Founded in 1964 as the German Overseas Institute and the umbrella organisation for the Institute of Asian Affairs, the German Orient Institute, the Institute of Latin American Affairs, and the Institute of African Affairs "The GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies is an independent social science research institute based in Hamburg. It studies the four regions Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as global issues. It is a member of the Leibniz Association. The GIGA operates the largest non-university information centre for area and comparative area studies in Germany. On the basis of its research it advises decision makers in politics, business and civil society. It has a presence in Berlin through its office there."