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Germany is one of the major
industrial and economic powers in Europe.
Population:
81 million people
Geographic size: 138,000 square miles
Capital: Berlin
Major cities and population: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg,
Bremen, Hanover, Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Stuttgart and
Dusseldorf |
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At the southern end of
Germany are the Alps, the highest mountain range in
Europe. In central Germany are the Harz mountains. |
Germany also has many
rolling plains which make good farm land. |
 The Rhine River, in the
western part of Germany, is a main waterway for
transporting goods from northern ports. |
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 Germany has many small towns
that still maintain their traditional culture and
architecture. Many of these towns, and their buildings,
date back hundreds of years. |
 Germany is well known for
its precision workmanship. This is demonstrated in many
ways, from its local architecture to the products and
crafts available in local shops. |
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Germany is a
major industrial center in Europe. It is well known for
its automobile manufacturing including the luxury
Mercedes, the sporty Porsche and BMW, and Volkswagon.
Germany also manufactures other machinery, electronics
equipment, transportation equipment and chemicals.
Germany
also has considerable farming including grain crops and
grapes, along with pig and cattle ranching. Germany is
well known for its wine production. |
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| Germany is probably most remembered
for Adolf Hitler's activities leading to World War II, and
the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
At the end of World War II, Germany was
divided into East Germany and West Germany. East Germany
maintained a communist government, while West Germany was
a capitalist society. In 1990, the Berlin Wall was torn
down, reuniting the country.
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 Almost 80% of the German
people live in cities or towns. The most heavily
populated areas are in the west and central Germany,
particularly along the Rhine River.
Germany is divided
into 16 states, each state has its own German dialect,
customs, traditions and architecture. |
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| Germany has a
moderate climate. Winter temperatures vary from west to
east, with about freezing temperatures in the west and
well below freezing in eastern Germany. Summer
temperatures are typically in the 70's to low 80's, with
more rainfall during the summer. |
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