Auschwitz-Birkenau was a complex of concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany during World War II. Located in occupied Poland, it became the largest site of the Holocaust, where over a million people, primarily Jews, were systematically murdered. The camp consisted of three main parts: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II (Birkenau), and Auschwitz III (Monowitz), each serving different functions. The camp was established in 1940 and expanded over the years to accommodate the growing number of prisoners. In addition to mass killings, inmates faced forced labor, starvation, and inhumane living conditions. Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau serves as a memorial and museum, educating visitors about the atrocities committed there.