Germany

Overview

The Federal Republic of Germany is a country located in Central and Western Europe. Germany is the largest economy in Europe. A large portion of the country is covered by forests and rivers.

Germany recorded a population of 83.02 million in 2019 and covers an area of 357,386 km2.

The capital city is Berlin. The city is known for its Wall remains Brandenburg Gate and the gold-coloured Berliner Philharmonie.

Other major cities in Germany are Hamburg, Munich, Potsdam, Cologne, Kiel, Dresden and Bremen.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin.

History

The country was united by Otto Von Bismarck in 1871. It became a republic after its defeat in World War I. Adolf Hitler who headed the Nazi Party became the chancellor of the country in 1933.

West Germany joined NATO and East Germany joined Warsaw Pact in 1955. The two regions were reunited in 1990 by Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is based on the history of Europe but with influences from the secular and religious cultures.

The country’s main crops are sugar beets, cereals, rye, fodder crops and potatoes. Common dishes include bratwurst, maultaschen, labskaus, currywurst and black sausage.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals include European pine marten, European wildcat, wild boar, European badger, bi-coloured shrew, red fox and chamois.

Festivals & events

The major festivals include Oktoberfest in Munich, Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Berlinale Film Festival and Weihnachtsmarkt Festival.

Things to see

Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical memorial in Berlin built during the 18th century by Frederick William a Prussian King.

There is the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin that was built by Peter Eisenman in commemoration to the Jewish victims during the Holocaust.

There is the Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic, a large theatre with one of the most famous orchestras in the world.

Also, there is the Neuschwanstein Castle that was built in the 19th century on a rocky hill in Hohenschwangau.

There are numerous tourist attractions sites in the different cities like Berlin museum Island, the black forest and Rhine valley.

Heidleberg Castle, Heidleberg.

Interesting facts

Germany is the most populated and industrialized country in Europe.

It is also the leading manufacturer and exporter of vehicles, machinery and electronics in the world.

The University fee in Germany is free even to the non-Germans.

The predominant population adheres to Christianity.

Germany

At a glance

Before you go