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Revision as of 18:06, 16 September 2009 view sourceÎle flottante (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers4,986 edits rvt 75.151.57.114 (talk) Not sure whether it's vandalism, but I've reverted because no sources cited.← Previous edit Revision as of 18:37, 16 September 2009 view source 204.13.205.98 (talk) ←Replaced content with 'Germany is full of stupid people. The end.'Tag: blankingNext edit →
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Germany is full of stupid people.
{{dablink|This article is about the country. For other uses of terms redirecting here, see ] and ].}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">{{lang|de|''Bundesrepublik Deutschland''}} {{de icon}}</span>
|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Federal Republic of Germany</span>
|common_name = Germany
|national_motto = ''Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit'' <br /> “Unity and Justice and Freedom”
|national_anthem = <br /><small>third stanza of</small><br>{{lang|de|'']''}}<br /><small>(also called {{lang|de|"''Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit''"}})
|image_flag = Flag of Germany.svg
|image_coat = Coat of Arms of Germany.svg
|image_map = Location Germany EU Europe.png
|map_caption = {{map_caption |location_color=dark green |region=] |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the ] |subregion_color=light green |legend=Location Germany EU Europe.png}}
|official_languages = ]{{ref|1}}
|demonym = German
|ethnic_groups = 91.5% ], 2.4% ], 6.1% other<ref name="CIA">{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html| title = CIA Factbook | accessdate = 2009-08-02| author = CIA | authorlink = Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref>
|capital = ]
|latd=52 |latm=31 |latNS=N |longd=13 |longm=23 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = ] ]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = ] (])
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ] (])
|sovereignty_type = ]
|sovereignty_note =
|established_event1 = ]
|established_date1 = 962
|established_event2 = ]
|established_date2 = 18 January 1871
|established_event3 = ]
|established_date3 = 23 May 1949
|established_event4 = ]
|established_date4 = 3 October 1990
|accessionEUdate = 25 March 1957
|EUseats = 99
|area_km2 = 357,021
|area_sq_mi = 137,847 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|area_rank = 63rd
|area_magnitude = 1 E11
|percent_water = 2.416
|population_estimate = 82,060,000<ref>{{de icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/Internet/DE/Presse/pm/2009/01/PD09__005__12411,templateId=renderPrint.psml |title=Weitere Bevölkerungsabnahme für 2008 erwartet|author=] |accessdate=2009-01-12}}</ref>
|population_estimate_year = December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;2008
|population_estimate_rank = 14th
|population_density_km2 = 230
|population_density_sq_mi = 596 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 36th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2008
|GDP_PPP = $2.910 trillion<ref name=IMF>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=134&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=70&pr.y=3 |title=Germany|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=2009-04-22}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank = 5th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $35,442<ref name=IMF/>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 21st
|GDP_nominal = $3,667 trillion<ref name=IMF/>
|GDP_nominal_rank = 4th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2008
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $44,660<ref name=IMF/>
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 19th
|HDI_year = 2006
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.940<ref>. The United Nations. Retrieved 21 July 2009.</ref>
|HDI_rank = 23rd
|HDI_category = <span style="color:#090;">high</span>
|Gini = 28.3
|Gini_year = 2000
|Gini_category = <span style="color:#090;">low</span>
|currency = ] (])
|currency_code = EUR
|time_zone = CET
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = CEST
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|cctld = ]
|calling_code = 49
|ISO_3166-1_alpha2 = DE
|ISO_3166-1_alpha3 = DEU
|ISO_3166-1_numeric = ?
|alt_sport_code = GER
|vehicle_code = D
|aircraft_code = D
|footnote1 = {{note|1}} ], ], ], ] and ] are officially recognised and protected by the ].
}}
'''Germany''' ({{pron-en|ˈdʒɜrməni|En-uk-Germany.ogg}}), officially the '''Federal Republic of Germany''' ({{lang-de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}, {{IPA-de|ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant|pron|De-Bundesrepublik_Deutschland.ogg}}),<ref name="Duden6">{{cite book | editor = Max Mangold (ed.) | title = Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch (Duden Pronunciation Dictionary) | edition = 6th| year = 1995 | publisher = Dudenverlag (Bibliographisches Institut & F.A. Brockhaus AG | location = Mannheim | language = German | isbn = 3-411-04066-1 | pages = 271, 53f }}</ref> is a ] in ]. It is bordered to the north by the ], ], and the ]; to the east by ] and the ]; to the south by ] and ]; and to the west by ], ], ], and the ]. The territory of Germany covers 357,021 square kilometers (137,847 sq mi) and is influenced by a ].
With 82 million inhabitants, it accounts for the largest population among the member states of the ] and is home to the ] worldwide.<ref></ref>


The end.
A region named ] inhabited by several ]s has been known and ] before AD 100. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the ] that lasted until 1806. During the 16th century, northern Germany became the centre of the ]. As a modern ], the country was first ] amidst the ] in 1871. In 1949, after ], Germany was divided into two separate states—] and ]—along the lines of Allied occupation.<ref>] (2 BvF 1/73; BVerfGE 36, 1): The ] as the German state is identically the very same to the ] ]) since 1871]. In 1949, at ] – West Germany division there was no foundation of a new West German state and no successor of the German Reich, instead of that a part of Germany was reorganised.</ref> The two states were ] in 1990. West Germany was a founding member of the European Community (]) in 1957, which became the European Union in 1993. It is part of the ] and adopted the European currency, the ], in 1999.

Germany is a ] ] of ] ({{lang|de|''Länder''}}). The capital and largest city is ]. Germany is a member of the ], ], ] and the ]. It is a ] with the world's ] by nominal ] and the ] in ]. It is the ] and ] of goods. In absolute terms, Germany allocates the second biggest annual budget of ] in the world,<ref> TopNews, India, Retrieved 2008, 04-10.</ref>
while its ].<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.sipri.org/contents/milap/milex/mex_major_spenders.pdf/download
|title = The fifteen major spenders in 2006| accessdate = 2007-08-23 | year = 2007| format = PDF | work = Recent trends in military expenditure | publisher = Stockholm International Peace Research Institute }}</ref> The country has developed a ] and established a comprehensive system of ]. It holds a key position in European affairs and maintains a multitude of close partnerships on a global level.<ref> International Herald Tribune. April 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008, 04-04.</ref> Germany is recognised as a scientific and technological leader in several fields.<ref> www.innovations-report.de. May 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008, 04-04.</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of Germany|Names of Germany}}

The English word "Germany" derives from ] name ]. The name "Germania" came into use after ] adopted it from a ] term for the peoples east of the ] that probably meant "neighbor".<ref>{{cite book |last=] |first=] |title=Germany: A New History |origyear=1998 |publisher=Harvard University Press |location=Cambridge, MA | pages=4 }}</ref><ref>, ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology''. Ed. T. F. Hoad. ]: ], ]. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed ], ].</ref>
===Germanic tribes===
{{main|Germanic peoples|Germania|List of country name etymologies}}
] 750 BC – AD 1.]]
The ] of the ] is assumed to have occurred during the ], or at the latest, during the ]. From southern ] and northern Germany, the tribes began expanding south, east and west in the 1st century&nbsp;BC, coming into contact with the ]ic tribes of ] as well as ], ], and ] tribes in ]. Little is known about early Germanic history, except through their recorded interactions with the ], etymological research and archaeological finds.<ref name="Claster">Jill N. Claster: ''Medieval Experience: 300–1400''. NYU Press 1982, p. 35. ISBN 0814713815.</ref>

Under ], the Roman General ] began to invade Germania (a term used by the Romans to define a territory running roughly from the ] to the ]), and it was in this period that the Germanic tribes became familiar with Roman tactics of warfare while maintaining their tribal identity. In AD&nbsp;9, three ]s led by Varus were defeated by the ] leader ] in the ]. Modern Germany, as far as the ] and the ], thus remained outside the Roman Empire. By AD&nbsp;100, the time of ]' '']'', Germanic tribes settled along the Rhine and the Danube (the ]) , occupying most of the area of modern Germany. The 3rd century saw the emergence of a number of large West Germanic tribes: ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Around 260, the Germanic peoples broke through the Limes and the Danube frontier into Roman-controlled lands.<ref name="Cambridge ancient history">The Cambridge Ancient History, vol. 12, p. 442. ISBN 0521301998.</ref>

===Holy Roman Empire (962&ndash;1806)===
{{main|Holy Roman Empire}}
{{See also|Medieval demography|Ostsiedlung}}
] of the ] (Created around AD 1000).]]

On 25 December 800, ] founded the ], which was ]. The medieval empire resulted from the ] of this division and existed in varying forms from 962 until 1806. Its territory stretched from the ] in the north to the ] coast in the south. Often referred to as the ] (or the Old Empire), it was officially called the ''Sacrum Romanum Imperium Nationis Germanicæ'' (Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) starting in 1448, to adjust the title to its then reduced territory.
], (1483–1546) initiated the ].]]

Under the reign of the ] emperors (919–1024), the ] of ], ], ], ], ], and ] were consolidated, and the German king was crowned ] of these regions in 962. Under the reign of the ] emperors (1024–1125), the Holy Roman Empire absorbed northern ] and ], although the emperors lost power through the ]. Under the ] emperors (1138–1254), the German princes increased their influence further south and east into territories inhabited by ], preceding ] in these areas and further east ''(])''. Northern German towns grew prosperous as members of the ]. Starting with the ] in 1315, then the ] of 1348–50, the population of Germany plummeted.<ref>. Lynn Harry Nelson. The University of Kansas.</ref>

The edict of the ] in 1356 provided the basic constitution of the empire that lasted until its dissolution. It codified the election of the emperor by seven ]s who ruled some of the most powerful principalities and archbishoprics. Beginning in the 15th century, the emperors were elected nearly exclusively from the ] dynasty of ].

The monk ] publicised his ] in 1517, challenging practices of the ], initiating the ]. A separate ] church became the official religion in many German states after 1530. Religious conflict led to the ] (1618–1648), which devastated German lands.<ref>, Gerhard Rempel, Western New England College.</ref> The population of the German states was reduced by about 30%.<ref>, Alan McFarlane, The Savage Wars of Peace: England, Japan and the Malthusian Trap (2003)</ref> The ] (1648) ended religious warfare among the German states, but the empire was ''de facto'' divided into numerous independent principalities. From 1740 onwards, the ] between the Austrian ] and the ] dominated German history. In 1806, the ''Imperium'' was overrun and dissolved as a result of the ].<ref name="concise h">Fulbrook, Mary: ''A Concise History of Germany'', Cambridge University Press 1991, p. 97. ISBN 0521540712</ref>

===Restoration and revolution (1814&ndash;1871)===
{{main|German Confederation}}
] in 1848.]]

Following the fall of ], the ] convened in 1814 and founded the ] (Deutscher Bund), a loose league of ]. Disagreement with ] politics partly led to the rise of ] movements, demanding unity and freedom. These, however, were followed by new measures of repression on the part of the Austrian statesman ]. The '']'', a tariff union, profoundly furthered economic unity in the German states. During this era many Germans had been stirred by the ideals of the ], and ] became a more significant force, especially among young intellectuals. For the first time, the colours of black, red and gold were chosen to represent the movement, which later became the ].<ref>Martin, Norman. Flags of the World. October 5, 2000. Retrieved 2006, 12-07.</ref>

In light of a ], which successfully established a republic ], intellectuals and commoners started the ]. The monarchs initially yielded to the revolutionaries' liberal demands. King ] was offered the title of ], but with a loss of power; he rejected the crown and the proposed constitution, leading to a temporary setback for the movement. Conflict between King ] of ] and the increasingly liberal parliament erupted over military reforms in 1862, and the king appointed ] the new ]. Bismarck successfully waged ] in 1864. Prussian victory in the ] of 1866 enabled him to create the ] (Norddeutscher Bund) and to exclude ], formerly the leading German state, from the affairs of the remaining German states.

===German Empire (1871&ndash;1918)===
{{main|German Empire|World War I}}
], ], 1871. ] is at the centre in a white uniform.]]

The state known as ''Germany'' was ] as a modern nation-state in 1871, when the ] was forged, with the ] as its largest constituent.
After the French defeat in the ], the German Empire was proclaimed in ] on 18 January 1871. The ] dynasty of Prussia ruled the new empire, whose capital was ]. The empire was a unification of all the scattered parts of Germany except Austria ({{lang|de|]}}, or "Lesser Germany"). Beginning in 1884, Germany began establishing ] outside of Europe.

In the {{lang|de|'']''}} period following the ], Emperor ] foreign policy secured Germany's position as a great nation by forging alliances, isolating ] by diplomatic means, and avoiding war. Under ], however, Germany, ], took an ] course leading to friction with neighbouring countries. Most alliances in which Germany had been previously involved were not renewed, and new alliances excluded the country. Specifically, France established new relationships by signing the ] with the ] and securing ties with the ]. Aside from its contacts with ], Germany became increasingly isolated.

] in blue.]]

Germany's imperialism reached outside of its own country and joined many other powers in Europe in claiming their share of ]. The ] divided Africa between the European powers. Germany owned several pieces of land in Africa including ], ], ], and ]. The ] caused tension between the ]s that may have contributed to the conditions that led to ].

The ] of ] on 28 June 1914 triggered ]. Germany, as part of the unsuccessful ], suffered defeat against the ] in ] conflicts of all time. An estimated two million German soldiers died in World War I.<ref>. Spiegel Online. January 22, 2008.</ref> The ] broke out in November 1918, and Emperor William II and all German ruling princes ]. An ] putting an end to the war was signed on 11 November and Germany was forced to sign the ] in June 1919. Its negotiation, contrary to traditional post-war diplomacy, excluded the defeated Central Powers. The treaty was perceived in Germany as a humiliating continuation of the war by other means and its harshness is often cited as having facilitated the later rise of ] in the country.<ref name="lee h">Stephen J. Lee: ''Europe, 1890–1945''. Routledge 2003, p. 131. ISBN 0415254558.</ref>

===Weimar Republic (1919&ndash;1933)===
{{main|Weimar Republic}}

] by ]. The Weimar era was dominated by political unrest.]]

At the beginning of the German Revolution, Germany was declared a ] and the monarchy collapsed. However, the struggle for power continued, with radical-left communists ], but failing to take control of all of Germany. The revolution came to an end in August 1919, when the ] was formally established. The ] came into effect with its signing by ] ] on 11 August 1919.
Suffering from the ], the harsh peace conditions dictated by the ], and a long succession of more or less unstable governments, the people of Germany increasingly lacked identification with their political system and the "Establishment Parties" in their ]. This was exacerbated by a widespread right-wing (], '']'', and Nazi) {{lang|de|'']''}}, which promoted the view that Germany had lost World War I because of the efforts and influence of those who wanted to overthrow the government. The top brass of the Weimar government was accused of betraying the German Nation by signing the Versailles Treaty, while the radical left-wing ], such as the ], had wanted a revolution to abolish "]" in favour of a {{lang|de|'']''}}, and were also targeted.

Nevertheless, discontentment with the new Weimar government helped fuel the growth of the ]. Many conservatives were drawn towards the reactionary/revolutionary right, particularly the National Socialist German Workers Party—the ]. By 1932, these two parties controlled the majority of parliament (296 total parliamentary seats by July 1932). After a series of unsuccessful cabinets, President ] made a crucial decision: on 30 January 1933, seeing little alternative and pushed by right-wing advisors, von Hindenburg appointed ] as ], honoring Hitler's request.

===Third Reich (1933&ndash;1945)===
{{main|Nazi Germany|World War II|The Holocaust}}
], chancellor of the ].]]

On 27 February 1933, the ]. Afterwards an emergency decree was made and some basic democratic rights were quickly abrogated. An ] gave the Hitler-led government full legislative power. Only the ] voted against the measure, while the Communists, who were thought to be behind the fire, were not able to present opposition due to the ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/nazi/innenpolitik/ermaechtigungsgesetz/index.html | title = Das Ermächtigungsgesetz 1933 | accessdate = 2008-09-12 | author = Deutsches Historisches Museum| authorlink = Deutsches Historisches Museum | publisher = Deutsches Historisches Museum| language = German | quote = An der Abstimmung nicht teilnehmen konnten die 81 Abgeordneten der Kommunistischen Partei Deutschlands (KPD). Ihre Mandate waren auf Basis der Reichstagsbrandverordnung bereits am 8. März 1933 annulliert worden. }}<br/>Roderick Stackelberg, ''Hitler's Germany: origins, interpretations, legacies''. Routledge 1999, p. 103. ISBN 0415201144. <br/>Scheck, Raffael. Colby College. Retrieved 2006, 07-12.</ref> A centralised ] state was established by a series of moves and decrees making Germany a ]. Industry was revitalised, with a focus on ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/nazi/wirtschaft/index.html | title = Industrie und Wirtschaft | accessdate = 2008-09-12 | author = Deutsches Historisches Museum | last = | first = | authorlink = Deutsches Historisches Museum | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | work = | publisher = Deutsches Historisches Museum| language = German| quote = Der Vierjahresplan sollte ab 1936 die wirtschaftliche Kriegsfähigkeit Deutschlands herbeiführen. . . .Bereits im Februar 1933 erklärte Hitler, dass alle öffentlichen Maßnahmen zur Arbeitsbeschaffung zugleich der "Wehrhaftmachung" zu dienen hätten und den Interessen des Staates untergeordnet seien. . . . }}</ref> In 1936, Germany reacquired control of the ], the first of several ] moves to establish ].

In 1939, ] and a ] promising support from the ] led the Germans to ] a ] ("lightning war") against ], which was followed by declarations of war from Britain and France. This marked the beginning of ] in Europe. As the war continued, Germany and its allies quickly gained direct or indirect control of ] of Europe.
] in ruins after ], ] 1945.]]

On 22 June 1941, Germany broke the pact with the Soviets and ]. The same year, ] ], and Germany declared war on the ]. Although the German army advanced into the Soviet Union quite rapidly, the ] marked a major turning point in the war. Subsequently, the German army started to retreat on the ]. ] marked another major turning point in the war, opening up a ]; the Allied forces landed on the beaches of ] and made advances towards German territory. Germany's defeat soon followed. On 8 May 1945, ] after the ] occupied ]. Approximately seven million ] soldiers and civilians—including ] from Eastern Europe—died during World War II.<ref> Steinberg, Heinz Günter. ''Die Bevölkerungsentwicklung in Deutschland im Zweiten Weltkrieg : mit einem Überblick über die Entwicklung von 1945 bis 1990.'' Bonn 1991. Also see </ref>

In what later became known as ], the Third Reich regime enacted governmental policies directly subjugating many dissidents and minorities. About eleven million people were murdered during the Holocaust, including six million ] and sizable number of ], ], the mentally ill and homosexuals. World War II and the actions of the ] regime resulted in 35 million premature deaths in Europe.
{{clear}}

===Division and reunification (1945&ndash;1990)===
{{main|History of Germany since 1945}}
]. ] was formed by the American, British and French zones while ] was formed by the Soviet Zone.]]

The war resulted in the death of nearly ten million German soldiers and civilians; ]; ] from ] and other countries; and the destruction of multiple major cities. The remaining national territory and ] were partitioned by the ] into four military occupation zones.

The western sectors, controlled by ], the ], and the ], were merged on 23 May 1949, to form the '']'' (''Bundesrepublik Deutschland'', or BRD); on 7 October 1949, the Soviet Zone became the '']'' (''Deutsche Demokratische Republik'', or DDR). They were informally known as "West Germany" and "East Germany", and the two parts of Berlin as "]" and "]". East Germany selected East Berlin as its capital, while West Germany chose ]. However, West Germany declared the status of its capital Bonn as provisional,<ref name="provisional">Britannica http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9080620/Bonn</ref> in order to emphasise its stance that the two-state solution was an artificial ''status quo'' that was to be overcome one day.

West Germany, established as a federal parliamentary republic with a "]", was allied with the United States, the UK and France. The country came to enjoy prolonged economic growth beginning in the early 1950s ({{lang|de|'']''}}). West Germany joined ] in 1955 and was a founding member of the ] in 1957.

] in front of the ] shortly after the opening in 1989.]]

East Germany was an ] state under political and military control by the ] via the latter's occupation forces and the ]. While claiming to be a democracy, political power was solely executed by leading members ('']'') of the communist-controlled ]. Their power was ensured by the ], a secret service of immense size, and a variety of SED suborganizations controlling every aspect of society. In return, the basic needs of the population were satisfied at low cost by the state. A Soviet-style ] was set up; later, the GDR became a ] state. While ] was based on the benefits of the GDR's social programs and the alleged constant threat of a West German invasion, many of her citizens looked to the West for political freedoms and economic prosperity.<ref>Colchester, Nico. ]. January 1, 2001. Retrieved 2006, 12-07</ref> The ], built in 1961 to stop East Germans from escaping to West Germany, became a symbol of the ].

Tensions between East and West Germany were somewhat reduced in the early 1970s by Chancellor ]'s {{lang|de|'']''}}, which included the ''de facto'' acceptance of Germany's territorial losses in World War II.

In the summer of ], ] decided (]) to dismantle the ] and open the borders (]), causing an exodus of thousands of ] (]) going to ] via ].
The effects of the Hungarian events had devastating effects on the ], with ]. The East German authorities unexpectedly eased the border restrictions in November, allowing East German citizens to travel to the West. Originally intended as a pressure valve to retain East Germany as a state, the opening of the border actually led to an acceleration of the ] in East Germany, which finally concluded with the '']'' a year later on 12 September 1990, under which the four occupying powers renounced their rights under the Instrument of Surrender, and Germany regained full ]. This permitted ] on 3 October 1990, with the accession of the five re-established East German states (] or "new federal states").

]. ]]
===Berlin Republic and EU integration (1990-)===

Based on the Bonn-Berlin Act, adopted by the parliament on 10 March 1994, Berlin was chosen to be the capital of the unified state, while Bonn obtained the unique status of a ''Bundesstadt'' (federal city) retaining some federal ministries.<ref name="BBG">WDR http://www.wdr.de/themen/kultur/stichtag/2004/03/10.jhtml Eine "faire Arbeitsteilung"
Vor 10 Jahren: Bundestag beschließt Bonn-Berlin-Gesetz . 10 March 04.</ref> The relocation of the government was completed in 1999.

Since reunification, Germany has taken a more active role in the ] and NATO. Germany sent a peacekeeping force to secure stability in the ] and sent a force of ] to ] as part of a NATO effort to provide ] after the ousting of the ].<ref name="ARM">Dempsey, Judy. International Herald Tribune. October 31, 2006. Retrieved 2006, 11-30</ref> These deployments were controversial, since after the war, Germany was bound by law only to deploy troops for defence roles. Deployments to foreign territories were understood not to be covered by the defence provision; however, the parliamentary vote on the issue effectively legalised the participation in a peacekeeping context.

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Germany}}
]

The territory of Germany covers {{convert|357021|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, consisting of {{convert|349223|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|7798|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of water. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the 63rd largest in the world. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the ] (highest point: the ] at {{convert|2962|m|ft|0}}) in the south to the shores of the ] (Nordsee) in the north-west and the ] (Ostsee) in the north-east. Between lie the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: ] at {{convert|3.54|m|ft|1}} below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major ]s such as the ], ] and ].<ref name="CIA"/>

Germany shares borders with more European countries than any other country on the continent. Its neighbours are ] in the north, ] and the ] in the east, ] and ] in the south, ] and ] in the south-west and ] and the ] in the north-west.

===State division===
{{main|States of Germany|List of administrative divisions of Germany}}

Germany comprises ] (''Bundesländer''), which are further subdivided into 439 ] (''Kreise'') and cities (''kreisfreie Städte'').

{{German Federal States|options=float:left; font-size:90%; border:3px; max-width:480px; width:50%;}}
{| style="background:transparent;" cellspacing="2px"
|
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! width="140px" | ] !!width="85px"| ] !!width="85px"| ] (km²)!!width="85px"| ] </tr>
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|35,752|| style="text-align:right"|10,717,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|70,549|| style="text-align:right"|12,444,000
|-
| ] || ] ||style="text-align:right"|892|| style="text-align:right"|3,400,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|29,477|| style="text-align:right"|2,568,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|404|| style="text-align:right"|663,000
|-
| ] || ] ||style="text-align:right"|755|| style="text-align:right"|1,735,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|21,115|| style="text-align:right"|6,098,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|23,174|| style="text-align:right"|1,720,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|47,618|| style="text-align:right"|8,001,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|34,043|| style="text-align:right"|18,075,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|19,847|| style="text-align:right"|4,061,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|2,569|| style="text-align:right"|1,056,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|18,416|| style="text-align:right"|4,296,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|20,445|| style="text-align:right"|2,494,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|15,763|| style="text-align:right"|2,829,000
|-
| ] || ] || style="text-align:right"|16,172|| style="text-align:right"|2,355,000
|}
|}

===Climate===
] scenery in ].]]

Most of Germany has a ] in which humid westerly winds predominate. The climate is moderated by the ], which is the northern extension of the ]. This warmer water affects the areas bordering the North Sea including the ] and the area along the Rhine, which flows into the North Sea. Consequently in the north-west and the north, the climate is ]; ] occurs year round with a maximum during summer.

Winters are mild and summers tend to be cool, though temperatures can exceed 30&nbsp;°] (86&nbsp;°]) for prolonged periods. In the east, the climate is more ]; 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&nbsp;°C (86&nbsp;°F) in summer.<ref>{{cite book | last = Olson | first = Donald | title = Germany For Dummies, 3rd Edition | publisher = Wiley |month=May | year=2007 | pages = | url = http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-5361.html | isbn = 978-0-470-08956-9 }}</ref><ref> World Travels. Retrieved 2006, 11-30.</ref>

===Biodiversity===
] is a widespread species to be found in the wild.]]
], Germany is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the ] within the ]. The territory of Germany can be subdivided into four ]s: the Atlantic mixed forests, Baltic mixed forests, Central European mixed forests and ].<ref> WWF, Retrieved 2008, 12-28.</ref> The majority of Germany is covered by either ] (33%) or ] and ] (31%). Only 15% is covered by permanent pastures.

])]]

Plants and animals are those generally common to middle Europe. Beeches, oaks, and other deciduous trees constitute one-third of the forests; conifers are increasing as a result of reforestation. Spruce and fir trees predominate in the upper mountains, while pine and larch are found in sandy soil. There are many species of ferns, flowers, fungi, and mosses. Fish abound in the rivers and the North Sea. Wild animals include deer, wild boar, mouflon, fox, badger, hare, and small numbers of beaver. Various migratory birds cross Germany in the spring and autumn.

The ] include the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and the ].

Germany is known for its many ]s, wildlife parks, aquaria, and bird parks.<ref> www.eupedia.com, Retrieved 2008, 10-17.</ref> More than 400 registered zoos and animal parks operate in Germany, which is believed to be the largest number in any single country of the world.<ref> www.americanzoos.info/, Retrieved 2008, 10-17.</ref> The ] is the oldest zoo in Germany and presents the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.<ref>(German), Zoo Berlin, Accessed August 5, 2008</ref>

===Environment===
] and ] capacity in the world is installed in Germany.<ref>, The Economist, Retrieved 2008, 11-29.</ref>]]

Germany is known for its environmental consciousness.<ref> German Federal Environmental Foundation, Retrieved 2007, 12-28.</ref> Most Germans consider ] causes to be a significant factor in ].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/sep07/BBCClimate_Sep07_rpt.pdf| title = All Countries Need to Take Major Steps on Climate Change: Global Poll| accessdate = 2008-02-11 | author = PIPA| date =2007-09-24| format = PDF| work = BBC World service Poll, carried out by Globescan| publisher = ] at the ]|quote=Eighty-seven percent of German respondents agree that human activity is a significant cause of climate change and 95 percent think it is necessary to take measures to deal with the problem.}} </ref> The state is committed to the ] and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, recycling, and the use of renewable energy, and supports sustainable development at a global level.<ref> Umweltbundesamt, Retrieved 2007, 11-25.</ref>

] is a protected bird of prey and the national heraldic animal.]]

The German government has initiated wide ranging emission reduction activities and the country´s overall emissions are falling.<ref> Times of India, Retrieved 2008, 11-25</ref> Nevertheless Germany's ] are among the highest in the EU, although they are significantly lower than those of Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution. Acid rain, resulting from sulphur dioxide emissions, is damaging ]s. Pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in former East Germany have been reduced. The government under Chancellor Schröder announced the intention to end the use of nuclear power for producing electricity. Germany is working to meet EU commitments to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive. Germany's last glaciers in the Alpine region are experiencing deglaciation. Natural hazards are river flooding in spring and stormy winds occurring in all regions.

==Government==
{{main|Politics of Germany}}

] in Berlin is the site of the German parliament.]]

Germany is a ], ], ] ] ]. The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 ] known as the ] (]). By calling the document ''Grundgesetz'', rather than ''Verfassung'' (]), the authors expressed the intention that it would be replaced by a proper constitution once Germany was reunited as one state. Amendments to the ''Grundgesetz'' generally require a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the ]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental rights, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended.<ref name="Art 79">{{cite web|url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gg/art_79.html|title=Article 79 of the ''Grundgesetz''|work=Bundesministerium der Justiz|publisher=www.gesetze-im-internet.de|language=German|accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref> Despite the initial intention, the ''Grundgesetz'' remained in effect after the ] in 1990, with only minor amendments.

].]]

The ] (Federal Chancellor)—currently ]—is the ] and exercises ], similar to the role of a ] in other ]. Federal ] is vested in the parliament consisting of the '']'' (Federal Diet) and '']'' (Federal Council), which together form a unique type of legislative body. The ''Bundestag'' is elected through ]s, yet abiding ]. The members of the ''Bundesrat'' represent the governments of the ] and are members of the state cabinets. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time.

The ] (Federal President)—currently ]—is the ], invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the '']'' (federal convention), an institution consisting of the members of the ''Bundestag'' and an equal number of state delegates. The second highest official in the ] is the ''Bundestagspräsident'' (]), who is elected by the ''Bundestag'' and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body. The third-highest official and the ] is the Chancellor, who is nominated by the ''Bundespräsident'' after being elected by the ''Bundestag''. The Chancellor can be removed by a constructive ] by the ''Bundestag'', where constructive implies that the ''Bundestag'' simultaneously elects a successor.

Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the ] and the ] with all chancellors hitherto being member of either party. However, the smaller liberal ] (which has had members in the ''Bundestag'' since 1949) and the ] (which has controlled seats in parliament since 1983) have also played important roles,<ref> U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2006, 12-07.</ref> as they are regularly the smaller partner of a ].

==Law==
{{main|Judiciary of Germany}}
] in ].]]

The ] is independent of the executive and the legislative branches. Germany has a ] that is based on ] with some references to ]. The '']'' (Federal Constitutional Court), located in Karlsruhe, is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of ].<ref>, Bundesverfassungsgericht.de, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> It acts as the highest legal authority and ensures that legislative and judicial practice conforms to the ] (Basic Law). It acts independently of the other state bodies, but cannot act on its own behalf.

], 1949.]]

Germany's supreme court system, called ''Oberste Gerichtshöfe des Bundes'', is specialised. For civil and criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the ], located in ] and ]. The courtroom style is ]. Other Federal Courts are the ] in ], the ] in ], the ] in ] and the ] in Leipzig.

] and ] are codified on the national level in the '']'' and the '']'' respectively. The German penal system is aimed towards rehabilitation of the criminal; its secondary goal is the protection of the general public.<ref>, gesetze-im-internet.de, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> To achieve the latter, a convicted criminal can be put in preventive detention (''Sicherungsverwahrung'') in addition to the regular sentence if he is considered to be a threat to the general public. The '']'' regulates the consequences of ], ] and ]. It gives German courts ] if prosecution by a court of the country where the crime was committed, or by an international court, is not possible.

] officer in ].]]
===State legislation===
{{main|Law enforcement in Germany}}

Legislative power is divided between the federation and the state level. The Basic Law presumes that all legislative power remains at the state level unless otherwise designated by the Basic Law itself.

Any federal law overrides state law if the legislative power lies at the federal level. A famous example is the purported Hessian provision for the death penalty, which goes against the ban on capital punishment under the Basic Law, rendering the Hessian provision invalid. The '']'' is the federal organ through which the states participate in national legislation. State participation in federal legislation is necessary if the law falls within the area of concurrent legislative power, requires states to administer federal regulations, or is so designated by the Basic Law. Every state has its own constitutional court. The '']e'', ''Landgerichte'' and ''Oberlandesgerichte'' are state courts of ]. They are competent whether the action is based on federal or state law.

Many of the fundamental matters of ] remain in the jurisdiction of the states, though most states base their own laws in that area on the 1976 ''Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz'' (Administrative Proceedings Act) covering important points of administrative law. The ''Oberverwaltungsgerichte'' are the highest level of administrative jurisdiction concerning the state administrations, unless the question of law concerns federal law or state law identical to federal law. In such cases, final appeal to the Federal Administrative Court is possible.

==Foreign relations==
{{main|Foreign relations of Germany}}

] hosting the ] summit in ].]]

Germany has played a leading role in the ] since its inception and has maintained a ] since the end of World War II. The alliance was especially close in the late 1980s and early 1990s under the leadership of ] ] and ] ]. Germany is at the forefront of European states seeking to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European political, defence and security apparatus.<ref> Elysee.fr May 13, 3004. Retrieved 2006, 12-03.</ref> Since its establishment on 23 May 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany has kept a notably low profile in international relations, because of both its recent history and its occupation by foreign powers.<ref>Glaab, Manuela.&nbsp; Internationale Politik. Spring 2003. Retrieved 2007, 01-03.</ref>

] in 1957, which became the ] in 1993. It maintains close relations with its neighbours to coordinate EU politics.]]

During the Cold War, Germany's partition by the ] made it a symbol of East-West tensions and a political battleground in Europe. However, Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik was a key factor in the '']'' of the 1970s.<ref>Harrison, Hope. {{PDFlink||91.1&nbsp;KB}} German historical institute, Washington, DC, Bulletin supplement 1, 2004, ''American détente and German ostpolitik, 1969–1972".</ref> In 1999, Chancellor ]'s government defined a new basis for German foreign policy by taking a full part in the decisions surrounding the ] and by sending German troops into combat for the first time since World War II.<ref> ]. October 14, 2005. Retrieved 2006, 12-03.</ref>

The governments of Germany and the ] are close political allies.<ref> U.S. Department of State. July 6, 2006. Retrieved 2006, 12-03.</ref> The 1948 ], U.S. support (]) during the rebuilding process (]) after World War II, as well as fraternisation (]), and strong cultural ties have crafted a strong bond between the two countries, although Schröder's very vocal opposition to the ] suggested the end of ] and a relative cooling of German-American relations.<ref>, ], July 6 2006. Retrieved 2006, 12-31.</ref> The two countries are also economically interdependent: 8.8% of German exports are U.S.-bound and 6.6% of German imports originate from the U.S.<ref name="econ_factsheet_may2006">{{PDFlink||32.8&nbsp;KB}} U.S. Embassy in Berlin. May 2006. Retrieved 2006, 12-03.</ref> The other way around, 8.8% of U.S. exports ship to Germany and 9.8% of U.S. imports come from Germany.<ref name="econ_factsheet_may2006"/> Other signs of the close ties include the continuing position of German-Americans as the largest ethnic group in the U.S.<ref> ] June 30, 2004. Retrieved 2006, 12-03</ref> and the status of ] (near ]) as the largest U.S. military community outside the U.S.<ref> U.S. Military. Retrieved 2006, 12-03.</ref>
{{clear}}

===Development aid===
The development policy of the Federal Republic of Germany is an independent area of German foreign policy. It is formulated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and carried out by the implementing organisations. The German government sees development policy as a joint responsibility of the international community.<ref> Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development April 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008, 12-07.</ref>

Germany's official ] and ] for 2007 amounted to 8.96 billion euros (12.26 billion dollars), an increase of 5.9 per cent from 2006. It has become the world's second biggest aid donor after the United States.<ref> {{dead link|date=December 2008}} www.young-germany.de April 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008, 12-07.</ref> Germany spent 0.37 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on development, which is below the government's target of increasing aid to 0.51 per cent of GDP by 2010. The international target of 0.7% of GNP would have not been reached either.

==Military==
{{main|Bundeswehr}}

] operation off the coast of ].]]

Germany's military, the '']'', is a military force with '']'' (Army), '']'' (Navy), '']'' (Air Force), ] (Central Medical Services) and '']'' (Joint Support Service) branches. Military service is compulsory for men at the age of 18, and conscripts serve nine-month tours of duty. Conscientious objectors may instead opt for an equal length of '']'' (roughly translated as civilian service), or a six year commitment to (voluntary) emergency services like a ], the ] or the ]. In 2003, military spending constituted 1.5% of the country's ].<ref name="CIA"/> In peacetime, the Bundeswehr is commanded by the Minister of Defence, currently ]. If Germany went to war, which according to the constitution is allowed only for defensive purposes, the Chancellor would become commander in chief of the ''Bundeswehr''.<ref> Bundestag.de Retrieved 2006, 11-30.</ref>

] flight demonstration]]

The Bundeswehr employs 200,500 professional soldiers, 55,000 18–25&nbsp;year-old conscripts who serve for at least nine months under current rules, and 2,500 active reservists at any given time. Roughly 300,000 reservists are available to the Armed Forces and participate in defense exercises as well as deployments abroad. Since 2001 women can serve in all functions of service without restriction, but they are not subject to conscription. There are presently around 14,500 women on active duty and a number of female reservists who take part in all duties including peacekeeping missions and other operations. Two female medical officers have been promoted to a General rank so far.

As of October 2006, the German military had almost 9,000 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of various international peacekeeping forces, including 1,180 troops stationed in ]; 2,844 Bundeswehr soldiers in ]; 750 soldiers stationed as a part of ] in the ]; and 2,800 German troops in the NATO-led ] force in ]. As of February 2007, Germany had about 3,000 ISAF troops in Afghanistan, the third largest contingent after the United States (14,000) and the United Kingdom (5,200).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.hq.nato.int/ISAF/media/pdf/placemat_isaf.pdf |title=NATO International Security Assistance Force Placemat|accessdate=2007-02-12 |date=Current as of 2007-02-07 |format=PDF}}</ref> Germany ], in the form of ] stationed at ] airbase.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2007/07/united_states_removes_nuclear.php
|title= United States Removes Nuclear Weapons From German Base, Documents Indicate
|accessdate= 2008-07-26
|author= Hans Kristensen
|date= 2007-07-09
|publisher= Federation of American Scientists
}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{main|Germans|Demographics of Germany|Social issues in Germany}}
]

With 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union. Its ] is one of the lowest in Europe and counts 1.41 children per woman.<ref name="CIA"/> Germany has a number of large cities, the most populous being ], ], ], ], ] and ]. By far the largest ] is the ] region (12 million), including ] (the capital of ]) and the cities of ], ], ], ], and ].

] is the largest city with a population of 3.4 million people.]]

As of December 2004, about seven million foreign citizens were registered in Germany, and 19% of the country's residents were of foreign or partially foreign descent. The young are more likely to be of foreign descent than the old. 30% of Germans aged 15 years and younger have at least one parent born abroad. In the big cities 60% of children aged 5 years and younger have at least one parent born abroad.<ref>BiBB: retrieved 25 of May 2008</ref>

The largest group (2.7 million) is from ], and a majority of the rest are from European states such as ], ], ], ], and ].<ref> Federal Statistical Office Germany January 24, 2006. Retrieved 2007, 01-01.</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/countrydata/data.cfm | title = Germany: Stock of foreign population by country of nationality (table available by menu selection) | publisher = Migration Policy Institute|year =2008}}</ref> The ] lists Germany as host to the ], about 5% or 10 million of all 191 million migrants, or about 12% of the population of Germany.<ref> United Nations Population Fund. 2006. Retrieved 2007, 01-01.</ref> As a consequence of ] to Germany's formerly rather unrestricted laws on ] and immigration, the number of immigrants seeking asylum or claiming German ethnicity (mostly from the former Soviet Union) has been declining steadily since 2000.<ref>, German Federal Statistics Bureau (Statistiches Bundesamt Deutschland) , July 6 2006. Retrieved on 2007, 01-01. {{de icon}}</ref>

Large numbers of people with full or significant ] ancestry are found in the
] (50 million),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IPTable?_bm=y&-reg=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201:535;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201PR:535;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201T:535;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201TPR:535&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201PR&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201T&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201TPR&-ds_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_&-TABLE_NAMEX=&-ci_type=A&-redoLog=false&-charIterations=047&-geo_id=01000US&-format=&-_lang=en|coauthors=United States Census Bureau|title=U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey|accessdate=2007-04-15}} The 1990 census gives 57.9 million, or 23.3% of the U.S. population.</ref> ] (5 million)<ref></ref> and ] (3 million).<ref> gives 2,742,765 total respondents stating their ''ethnic origin'' as partly German, with 705,600 stating "single-ancestry".</ref> About 3 million "Aussiedler"&nbsp;— ethnic Germans, mainly from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union&nbsp;— have resettled in Germany since 1987.<ref>. ''Migration Information Source.'' February 2004</ref>

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Germany}}
] at the ] river is a ].]]

] is the largest religious denomination in Germany, with 52 million adherents (64%). <ref>(German), EKD, Retrieved 2007, November 11-25.</ref> 26.5 million are ] (32.3%) and 25.5 million are ] (31.0%).<ref>(German), Religionswissenschaftlicher Medien- und Informationsdienst, Retrieved 2009, May 05-30.</ref> The second largest religion is ] with 4.3 million adherents (5%)<ref>. Spiegel Online. June 24, 2009.</ref> followed by ] and ], both with around 200,000 adherents (c. 0.25%). ] has some 90,000 adherents (0.1%) and ] 75,000 (0.09%). All other religious communities in Germany have fewer than 50,000 (or less than 0.05%) adherents. About 24.4 million Germans (29.6%) have ].

].]]

] is concentrated in the north and east and ] is concentrated in the south and west. The current ], ], was born in ]. ] people, including ] and ], make up 29.6% of the population, and are especially numerous in the former ] and major metropolitan areas.<ref> Religionswissenschaftlicher Medien- und Informationsdienst. November 4, 2006. Retrieved 2006, 11-30. {{de icon}}</ref>

Of the 4.3 million ]s, most are ] and ] from ], but there are a small number of ].<ref> Euro-Islam.info. Retrieved 2006, 11-30.</ref> 1.7% of the country's overall population declare themselves ], ] and ] being the most numerous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ekd.de/statistik/mitglieder.html |title=EKD: Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland - Christen in Deutschland 2006 |publisher=Ekd.de |date= |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> Germany has Europe's third-largest ] (after ] and the ]).<ref>Blake, Mariah. ]. November 10,2006. Retrieved 2006, 11-30.</ref> In 2004, twice as many Jews from former ] republics settled in Germany as in ], bringing the total Jewish population to more than 200,000, compared to 30,000 prior to ]. Large cities with significant Jewish populations include ], ] and ].<ref> European Jewish Congress. Retrieved 2006, 11-30.</ref> Around 250,000 active ] live in Germany; 50% of them are Asian immigrants.<ref>] 12/07, page 13</ref>

According to the ] 2005, 47% of German citizens agreed with the statement "I believe there is a God", whereas 25% agreed with "I believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% said "I do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 (page 11)|accessdate=2007-05-05|format=PDF}}</ref>

===Languages===
{{main|Languages of Germany}}
]

German is the official and predominantly spoken language in Germany.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages"/> It is one of 23 official languages in the European Union, and one of the three ]s of the ], along with English and French. Recognised native minority languages in Germany are ], ], ], and ]. They are officially protected by the ]. Most used immigrant languages are ], ], the ], and ].

The standard German is a ] and is closely related to and classified alongside ], ], and the ]. To a lesser extent, it is also related to the ] (extinct) and ]. Most German vocabulary is derived from the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.<ref name="Many tongues, one family">{{cite web|title=Many tongues, one family. Languages in the European Union|publisher=] |author=] |year=2004|url=http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/45/en.pdf|format=PDF |accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> Significant minorities of words are derived from ] and ], with a smaller amount from ] and most recently English (known as ]). German is written using the Latin alphabet. In addition to the 26 standard letters, German has three vowels with ], namely ä, ö, and ü, as well as the ] or ''scharfes S'' (''sharp s'') which is written "ß".

German ]s are distinguished from ] of ]. The German dialects are the traditional local varieties and are traced back to the different German tribes. Many of them are not easily understandable to someone who knows only standard German, since they often differ from standard German in ], ], and ].

Around the world, German is spoken by approximately 100 million ] and also about 80 million non-native speakers.<ref name=natgeo2006>{{cite book
| authorlink = National Geographic
| title = National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World
| publisher = R.R Donnelley & Sons Company
| year = 2006
| month = April
| location = Willard, Ohio
| pages = 257–270
|isbn = Regular:0-7922-3662-9, 978-0-7922-3662-7. Deluxe:0-7922-7976-X, 978-0-7922-7976-1 }}</ref> German is the main language of about 90 million people (18%) in the EU. 67% of the German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language, 27% in at least two languages other than their own.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages">{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Survey)|publisher=] |author=]|year=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf| format=PDF |accessdate=2007-02-03}}<br />{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary)|publisher=] |author=]|year=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Germany}}
]

Germany is the largest national economy in ], the ] in the world, and ranked ] in 2008.<ref> CIA Factbook 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2006.</ref> Since the age of ], the country has been a driver, innovator, and beneficiary of an ever more globalised economy. Germany is the ] with $1.133 trillion exported in 2006 (] countries are included) and generates a ] of €165 billion.<ref>, ], 8 February 2006, Retrieved 3 January 2007.</ref> The ] contributes around 70% of the total GDP, industry 29.1%, and agriculture 0.9%. Most of the country's products are in engineering, especially in automobiles, machinery, metals, and chemical goods.<ref name="CIA"/> Germany is the leading producer of wind turbines and solar power technology in the world. The largest annual international trade fairs and congresses are held in several German cities such as Hanover, Frankfurt, and Berlin.<ref> Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Germany) Retrieved 30 November 2006.</ref>

] is a major financial centre, seat of the ], and a global aviation hub.]]

Of the world's 500 largest stock market listed companies measured by ], the ], 37 companies are headquartered in Germany. In 2007 the ten biggest were ], ], ] (the most profitable company), ], ] (2nd most profitable company), ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>, CNN Money, Retrieved 26 November 2007.</ref> Among the largest employers are also ], ], and ].<ref>, CNN Money, Retrieved 26 November 2007.</ref> Well known global brands are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>, Businessweek, Retrieved 26 November 2007.</ref>

Germany is a strong advocate of closer European economic and political integration, and its commercial policies are increasingly determined by agreements among ] (EU) members and EU ] legislation. Germany uses the common European currency, the ], and its monetary policy is set by the ] in Frankfurt. Even after the ] in 1990, the ] and annual income remains significantly higher in the former West German states.<ref name="FR">Berg, S., Winter, S., Wassermann, A. Spiegel Online International. 5 September 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2006.</ref> The modernisation and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a long-term process scheduled to last until the year 2019, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $80 billion. The overall unemployment rate has consistently fallen since 2005 and reached a 15-year low in June 2008 with 7.5%.<ref>(German) Tagesschau, Retrieved 1 July 2008.</ref> The percentage ranges from 6.2% in former West Germany to 12.7% in former East Germany. The former government of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder launched a comprehensive set of reforms of labour market and welfare-related institutions while the current government runs a restrictive ] and has cut regular jobs in the ].

===Infrastructure===
{{main|Energy in Germany|Transport in Germany}}
] harbour is the second-largest port in ].]]
With its central position in Europe, Germany is an important transportation hub. This is reflected in its dense and modern transportation networks. The extensive motorway (]) network that ranks worldwide third largest in its total length and features a lack of blanket speed limits on the majority of routes.<ref name=adac>{{cite web
| authorlink = www.adac.de/verkehrs-experten
| title = Autobahn-Temporegelung
| publisher = ]
| date = October 2007
| url = http://www.adac.de/images/SP_Tempolimit_V%201%2E0_tcm8-199598.pdf
| format = PDF
| language = German
| accessdate = 2008-11-15}}</ref>

Germany has established a polycentric network of ]. The ] or ''ICE'' is the most advanced service category of the ] and serves major German cities as well as destinations in neighbouring countries. The train maximum speed varies between 160&nbsp;km/h and 300&nbsp;km/h. Connections are offered at either 30-minute, hourly, or two-hourly intervals.<ref>, Deutsche Bahn, Retrieved 19 October 2007.</ref>

] trainset]]

Germany is the world's fifth largest consumer of energy, and two-thirds of its primary energy was imported in 2002. In the same year, Germany was Europe's largest consumer of electricity, totaling 512.9 terawatt-hours. Government policy promotes energy conservation and the development of ] sources, such as solar, ], ], hydroelectric, and ] energy. As a result of energy-saving measures, ] has been improving since the beginning of the 1970s. The government has set the goal of meeting half the country's energy demands from renewable sources by 2050.

In 2000, the government and the ] agreed to phase out all ]s by 2021.<ref>, BBC, Accessed 13 April 2007</ref> Renewable energy still plays a more modest role in energy consumption. In 2006, energy consumption was met by the following sources: oil (35.7%); coal, including lignite (23.9%); natural gas (22.8%); nuclear (12.6%); hydro and wind power (1.3%); and other (3.7%). However, the share of renewable energy in electricity supply has been rapidly increasing, reaching 14% in 2007. The German government has set a new target to increase this share to 27% by 2020.

==Science==
{{main|Science and technology in Germany}}

] presents ] with the Max-Planck medal in 1929.]]

Germany has been the home of some of the most prominent researchers in various scientific fields.<ref> German Academic Exchange Service (2005, 02-23). Retrieved 2006, 12-08.</ref> The ] has been awarded to ].<ref>, nobelprize.org, Retrieved 2009, February 23.</ref> The work of ] and ] was crucial to the foundation of modern ], which ] and ] developed further.<ref>Roberts, J. M. ''The New Penguin History of the World'', Penguin History, 2002. Pg. 1014. ISBN 0141007230.</ref> They were preceded by physicists such as ], ], and ]. ] discovered ]s, which are called ''Röntgenstrahlen'' (Röntgen-rays) in German and many other languages. This accomplishment made him the first winner of the ] in 1901.<ref> History Channel from ''The World Almanac and Book of Facts'' 2006. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref>

] ] developed the ] and later on was a prominent member of ] and developed the ] Moon rocket, which paved the way for the success of the US ]. ]'s work in the domain of ] was pivotal to the development of modern ].<ref> International Telecommunication Union. January 14, 2004. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref> Through his construction of the first laboratory at the ] in 1879, ] is credited with the establishment of ] as an independent empirical science.<ref>Kim, Alan. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. June 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref> ]'s work as a natural scientist and explorer was foundational to ].<ref>, Humboldt Field Research Institute and Eagle Hill Foundation. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref>

] complex for Microelectronic Manufacturing in ]]]

Numerous significant ]s were born in Germany, including ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Germany has been the home of many famous ]s and ]s, such as ], who is credited with the invention of ] ] in Europe; ], the creator of the ]; and ], who built the first fully automatic digital computer.<ref>Horst, Zuse. Everyday Practical Electronics (EPE) Online. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref> German inventors, engineers and industrialists such as ] ], ], ], ], ] and ] helped shape modern automotive and air transportation technology.<ref> Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref><ref> U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref>

Important research institutions in Germany are the ], the ] and the ]. They are independently or externally connected to the university system and contribute to a considerable extent to the scientific output. The prestigious ] is granted to ten scientists and academics every year. With a maximum of €2.5 million per award it is one of highest endowed research prizes in the world.<ref>, DFG, Accessed March 12, 2007</ref>

==Education==
{{main|Education in Germany}}

]]]

Responsibility for educational oversight in Germany lies primarily with the ] individually, whilst the federal government only has a minor role.<!--Kulturhoheit--> Optional ] education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which school attendance is ] for at least nine years. ] usually lasts for four years and public schools are not stratified at this stage.<ref name="ED">{{PDFlink||177&nbsp;KB}} U.S. Library of Congress. December 2005. Retrieved 2006, 12-04.</ref> In contrast, ] includes four types of schools based on a pupil's ability as determined by teacher recommendations: the '']'' enrols the most gifted children and prepares students for university studies, and attendance lasts eight or nine years depending on the state; the '']'' has a broader range of emphasis for intermediate students and lasts six years; the '']'' prepares pupils for vocational education, and the '']'' or comprehensive school combines the three approaches.<ref name="ED"/>

] was established in 1386.]]

The ], coordinated by the ], assesses the skills of 15-year-olds in OECD countries and a number of partner countries. In 2006, German schoolchildren improved their position compared to previous years, being ranked (statistically) significantly above average (rank 13) in science skills and statistically not significantly above or below average in mathematical skills (rank 20) and reading skills (rank 18).<ref name="PISAex">{{cite book | author = Programme for International Student Assessment | authorlink = Programme for International Student Assessment | title = Executive Summary, PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Volume 1: Analysis | url= http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/13/39725224.pdf| accessdate = 2007-12-15 | year = 2007 | publisher = OECD | location = France | isbn = 978-92-64-04000-7 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="PISA1">{{cite book | author = Programme for International Student Assessment | authorlink = Programme for International Student Assessment | title = PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Volume 1: Analysis | url =http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/30/17/39703267.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-12-15 | year = 2007 | publisher = OECD | location = France | isbn = 978-92-64-04000-7 }}</ref> The socio-economic gradient was very high in Germany, the pupils' performance in Germany being more dependent on socio-economic factors than in most other countries.<ref name="PISAex" /><ref name="PISA1" />

A special system of apprenticeship called ''Duale Ausbildung'' ("dual education") allows pupils in ] to learn in a company as well as in a state-run vocational school.<ref name="ED"/>

To enter a ], high school students are generally required to take the '']'' examination, which is similar to ] and typically done in the ''Gymnasium'' at the age of 18 or 19. However, students possessing a diploma from a ] may also apply for ] in certain subjects. Germany's universities are recognised internationally, indicating the high education standards in the country. In the ] ranking for 2008, six of the top 100 universities in the world are in Germany, and 18 in the top 200.<ref name=ARWU>{{cite web
| title = Top 100 World Universities
| publisher = ]
| url = http://www.arwu.org/rank2008/ARWU2008_A(EN).htm
| accessdate = 2009-03-14}}</ref> Nearly all German universities are public (i.e. non-private) institutions, charging tuition fees ranging from €50–500 per semester for each student.<ref> German Academic Exchange Service. Retrieved 2006, 11-30.</ref>

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Germany}}
] (1770–1827) , composer.
]]]

Germany is historically called ''Das Land der Dichter und Denker'' (the land of poets and thinkers).<ref>Wasser, Jeremy. Spiegel Online International. April 6, 2006. Retrieved 2006, 12-06.</ref> German culture began long before the rise of Germany as a ] 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 ]. As a result, it is difficult to identify a specific German tradition separated from the larger framework of European ].<ref> Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006. Retrieved 2007, 01-02.</ref> Another consequence of these circumstances is the fact that some historical figures, such as ], ] and ], though not citizens of Germany in the modern sense, must be considered in the context of the German cultural sphere in order to understand their historical situation, work and social relations.

] (1880–1916).]]

In Germany, the Federal States are in charge of the cultural institutions. There are 240 subsidised theatres, hundreds of symphonic orchestras, thousands of museums and over 25,000 libraries spread over the 16 states. These cultural opportunities are enjoyed by many millions: there are over 91 million German museum visits every year; annually, 20 million go to theatres and operas; while 3.6 million listen to the great symphonic orchestras.<ref> www.study-in-germany.de Retrieved 2008, 10-17.</ref>

Germany claims some of the world's most renowned ] composers, including ], ], ] and ]. As of 2006, Germany is the fifth largest music market in the world and has influenced ] and ] through artists such as ], ] and ].<ref> P2pnet.net April 7, 2004. Retrieved 2006, 12-07.</ref>

Numerous German painters have enjoyed international prestige through their work in diverse artistic styles. ], ], and ] were important artists of the ], ] of ], and ] of ]. ] contributions from Germany include the ] and ], which were important precursors of ]. The region later became the site of significant works in styles such as ], ] and ]. Germany was particularly important in the early ], especially through the ] movement founded by ]. ], also from Germany, became one of world's most renowned architects in the second half of the 20th century. The glass façade skyscraper was his idea.<ref>2006 A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Paperback) , Second (in English) , Oxford University Press, 880. ISBN 0198606788</ref>

===Philosophy===
] (1724–1804), philosopher.]]

Germany's ] is historically significant and many notable German philosophers have helped shape ] since the Middle Ages. ]'s contributions to ]; the establishment of classical ] by ], ], ] and ]; ]'s and ]' formulation of ]; ]'s composition of metaphysical pessimism; ]'s development of ]; ]'s works on Being; and the social theories of ] were especially influential.

German literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the works of writers such as ] and ]. Various German authors and poets have won great renown, including ] and ]. The collections of folk tales published by the ] popularised ] on an international level.
Influential authors of the 20th century include ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="nobel">{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/articles/espmark/index.html|title=The Nobel Prize in Literature|publisher=Nobelprize.org|date=1999-12-03|author=Kjell Espmark|accessdate=2006-08-14}}</ref>

===Media===
] in 2008).]]

Germany's television market is the largest in Europe, with some 34 million TV households.
The many regional and national public broadcasters are organised in line with the federal political structure. Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV, and viewers can choose from a variety of free-to-view public and commercial channels. Pay-TV services have not become popular or successful while public TV broadcasters ] and ] offer a range of digital-only channels.<ref>, BBC News, Retrieved 2007, 12-07.</ref>

Germany is home to some of the world's largest media conglomerates, including ] and the ]. Some of Germany's top free-to-air commercial TV networks are owned by ProSiebenSat1.

The German book market produces around 60,000 new publications every year. It represents 18% of all the books published worldwide and puts Germany in third place among the world’s book producers.<ref> German Embassy
London, Retrieved 2008, 10-22.</ref> The ] is considered to be the most important book fair in the world for international deals and trading and has a tradition that spans over 500 years.

The country's news is provided for English speakers by news magazine ], state broadcaster ] and news site ].

In December 2008 the top visited websites by German internet users were ].de, Google.com, ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref> Alexa, Retrieved 2008, 12-31.</ref>

===Cinema===
{{main|Cinema of Germany}}

] in '']'' in 1930, Germany's first major film with sound.]]

German cinema dates back to the very early years of the medium with the work of ]. It was particularly influential during the years of the Weimar Republic with ] such as ] and ]. Austrian-based director ], who became a German citizen in 1926 and whose career flourished in the pre-war German film industry, is said to have been a major influence on Hollywood cinema. His silent movie ] (1927) is referred to as the birth of modern Science Fiction movies.

In 1930 Austrian-American Josef von Sternberg directed '']'', which was the first major German ] and it brought world fame to actress ].<ref>{{cite book |last= Bordwell |first= David |authorlink= David Bordwell |coauthors= Kristin Thompson|title= Film History: An Introduction|origdate= |origyear= 1994 |edition= 2nd |year= 2003 |publisher= McGraw-Hill |location= New York City |isbn= 978-0071151412 |page= 204 |chapter= The Introduction of Sound}}</ref> Impressionist documentary ], directed by ], is a prominent example of the city symphony genre. The Nazi era produced mostly propaganda films although the work of ] still introduced new aesthetics to film.<ref>, FILMBUG, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref>

] in February.]]

During the 1970s and 80s, ] directors such as ], ], ], and ] put West German cinema back on the international stage with their often provocative films.<ref>, Fassbinder Foundation, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref>
More recently, films such as '']'' (2003), '']'' (2004), '']'' (2004), and '']'' (2008) have enjoyed international success.

The ] went to the German production '']'' in 1979, to '']'' in 2002, and to '']'' in 2007.<ref>, IMDb, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> Among the most famous German actors are Marlene Dietrich, ], ], ], ], and ].

The ], held annually since 1951, is one of the world's foremost film festivals. An international jury places emphasis on representing films from all over the world and awards the winners with the Golden and Silver Bears.<ref>'', International Federation of Film Producers Associations, retrieved on December 11, 2006.''</ref> The annual ]s ceremony is held every second year in the city of Berlin, where the ] (EFA) is located. The ] in Potsdam are the oldest large-scale film studios in the world and a centre for international film production.

===Sports===
{{main|Sport in Germany}}
] has won seven ] championships.]]

Sport forms an integral part of German life. Twenty-seven million Germans are members of a sports club and an additional twelve million pursue such an activity individually.<ref name="sports">{{cite web | url = http://www.germany.info/relaunch/culture/life/sports.html | title = Germany Info: Culture & Life: Sports | publisher = Germany Embassy in Washington, D.C | accessdate = 28 December 2006}}</ref> ] is the most popular sport. With more than 6.3 million official members, the ] (''Deutscher Fußball-Bund'') is the largest sports organisation of its kind worldwide.<ref name="sports"/> The ] attracts the second highest ] of any professional sports league in the world. The ] won the ] in 1954, 1974 and 1990 and the ] in 1972, 1980 and 1996. Germany has hosted the FIFA World Cup in ] and ] and the ] in ]. Among the most successful and renowned footballers are
], ], ], ], and ]. Other popular spectator sports include ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="sports"/>

] is host to the football club ] and was a venue for the ].]]

Germany is one of the leading motorsports countries in the world. Race winning cars, teams and drivers have come from Germany. The most successful ] driver in history, ], has set the most significant motorsport records during his career and won more ] championships and races than any other driver since Formula One's debut season in 1946. He is one of the highest paid sportsmen in history and became a billionaire athlete.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sport.guardian.co.uk/formulaone/story/0,,1929091,00.html | title = What we will miss about Michael Schumacher | publisher = Guardian Unlimited | accessdate = 19 October 2007}}</ref> Constructors like ] and ] are among the leading teams in motorsport sponsorship. ] has won the ], a prestigious annual race held in France, 16 times. The ] is a popular series in Germany.

Historically, German sportsmen have been some of the most successful contenders in the ], ranking third in an ], combining East and West German medals. In the ], Germany finished fifth in the medal count,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml | title = Beijing 2008 Medal Table | publisher = The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games | accessdate = 8 September 2008}}</ref> while in the ] they finished first.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/table_uk.asp?OLGT=2&OLGY=2006 | title = Turin 2006 Medal Table | publisher = International Olympic Committee | accessdate = 28 December 2006}}</ref>
Germany has hosted the ] twice, in ] in ] and in ] in ]. The ] took place in Germany once in ] when they were staged in the ]n twin towns of ] and ].

===Cuisine===
{{main|German cuisine}}

]'' (Black Forest gateau).]]

German cuisine varies from region to region. The southern regions of ] and Swabia, for instance, share a culinary culture with Switzerland and Austria. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties of meat consumed in Germany, with ] being the most popular.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nationmaster.com/country/gm-germany/foo-food | title = German food stats | publisher = www.nationmaster.com | accessdate = 26 November 2007}}</ref> Throughout all regions, meat is often eaten in sausage form. More than 1500 different types of ] are produced in Germany. The most popular vegetables are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips, spinach, and beans.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cuisineeurope.com/recipes_germany/main_recipes_germany_en.html | title = German cuisine | publisher = www.cuisineeurope.com | accessdate = 26 November 2007}}</ref>
] has gained a market share of around 3.0%, and is predicted to increase further.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.organic-europe.net/country_reports/germany/default.asp | title = Organic Agriculture in Germany | publisher = organic-Europe | accessdate = 26 November 2007}}</ref>

A popular German saying has the meaning: "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." Breakfast is usually a selection of breads and rolls with jam and honey or cold meats and cheese, sometimes accompanied by a boiled egg. ]s or muesli with milk or joghurt is less common but widespread.<ref>, Cultural Profiles Project, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> More than 300 types of ] are sold in bakery shops across the country.<ref>, /www.germany-tourism.de, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref>

] and cold meat ] served at private festivities.]]

As a country with many immigrants, Germany has adopted many international dishes into its cuisine and daily eating habits. ] dishes like ] and ], ] and ] dishes like ] and ] are well established, especially in bigger cities. International ] chains, as well as ] and ] restaurants, are widespread. ], ], ], and other Asian cuisines have gained popularity in recent decades.
Among nine high-profile restaurants in Germany, the ] has awarded three stars, the highest designation, while 15 more received two stars.<ref>, Deutsche Welle, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> German restaurants have become the world's second most decorated after eateries in France.<ref>, Reuters India, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref>

Although ] is becoming more popular in many parts of Germany, the national alcoholic drink is ]. German beer consumption per person is declining but—at 116 litres annually—it is still among the highest in the world.<ref>, royalunibrew.com, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> Beer varieties include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Among 18 surveyed western countries, Germany ranked 14th in the list of per capita consumption of soft drinks in general, while it ranked third in the consumption of fruit juices.<ref>, www.nationmaster.com, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> Furthermore, carbonated mineral water and '']'' (its mixture with fruit juice) are very popular in Germany.

===Society===
] around the globe. (], model)]]

Since the 2006 World Cup celebrations the internal and external perception of Germany's national image has changed.<ref> BrandOvation, Retrieved 2007, 11-25.</ref> In annually conducted global surveys known as ], Germany became significantly and repeatedly higher ranked after the tournament. People in 20 different states were asked to assess the country's reputation in terms of culture, politics, exports, its people and its attractiveness to tourists, immigrants and investments. Germany has been named the ] among 50 countries in 2008.<ref>{{cite press release | title = GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media and Simon Anholt Release Global Reputation Study Ranking 50 Countries: Germany on Top, U.S. Seventh in Nation Brands IndexSM | publisher = ] | date = 2008-09-24 | url = http://www.gfk.com/group/press_information/press_releases/003055/index.en.html | accessdate = 2009-02-08 | quote = }}</ref> Another global opinion poll based on 13,575 responses in 21 countries for the ] revealed that Germany is recognised for the most positive influence in the world in 2009, leading 16 investigated countries. A majority of 61% have a positive view of the country, while 15% have a negative view.<ref> BBC NEWS, Retrieved 2008, 04-02</ref>

] on the island of ]).]]

Germany is a legally and socially tolerant country towards homosexuals. ]s have been permitted since 2001.<ref> News24.com, Retrieved 2007, 11-25.</ref> Gays and lesbians can legally adopt their partner's biological children (stepchild adoption). The mayors of the two largest German cities, Berlin and Hamburg, are openly gay.<ref name=gayscity>{{cite web
| last = Weinthal
| first = Benjamin
| title = He’s Gay, and That’s Okay
| publisher = ]
| date = ]
| url = http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2006/08/31/gay_city_news_archives/past%20issues/17334472.txt
| accessdate = 2009-09-03}}</ref>{{Update after|2011|09|reason=elections in Berlin}}

During the last decade of the 20th century Germany has transformed its attitude towards immigrants considerably. Until the mid-nineties the opinion was widespread that Germany is not a country of immigration, even though about 10% of the population were of non-German origin. After the end of the influx of so-called '']'' (blue-collar guest-workers), refugees were a tolerated exception to this point of view. Today the government and German society are acknowledging the opinion that controlled immigration should be allowed based on the qualification of immigrants.<ref> The Integration of Immigrants in European Societies, Retrieved 2008, 11-25.</ref>

With an expenditure of €67 billion on international travel in 2008, Germans invested more money in travel than any other country. The most travelled foreign destinations were Spain, Italy and Austria.<ref> The Economic Times, Retrieved 2009, 03-15.</ref>
{{-}}

==See also==
{{portal|Germany|Flag of Germany.svg}}
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==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Misplaced Pages-2|2008-06-24|Germany (Spoken Article) Part 1.ogg|Germany (Spoken Article) Part 2.ogg}}
{{sisterlinks|Germany}}
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Misplaced Pages is not a link list nor a Web directory. If your link points to a site that does not cover many subjects about Germany, it's most likely in the wrong place here and you should go and search for a more specific article.
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'''General'''
*—Official Germany portal (non-profit)
* (] and English)
*—Germany's international broadcaster
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*{{CIA World Factbook link|gm|Germany}}
* entry at '']''
* at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
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{{wikiatlas|Germany}}

'''Facts and figures'''
*—by the German Federal Foreign Office
*—Federal Statistical Office Germany {{en icon}}

'''Travel'''
*—Official Germany tourism portal (non-profit)
*{{wikitravel|Germany}}

{{Germany topics}}
{{Countries of Europe}}
{{Countries bordering the Baltic Sea}}
{{States of Germany |titlestyle=background:#ddf;}}
{{G8 nations}}
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Revision as of 18:37, 16 September 2009

Germany is full of stupid people.

The end.