The third largest City in Germany, Munich is the capital city of Bavaria. It is located on the River Isar. The population has doubled about every 30 years since the 1700's and currently has over 1.3 million inhabitants, within the City bounds. The name Munich comes from an old word meaning "monk," a direct reference to the Benedictine monks who inhabited the region in 1158.

Munich is 520 feet above sea level,  higher than other German cities. As a result of its proximity to the Alps, the city receives a high amount of rain and significant snowfall during winter. Temperatures in winter easily reach the freezing point, while summers are cool and airy, rarely exceeding 70F degrees.

Today, the flourishing Bavarian Capital, is known worldwide for its dining, culture and entertainment. A cosmopolitan city with a thriving economy, Munich is home to major corporations with BMW headquarters located there. It is best known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration, a 16-day festival attracting some six million people. 

Along with Frankfurt,Munich is a leading financial center. Top City for insurance with such leading insurers such as Allianz. Some two-hundred-eighty insur-ance companies are active in Munich. Munich is also the second most important banking center in Germany. There are over one-hundred-seventy banks in Munich providing over thirty-two-thousand jobs.

Munich is a soccer capital, with three clubs playing in the Bundesliga, the German equivalent of the English Premier League. Munich has also hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics and was one of the host cities for the 2006 Football World Cup held in the Allianz Arena 

Munich is a very culturally apt city, with its orchestras, ensembles, opera houses and theatre. All the major music artists will pass through Munich on their European tours. The City has been host to many prominent composers such as W.A. Mozart and Richard Wagner