Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, is a city rich with history and culture. Nestled in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bonn's roots can be traced back to Roman times. It later became the capital of the Electorate of Cologne, a sovereign state until the late 18th century. The city's significance continued through the 20th century as it served as the provisional capital of West Germany from 1949 until the government's move to Berlin in 1999. Today, Bonn is known for being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven and houses numerous federal institutions, maintaining its status as a center of political importance.