you can take
advantage of the sea. That means you need to reach several checkpoints such as Bau-
Bau and Wangi-Wangi. From there, take a speedboat to Wakatobi. Another option is by
air. It is suitable for those who come from other provinces. In this case, Haluoleo Airport
is your destination.