Berlin Wall
Heavily fortified and defended wall, more than 150km (100mi) long, that surrounded West Berlin. About 45km (28mi) of it ran between East and West Berlin. It was built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent refugees fleeing to West Germany. A few thousand people succeeded in crossing the wall; 193 were killed in the attempt. It was dismantled in 1989 after the collapse of East Germany's communist regime