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 camp of its kind, where over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, were murdered between 1940 and 1945. The camp consisted of several facilities, including a gas chamber and barracks for prisoners. The camp was liberated by Soviet forces in January 1945, revealing the horrific conditions and the scale of the atrocities committed there. Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau serves as a memorial and museum, educating visitors about the Holocaust and the importance of remembering history to prevent future atrocities.