The metro area of Munich, Germany, is home to nearly 1.5 million people. The city's population is growing steadily, from under half a million residents in 1900 to over one million people in 1960. The city's population density is similar to that of Manhattan Island, at 310.4 people per square kilometer. In the past, the city's population has tended to be more concentrated near the center, but that trend is slowly coming to an end.
Ludwig IV, the first Wittelsbach line emperor, expanded the city to its present size in the early 14th century. Ludwig was the first Holy Roman emperor to come from the Wittelsbach line. The emperor was a powerful ruler who helped the city grow until the Thirty Years' War. The city's population increased, and the Bavarian parliament moved to the Maximilianum.
The old town of Munich is concentrated around the Marienplatz. The city lost most of its ancient character during World War II, but it has been rebuilt since then. There are several medieval buildings still standing in the city, including the Frauenkirche, the largest renaissance church north of the Alps. The Old Town Hall is a 1470-80 structure that contains the city's treasury and the Cuvillies theatre. The former arsenal is now a municipal museum.
There are three ring-roads around Munich. The main autobahn is the A 99, the Mittlerer Ring (B 2R) urban expressway, and the Altstadtring. Traffic is heavy on these roads, especially during rush hours. Also, the city is a commuter city, and access roads are usually clogged with cars during rush hours. You should plan your route ahead of time to avoid traffic jams.