Dresden is the capital of the federal state of Saxony, Germany, known for its rich history and architecture. Situated on the Elbe River, the city is famous by its nickname 'Elbflorenz' or 'Florence of the Elbe', reflecting its beauty and historic role as a center of the arts. Dresden has been rebuilt after the devastating bombings of World War II and today is home to more than 40 museums and 13,000 cultural monuments. The city is an important economic, political and academic center, standing out in cutting-edge technologies such as nanoelectronics and information. Its population exceeds 550,000 inhabitants, and its metropolitan area reaches more than one and a half million people. Dresden is famous for its iconic buildings such as the Frauenkirche, the Semperoper and the Zwinger Palace.