YorickJenkins Apr 13, 2015:

Einheitsbezirk It is true that "borough" is also used in the USA too, but the word in my opinion is closely associated with the culture and administration of English speaking countries. ( In the same way I would be unhappy with for example "Kneipe" being translated as "pub" or Imbiß as "speakeasy" .) I see no advantage at all in using the word "borough"instead of "district" and do not see how the word underlines the notion of German (re) unification which may underline the choice of the word "Einheitsbezirk" in the first place, and "Einheitsbezirk" is a word which can be used in a number of different situations I think, although it may well be the case that here there is a nod in the direction of "deutsche Einheit".

Dennis Boyd Apr 13, 2015:

Both of the boroughs/districts mentioned were fused together in 2001 and are comprised of formerly East and West boroughs/districts. Calling them Einheitsbezirke seems to refer to their East/West past.

Paul Skidmore Apr 13, 2015:

Probably a special Berlin feature I would agree with your assumption that an "Einheitsbezirk" results from the merger of previous boroughs. However in the context of this text it may mean more and emphasise the German unity aspect.

Both these new districts "Mitte" and "Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg" were formed (as dboyd points out) from merger *involving former boroughs of both East Berlin and West Berlin*. Bringing together boroughs from the old East and West may have had an effect on the average income per head. This may have influenced your author's thinking.

Janet Muehlbacher (asker) Apr 13, 2015:

thanks to all for replying I have a question: is an Einheitsbezirk a merger of two or more existing districts?