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FAST FACTS
With the flags motto of unity and justice and freedom, Germany is an eighty million strong nation. An ever growing GDP and a rising value of the euro, Germany harbors some of the finest industries and workers of the world. The capital city of Berlin is the largest city of Germany.
Economy
Germany is the biggest economy in Europe and the third largest in the world, only after the United States and Japan. The export operations are the major revenue generator of Germany. Germany is the world's top exporter with $1.133 trillion exported, from the beginning of 2006. The aftermath of the reunification hasn't really faded away, with West Germany leading the way in most of the sectors. New government policies have emphasized on renewable sources of energy, bio mass, hydro and geothermal energy. Germany is slowly growing into a very balanced economy.
Population
The population of Germany according to the latest census is estimates to be around 82.4 million, spread out in an area of 357 thousand square kilo meters. Though the population is vast, the standard of living is quite high, especially in the west considering the impact of the reunification of 1990.
History
Germany, as a state that we know now was unified in 1871, when the German empire was forged, with the kingdom of Prussia as its largest continent. The empire was a unification of all the scattered parts of Germany except Austria, beginning in 1884, Germany started establishing colonies outside Europe. Germany's imperialism reached outside of its own country and joined many other powers in Europe to claim their share of Africa.
The world wars had a major impact on Germany and for many set its future as a nation that harbored the Nazi party and its cruel perpetration on human life after the Second World War. The war resulted in death of millions of people across the country and eventually led to the division of Germany into the eastern and western fragments each with their own government policies and rules with varying economic and political practices. The contemporary world has witnessed the reunification of the west and the East Germany and the rebirth of a nation torn down with strife and separation. Germany is now a vast power growing consciously amidst the countries of the world.
Geography
Germany has the second largest population in Europe (after European Russia) and is seventh largest in area. Most of Germany has a cool, temperate climate in which humid westerly winds predominate. The climate is moderated by the north Atlantic drift, and extension of the Gulf Stream. Winters are mild and summers tend to be cool, though temperatures can exceed 30 C for prolonged periods. In the east, the climate is more continental; winters can be very cold, summers can be very warm, and long dry periods are often recorded. Central and southern Germany are transition regions which vary from moderately oceanic to continental. Again, the maximum temperature can exceed 30 C in summer.
Food habits
German Cuisine varies greatly from region to region. Traditionally, the main meal of the day has been lunch (Mittagessen), eaten around noon. Dinner (Abendessen or Abendbrot) was always a smaller meal, sometimes consisting only of sandwiches. However, in Germany, as in other parts of Europe, dining habits have changed quite radically over the last 50 years. Today, many people eat only a small meal in the middle of the working day at work and enjoy a hot dinner in the evening at home with the whole family. Breakfast is still very popular and may be elaborated and extended on weekends, with friends invited as guests.
Meat, fish, vegetables, foreign dishes from the Italian to the Indian, exquisite drinks and spices and desserts; Germany is rich in its dietary habits.
Culture and tradition
Germany is often called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the land of poets and thinkers). German culture began long before the rise of Germany as a nation state and spanned the entire German-speaking world. From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Be it philosophy, cinema, music or any form of the arts, the Germans have never left a stone unturned and have constantly made a mark on the world scenario.
Sport forms an integral part of German life, as demonstrated by the fact that twenty-seven million Germans are members of a sports club and an additional twelve million pursue such an activity individually. The land has seen the likes of Michael Schumacher, Bismarck, Einstein and others who have excelled in their area of expertise and have left an indelible impression in the minds the general audience.
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