ABSTRACT
West Germany is a federal country with federal government (Bund), 11 state governments (Länder), three of which are city-states (Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen), increased to 16 Lander with unification in 1990, and a wide range of a local governments. The smallest local unit is the Gemeinde which is often roughly equivalent in size to an English parish. The cities have the status of Gemeinde but also have a special political status in the administrative system. Many have to share responsibility with the higher level local authorities of the counties (Kreise). Over 80 cities have a special status of city counties (Kreisfreie Städte).
