The Berlin Wall was a barrier that surrounded West Berlin, cutting through the middle of the city and separating it from East Berlin and the rest of East Germany. It was built on East German territory, just inside East Berlin, to encircle West Berlin and prevent people from escaping from East to West. The Wall extended about 155 kilometers (around 96 miles) around West Berlin, including concrete walls, fences, and a "death strip" between the barriers. It ran through the city center and marked the border between the Soviet- controlled East Berlin and the Western sectors of Berlin controlled by the US, UK, and France. The Wall stood from August 13, 1961, until November 9, 1989
. Notably, it was mostly located just inside East Berlin's boundaries, ensuring it did not encroach on West Berlin territory. In some places, such as near Potsdamer Platz, the Wall was set further inside East Berlin. The Wall's course divided neighborhoods and families, with sections still preserved today as memorials and historical sites in Berlin
. In summary, the Berlin Wall physically encircled West Berlin within the city of Berlin, separating it from East Berlin and East Germany during the Cold War era.
