Munich , German München, City (pop., 2007 est.: city, 1,311,573; 2005 est.: metro. area, 1,940,477), capital of Bavaria, Germany. Located along the Isar River, it was founded in 1158 at the site of an ancient monastery. It became the capital of Bavaria under the ruling Wittelsbach family. The city developed as a centre of music and theatre through the 19th century. After World War I it became a centre of right-wing political ferment; it was the site of the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, Adolf Hitler’s attempted rising against the Bavarian government, and subsequent Nazi Party activities. It was the site for the signing of the 1938 Munich Agreement. In World War II it suffered heavily from Allied bombing. Some medieval structures survived, including the cathedral and town hall. Today Munich is a trade, cultural, educational, and industrial centre known for its many museums and for manufacturing and beer and ale brewing.
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