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{{Short description|Country in Central Europe}}
The '''Federal Republic of Germany''' (]: ''Bundesrepublik Deutschland'') is one of ] ] countries, located in central ]. The largest European country in area, Germany 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 ]. Transversed by the ], ], and ] rivers, Germany has traditionally sat at the crossroads of Europe.
{{Redirect|Deutschland|other uses|Deutschland (disambiguation)|and|Germany (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Federal Republic of Germany|the country from 1949–1990|West Germany}}
{{featured article}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
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{{use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Federal Republic of Germany
| common_name = Germany
| native_name = {{native name|de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}
| image_flag = Flag of Germany.svg
| image_coat = Coat of arms of Germany.svg
| coa_size = 80
| national_anthem = {{lang|de|"]"|italics=no}}{{efn|From 1952 to 1990, the entire "Das Lied der Deutschen" was the national anthem, but only the third verse was sung on official occasions. Since 1991, the third verse alone has been the national anthem.<ref name="PresidentsOffice">{{cite web|url=http://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Amt-und-Aufgaben/Wirken-im-Inland/Repraesentation-und-Integration/repraesentation-und-integration-node.html|title=Repräsentation und Integration|publisher=]|language=de|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307221541/http://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Amt-und-Aufgaben/Wirken-im-Inland/Repraesentation-und-Integration/repraesentation-und-integration-node.html|archivedate=7 March 2016|accessdate=8 March 2016}}</ref>}}<br />("The Song of the Germans")<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|]}}</div>
| image_map = {{switcher|]|Show globe|]|Show map of Europe|default=1}}
| map_caption = {{map caption
| location_color = dark green
| region = Europe
| region_color = dark grey
| subregion = the ]
| subregion_color = light green
}}
| map_width = 250px
| capital = ]{{efn|Berlin is the sole constitutional capital and ''de jure'' seat of government, but the former provisional capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, ], has the special title of "federal city" ({{lang|de|Bundesstadt}}) and is the primary seat of six ministries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/politics/the-german-federal-government|website=deutschland.de|title=The German Federal Government|date=23 January 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430004825/https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/politics/the-german-federal-government|archivedate=30 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|31|N|13|23|E|type:city}}
| largest_city = capital
| official_languages = ]{{efn|], ], ], ], and ] are recognised by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/09/the-protection-of-minority-and-regional-languages-in-germany/|publisher=Library of Congress|last=Gesley|first=Jenny|title=The Protection of Minority and Regional Languages in Germany|date=26 September 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525092638/https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/09/the-protection-of-minority-and-regional-languages-in-germany/|archivedate=25 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| demonym = ]
| government_type = ]<ref name="CIA" />
| leader_title1 = ]
| leader_name1 = ]
| leader_title2 = ]
| leader_name2 = ]
| legislature = ], ]{{efn|The Bundesrat is sometimes referred to as an upper chamber of the German legislature. This is technically incorrect, since the ] defines the Bundestag and Bundesrat as two separate legislative institutions. Hence, the federal legislature of Germany consists of two unicameral legislative institutions, not one bicameral parliament.}}
| area_km2 = 357,596
| area_footnote = <ref name=area>{{Cite web |title=Germany |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |accessdate=9 November 2024 |website=statistikportal.de |language=en}}</ref>
| area_rank = 63rd <!-- Area rank should match ] -->
| area_sq_mi = 138,058 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
| percent_water = 1.27<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|accessdate=11 October 2020|publisher=]|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER#|archivedate=24 March 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324133453/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_census = {{increase neutral}} 82,719,540<ref name="Census2022.DE">{{cite web|url=https://www.zensus2022.de/DE/Ergebnisse-des-Zensus/_inhalt.html#toc-2 |title=Ergebnisse des Zensus 2022 – Bevölkerung (15.05.2022) |publisher=] |website=www.destatis.de |date=2024-06-25 |access-date=2024-06-25 |language=german}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2022
| population_census_rank = 19th
| population_density_km2 = 236
| population_density_sq_mi = 601 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
| population_density_rank = 58th
| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $6.017&nbsp;trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.DE">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October/weo-report?c=134,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Germany) |publisher=] |website=www.imf.org |date=22 October 2024 |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank = 6th
| GDP_PPP_year = 2024
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $70,930<ref name="IMFWEO.DE" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 22nd
| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $4.710&nbsp;trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.DE" />
| GDP_nominal_rank = 3rd
| GDP_nominal_year = 2024
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $55,521<ref name="IMFWEO.DE" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 17th
| Gini = 29.4 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year = 2023
| Gini_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref = <ref name="eurogini">{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en|title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income|publisher=]|accessdate=17 September 2024|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091832/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gini_rank =
| HDI = 0.950 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|language=en|publisher=]|date=13 March 2024|archive-date=13 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 7th
| currency = ] (])
| currency_code = EUR
| time_zone = ]
| utc_offset = +1
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| time_zone_DST = ]
| cctld = ]
| calling_code = ]
| today =
| drives_on = Right
| date_format = {{hlist|Day, month, year|Year, month, day}}
}}
'''Germany''',{{efn|{{native name|de|Deutschland}}, {{IPA|de|ˈdɔʏtʃlant|lang|De-Deutschland.ogg}}}} officially the '''Federal Republic of Germany''',{{efn|{{native name|de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}, {{IPA|de|ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant|lang|De-Bundesrepublik Deutschland.ogg}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch|publisher=Dudenverlag|year=2005|isbn=978-3-411-04066-7|editor-last=Mangold|editor-first=Max|edition=6th|pages=271, 53f|language=de}}</ref>}} is a country in ]. It lies between the ] and ] to the north and the ] to the south. Its sixteen ] have a total population of over 82 million in an area of {{convert|357596|km2|abbr=on}}, making it the most populous ]. It borders ] to the north, ] and the ] to the east, ] and ] to the south, and ], ], ], and the ] to the west. The ] and ] is ] and its main financial centre is ]; the largest urban area is the ].


Settlement in the territory of modern Germany began in the ], with various tribes inhabiting it from the ] onward, chiefly the ]. Various ] ] have inhabited the northern parts of modern Germany since ]. A region named ] was documented before AD 100. In 962, the ] formed the bulk of the ]. During the 16th century, ] became the centre of the ]. Following the ] and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the ] was formed in 1815.
A federal union of 16 states (''Länder''), Germany did not become unified until ], though the ] and culture have a much longer history. For centuries, until ], Germany was a collection of states enjoying large autonomy inside the structure of the ]. A confederacy was formed that lasted from ] to ]. Under ], a unified Germany rapidly industrialized, but its quest for European pro-eminence was thwarted by its defeat in ]. The post-war indemnities forced by the Allies led to the rise of ] and his ], which ultimately plunged Germany (and the rest of the world) into ]. Germany was again defeated and occupied by the Allies, but the ] split the ], the American, and French zones of occupation from the ] zone into ] and ], respectively. With the collapse of ], the two Germanys reunited under the Federal Republic in 1990, though differences between east and west, along with chronic unemployment and slowing economic growth continue to challenge the country.


Formal ] into the modern ] commenced on 18 August 1866 with the ] establishing the ]-led ], which became the ] in 1871. After ] and the ], the Empire was replaced by the ]. The ] in 1933 led to the establishment of ], ], and ]. In 1949, ] and ], Germany was organized into ] with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, or ], and the German Democratic Republic, or ]. Berlin continued its '']'' ]. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the ] and the ], while the German Democratic Republic was a communist ] state and member of the ]. After ] of the ] in East Germany, ] saw the ] join the Federal Republic of Germany on ].
Germany has the world's third largest economy, behind the ] and ], and is noted for its iron, steel, machinery, and automobile industries. The Federal Republic of Germany is a member state of the ], ], the ] nations and a founder member of the ], now the ].


Germany has been described as a ] with ]; it has the ]. As a global power in industrial, ] sectors, it is both the world's ] and ]. As a ], it ], ], and ]. Germany is a member of the ], ], ] and ], and a founding member of the European Union, ] and ]. It has the ] of UNESCO ]s, ], of which 51 are cultural.
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"

|+<big>'''Bundesrepublik Deutschland'''</big>
== Etymology ==
| align="center" colspan="2"|
<!--linked-->
{| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:center;"
{{Further|Names of Germany|Germani|Germania}}
| width="130px"| ] || align=center width=130px| ]
The English word ''Germany'' derives from the Latin {{lang|la|Germania}}, which came into use after ] adopted it for the peoples east of the ].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/germany00hage/page/4 |title=Germany: A New History |last=Schulze |first=Hagen |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-674-80688-7 |page= |author-link=Hagen Schulze}}</ref> The ] term {{lang|de|Deutschland}}, originally {{lang|gmh|diutisciu land}} ('the German lands'), is derived from {{wikt-lang|de|deutsch}} (] '']''), descended from ] {{lang|goh|diutisc}} 'of the people' (from {{lang|goh|diot}} or {{lang|goh|diota}} 'people'), originally used to distinguish the ] from ] and its ]. This in turn descends from ] {{lang|gem-x-proto|]}} 'of the people' (see also the Latinised form {{lang|la|]}}), derived from {{lang|gem-x-proto|]}}, descended from ] *''{{PIE|]}}'' 'people', from which the word '']'' also originates.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA523 |title=Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Althochdeutschen, Band II |last1=Lloyd |first1=Albert L. |last2=Lühr |first2=Rosemarie |last3=Springer |first3=Otto |publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht |year=1998 |isbn=978-3-525-20768-0 |pages=699–704 |language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911012455/https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA523 |archivedate=11 September 2015 |url-status=live}} (for {{lang|goh|diutisc}}). {{cite book |last1=Lloyd |first1=Albert L. |title=Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Althochdeutschen, Band II |year=1998 |publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht |isbn=978-3-525-20768-0 |pages=685–686|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA516 |last2=Lühr |first2=Rosemarie |last3=Springer |first3=Otto |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916000730/https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA516 |archivedate=16 September 2015 }} (for {{lang|goh|diot}}).</ref>
|-
| width="130px"| (])
| align=center width=130px| (])
|}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | <small>''National ]: Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit<br>(]: Unity and Justice and Freedom)''</small>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 style="background:#f9f9f9;" | ]
|-
|''']''' || ]<sup>1</sup>
|-
|''']''' || ]
|-
|'''Largest City''' || ]
|-
|''']''' || ]
|-
|''']''' || ]
|-
|''']'''<br>- Total<br>- % water
|]<br>] <br>2.416%
|-
|''']'''<br>- Total (])<br>- ]
|]<br>82,531,700<br>242/km&sup2;
|-
|'''Formation<br>Unification<br><br><br>'''
|] (])<br>] ]<br>] ]<br>] ]
|-
|''']'''<br> - Total (])<br> - GDP/capita
|| ]<br>$2.271 trillion<br>$27,600
|-
|''']''' || ] (&euro;)<sup>2</sup>
|-
| ''']'''<br>- in ]
| ] (]+1)<br>] (]+2)
|-
| ''']''' || ]
|-
| ''']''' || ]
|-
| ''']''' || +49
|-
|colspan="2"| <small>
<sup>1</sup> ], ], ], ] and ] are officially recognized and protected as minority languages per the ].<br>
<sup>2</sup> Prior to ]: ].</small>
|}


== History == == History ==
{{main|History of Germany}} {{Main|History of Germany}}
{{For timeline|Timeline of German history}}


=== Prehistory ===
While the German language and the feeling of "]" go back more than a thousand years, the state now known as Germany was unified as a modern nation-state only in ], when the ], dominated by the ], was forged. This was the second German ''Reich'', usually translated as "empire", but also meaning "realm".
{{Main|Linear Pottery culture|Unetice culture|Urnfield culture|Celts}}
Pre-human ancestors, the '']'', who were present in Germany over 11&nbsp;million years ago, are theorized to be among the earliest ones to walk on two legs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McRae |first1=Mike |title=We Just Found an 11-Million-Year-Old Ancestor That Hints How Humans Began to Walk |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/discovery-of-a-new-11-million-year-old-ancestor-reveals-how-humans-began-to-walk |work=ScienceAlert |date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=7 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507215803/https://www.sciencealert.com/discovery-of-a-new-11-million-year-old-ancestor-reveals-how-humans-began-to-walk |url-status=live }}</ref> Ancient humans were present in Germany at least 600,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=G. A |last2=Krbetschek |first2=M |last3=Degering |first3=D |last4=Bahain |first4=J.-J |last5=Shao |first5=Q |last6=Falgueres |first6=C |last7=Voinchet |first7=P |last8=Dolo |first8=J.-M |last9=Garcia |first9=T |last10=Rightmire |first10=G. P |date=27 August 2010 |title=Radiometric dating of the type-site for Homo heidelbergensis at Mauer, Germany |journal=] |volume=107 |issue=46 |pages=19726–19730 |bibcode=2010PNAS..10719726W |doi=10.1073/pnas.1012722107 |pmc=2993404 |pmid=21041630 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The first non-modern human fossil (the ]) was discovered in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.html|publisher=Natural History Museum|title=Who were the Neanderthals?|last=Hendry|first=Lisa|date=5 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330003649/https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.html|archivedate=30 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly dated evidence of modern humans has been found in the ], including 42,000-year-old ] which are the oldest musical instruments ever found,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18196349 |title=Earliest music instruments found |date=25 May 2012 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903041534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18196349 |archivedate=3 September 2017 }}</ref> the 40,000-year-old ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ice-Age-iLion-Mani-is-worlds-earliest-figurative-sculpture/28595 |title=Ice Age Lion Man is world's earliest figurative sculpture |date=31 January 2013 |website=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215162121/http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ice-Age-iLion-Mani-is-worlds-earliest-figurative-sculpture/28595 |archivedate=15 February 2015 }}</ref> and the 41,000-year-old ].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07995|journal=Nature|volume=459|title=A female figurine from the basal Aurignacian of Hohle Fels Cave in southwestern Germany|last=Conard|first=Nicholas|year=2009|issue=7244|pages=248–252|doi=10.1038/nature07995|pmid=19444215|bibcode=2009Natur.459..248C|s2cid=205216692 |accessdate=12 March 2020|archivedate=12 February 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212045830/https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07995|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/news/press-releases/newsfullview-pressemitteilungen/article/es-muss-eigentlich-eine-frau-sein.html | title="It must be a woman" – The female depictions from Hohle Fels date to 40,000 years ago... | publisher=Universität Tübingen | date=July 22, 2016 | access-date=July 26, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011145105/https://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/news/press-releases/newsfullview-pressemitteilungen/article/es-muss-eigentlich-eine-frau-sein.html | archive-date=October 11, 2016 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The ], created during the ], has been attributed to a German site.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-6/nebra-sky-disc/ |title=Nebra Sky Disc |date=2013 |publisher=UNESCO |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011061740/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-6/nebra-sky-disc/ |archivedate=11 October 2014 }}</ref>


=== Germanic tribes, Roman frontier and the Frankish Empire ===
]s of the Holy Roman Empire. From ''Bildatlas der Deutschen Geschichte'' by Dr Paul Knötel (1895)]]
{{Main|Jastorf culture|Germanic peoples|Germania|Migration Period|Frankish Realm}}
'''From the Age of Charlemagne to the German Empire: 800-1871.''' The first ''Reich'' &ndash; known for much of its existence as the ] of the German Nation &ndash; stemmed from a division of the ] in ]. It was characterised by the continuous fragmentation of its constituent states until its demise. In the ], the ] was an important vector for German influence in Northern Europe. In ], the ] established a separate church that was acknowledged as a new ] in many states of Germany. This led to inter-German strife and the ] (]) that resulted in a drastically enfeebled and politically disunited Germany. It was thus unable to resist the stroke of the ], during which the ''Reich'' was overrun and dissolved (]). The collapse of Napoleon's empire did not restore it, however, and a loose ] was established instead.
] in ] ('']''), built in the 4th century]]
The ] are ] from the ] during the ] or early ].<ref name="Heather">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/History#ref58082 |title=Germany: Ancient History |last=Heather |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Heather |encyclopedia=] |accessdate=21 November 2020|archivedate=31 March 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331232159/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/History#ref58082 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Germanic Tribes (Teutons)|website=History Files |url=https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/BarbarianGermanics.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426121258/https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/BarbarianGermanics.htm |archivedate=26 April 2020 |url-status=live|accessdate=16 March 2020}}</ref> From southern ] and ], they expanded south, east, and west, coming into contact with the ], ], ], and ] tribes.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/unset0000unse_g6n9/page/35 |title=Medieval Experience: 300–1400 |last=Claster |first=Jill N. |publisher=New York University Press |year=1982 |isbn=978-0-8147-1381-5 |page=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hickey |first=Raymond |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/9781119485094.ch16?saml_referrer |title=The Handbook of Language Contact |date=2020 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |isbn=978-1119485025 |edition=2nd |pages=323&ndash;325|doi=10.1002/9781119485094.ch16 }}</ref> Southern Germany was inhabited by Celtic-speaking peoples, who belonged to the wider ]. They were later assimilated by the Germanic conquerors.<ref name="Heather2">{{cite web |last=Heather |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Heather |title=Germany: Ancient History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/History#ref58082 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331232159/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/History#ref58082 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |access-date=21 November 2020 |website=] }}</ref>


Under ], the ] began to invade lands inhabited by the Germanic tribes, creating a short-lived Roman province of ] between the Rhine and ] rivers. In 9&nbsp;AD, three ]s were ] by ] in the ].<ref>{{cite book|page=13|title=The Battle That Stopped Rome: Emperor Augustus, Arminius, and the Slaughter of the Legions in the Teutoburg Forest|last=Wells|first=Peter|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year=2004|isbn=978-0-393-35203-0}}</ref> The outcome of this battle dissuaded the Romans from their ambition of conquering ] and is thus considered one of the most important events in ].{{sfn|Murdoch|2004|p=57}} By 100&nbsp;AD, when ] wrote '']'', Germanic tribes had settled along the Rhine and the Danube (the ]), occupying most of modern Germany. However, ], southern ], southern ] and the western ] had been ] into ]s.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=9–13}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Modi |first=J. J. |date=1916 |title=The Ancient Germans: Their History, Constitution, Religion, Manners and Customs |url=https://archive.org/stream/TheJournalOfTheAnthropologicalSocietyOfBombay/The-Journal-of-the-Anthropological-society-of-Bombay#page/n651/mode/2up |journal=The Journal of the Anthropological Society of Bombay |volume=10 |issue=7 |quote=Raetia (modern Bavaria and the adjoining country) |page=647}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Cambridge Ancient History: X, The Augustan Empire, 43 B.C. – A.D. 69 |last=Rüger |first=C. |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-521-26430-3 |editor-last=Bowman |editor-first=Alan K. |edition=2nd |volume=10 |pages=527–28 |chapter=Germany |orig-year=1996 |editor-last2=Champlin |editor-first2=Edward |editor-last3=Lintott |editor-first3=Andrew |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZLW4-wba7UC&pg=PA528 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223193524/https://books.google.com/books?id=JZLW4-wba7UC&pg=PA528 |archivedate=23 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
'''German Empire: 1871-1918.''' The second ''Reich'', i.e. the ], was proclaimed in ] on ]th, ], after the French defeat in the ], ] having withdrawn from German affairs in the aftermath of the ].
It was the first German ] and marks the unification of the Germany's diverse principalities. The German Empire, now a major European power, began to establish colonies in Africa. The ] were marked by the beginning of an armaments race with Great Britain.
]


Around 260, Germanic peoples broke into Roman-controlled lands.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The crisis of empire, A.D. 193–337 |last1=Bowman |first1=Alan K. |last2=Garnsey |first2=Peter |last3=Cameron |first3=Averil |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-521-30199-2 |series=The Cambridge Ancient History |volume=12 |page=442}}</ref> After the invasion of the ] in 375, and with the decline of Rome from 395, Germanic tribes moved farther southwest: the Franks established the ] and pushed east to subjugate ] and ]. Areas of what is today eastern Germany were inhabited by ] tribes.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=9–13}}
'''World War I: 1914-1918.''' In the ], the German Empire fought on the side of the ] against, chiefly, ], ] and the ]. On the ], it soon became a ] with bloody battles, while in the east no decisive victories were won. On the ], Russia surrendered to the Germans after the ]s; but since the ] entry into the war in ], the strength relations between the combatants had turned in the favor of the ], and the favourable peace treaty of ] was overturned when, in November ], Germany surrendered to the Western Allies, ultimately ending the world war. The harsh peace terms codified in the ] caused resentment in the German population unprepared for the negative outcome.


{{Clear left}}
'''Weimar Republic: 1918-1933.''' After the ] had abdicated, the ]s proclaimed a Socialist Republic on the same evening as the ] proclaimed the ]. In the following months a ] and several ] were established to fight each other and the supporters of the Weimar Republic. However, on ], ], the ] ] ultimately came into effect. At this time the ] was also founded.


=== East Francia and the Holy Roman Empire ===
Chiefly due to extended post-war economic hardship<!-- aggravated by the harsh peace conditions dictated by the ] -->, and a general unpreparedness for ], unrest and weak confidence in the new state characterized the 1920s, but also a flourishing cultural life and German science retaining its world-leading position. German voters increasingly supported anti-democratic parties, both ] and ]. Anti-] and ] appealed to the voters. The situation detoriated further after the world wide ], and in two extraordinary elections of ], the most aggressive anti-parliamentarian parties together got more than the half of the seats, with 37% and then 33% of the votes to the Nazi Party, and about 16% of the votes to the Communists.
{{Main|East Francia|Holy Roman Empire}}
] in 843]]
], born in ] in 1483, challenged the indulgences of the ], giving rise to the ] and ].]]
] founded the ] in 800; it was ].{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 11}} The eastern successor kingdom of ] stretched from the Rhine in the west to the Elbe river in the east and from the North Sea to the Alps.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 11}} Subsequently, the Holy Roman Empire emerged from it. The ] rulers (919–1024) consolidated several major ].<ref>{{cite book|page=55|title=Franks and Saracens|last=Falk|first=Avner|publisher=Routledge|year=2018|isbn=978-0-429-89969-0}}</ref> In 996, ] became the first German Pope, appointed by his cousin ], whom he shortly after crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The Holy Roman Empire absorbed northern Italy and ] under the ] emperors (1024–1125), although the emperors lost power through the ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Lives of the Popes: The Pontiffs from St. Peter to Benedict XVI |last=McBrien, Richard |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2000 |page=138}}</ref>


Under the ] emperors (1138–1254), German princes encouraged German settlement to the south and east ({{lang|de|]}}).{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp= 19–20}} Members of the ], mostly north German towns, prospered in the expansion of trade.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp= 13–24}} The population declined starting with the ] in 1315, followed by the ] of 1348–1350.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nelson |first=Lynn Harry |url=http://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/black_death.html |title=The Great Famine (1315–1317) and the Black Death (1346–1351) |publisher=University of Kansas |accessdate=19 March 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429072010/http://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/black_death.html |archivedate=29 April 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ] issued in 1356 provided the constitutional structure of the Empire and codified the election of the emperor by seven ]s.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 27}}
The end of the ] came when on ], ], ] ] appointed ] ] with support from the center-right parties. A ] was used as an excuse for abolishing civil and political rights, and with the ], ], full legislative power was transferred to Hitler's government. A centralised ] state was established that ] did no longer follow the ].


] introduced moveable-type printing to Europe, laying the basis for the ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Eisenstein|first=Elizabeth|year=1980|pages=–43|title=The printing press as an agent of change|url=https://archive.org/details/printingpressasa00eise_181|url-access=limited|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-29955-8}}</ref> In 1517, ] incited the Protestant Reformation and ] began the standardization of the language; the 1555 ] tolerated the "Evangelical" faith (]), but also decreed that the faith of the prince was to be the faith of his subjects ({{lang|la|]}}).<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.barcelonagse.eu/sites/default/files/working_paper_pdfs/540.pdf|last=Cantoni|first=Davide |title=Adopting a New Religion: The Case of Protestantism in 16th Century Germany|year=2011 |journal=Barcelona GSE Working Paper Series |accessdate=17 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809160613/http://www.barcelonagse.eu/sites/default/files/working_paper_pdfs/540.pdf |archivedate=9 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> From the ] through the ]s (1618–1648), religious conflict devastated German lands and significantly reduced the population.<ref name="Philpott">{{Cite journal |last=Philpott |first=Daniel |date=January 2000 |title=The Religious Roots of Modern International Relations |journal=World Politics |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=206–245 |doi=10.1017/S0043887100002604|s2cid=40773221 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/savagewarsofpeac0000macf/page/51 |title=The Savage Wars of Peace: England, Japan and the Malthusian Trap |last=Macfarlane |first=Alan |publisher=Blackwell |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-631-18117-0 |page=}}</ref>
]
'''Third Reich: 1933-1945.''' The new regime quickly dissolved all trade unions, made Germany a ], and repressed all opposition. From ] onwards, 412 ]s were set up for groups and people perceived as threats. Open persecution of ]s began. In ], the Nazi Party was purged of internal left-wing opposition, concentrated to the ], in the ], ostensibly to end homosexual vices. In ] the ] came into force: Jews were deprived of their German citizenship, were banned from marrying Germans, and locked out from most of society. Science and cultural life was hit by a massive ]. Many who had the opportunity chose exile, and of them who didn't, many died before Nazi rule was over.


The ] ended religious warfare among the ]s.<ref name="Philpott" /> The legal system initiated by a series of ]s (approximately 1495–1555) provided for considerable local autonomy and a stronger ].<ref>{{cite book|page=113 |title=Law and Empire: Ideas, Practices, Actors|editor1=Jeroen Duindam |editor2=Jill Diana Harries |editor3=Caroline Humfress |editor4=Hurvitz Nimrod |publisher=Brill|year=2013|isbn=978-90-04-24951-6}}</ref> The ] held the imperial crown from 1438 until the death of ] in 1740. Following the ] and the ], Charles VI's daughter ] ruled as ] when her husband, ], became emperor.<ref>{{cite book|page=|title=Cultures of Power in Europe during the Long Eighteenth Century|editor1=Hamish Scott |editor2=Brendan Simms|year=2007 |url=https://archive.org/details/culturespowereur00scot_130|url-access=limited|isbn=978-1-139-46377-5 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=British Museum|accessdate=15 March 2020|url=https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?bioId=49231|title=Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152726/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG111929|url-status=live}}</ref>
In ], German troops entered the demilitarised ], violating the Versailles Treaty, but rebuilding national self-esteem. From ] onwards, Nazi Germany executed a policy of ], starting with the ], followed by the ] region in ]. In ], more of Czechoslovakia was annexed and a ]n ] was created of the remainder. To avoid a two-front war, the ] was concluded with the ], which immediately led to a ] against ] and ].


From 1740, ] between the Austrian ] and the ] dominated German history. In 1772, 1793, and 1795, Prussia and Austria, along with the ], agreed to the ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=A History of Eastern Europe: Crisis and Change |url=https://archive.org/details/historyeasterneu00bide_296 |url-access=limited |last1=Bideleux |first1=Robert |last2=Jeffries |first2=Ian |publisher=Routledge |year=1998 |page=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Region, State and Identity in Central and Eastern Europe |last1=Batt |first1=Judy |last2=Wolczuk |first2=Kataryna |publisher=Routledge |year=2002 |page=153}}</ref> During the period of the ], the ] and the subsequent ], most of the ] were annexed by dynastic territories; the ecclesiastical territories were secularised and annexed. In 1806 the {{lang|de|Imperium}} was dissolved; France, Russia, Prussia, and the Habsburgs (Austria) competed for hegemony in the German states during the ].{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 97}}
]
'''World War II: 1939-1945.''' In ], most of ] was occupied, but ] ]. In ], ] and ] was conquered, then the ] was attacked, and in December war was declared also on the ]. Thereby, Hitler had engaged enemies ultimately too strong for Germany, which started to become obvious by the defeat in February ] at the ]. German cities increasingly became targets of Allied air attacks, and in 1945 all of Germany was occupied by the Allies, Hitler suicided, the war was over, and most of Europe's cities were mere ruins


=== German Confederation and Empire ===
The Allied occupation revealed for the world, and for the German public, the scale of the racially motivated killing of civilians: chiefly ] from behind the Eastern Front and virtually all Jews from the territories in German hands. Figures for the ] in the East remain controversial and diverging, but the figure 6 million for the Jews who lost their lifes in the ]s of the ] is established.
{{Main|German question|German Confederation|Unification of Germany|German Empire|German colonial empire}}
] in 1815]]
Following the fall of ], the ] founded the German Confederation, a loose league of ]. The appointment of the ] as the permanent president reflected the Congress's rejection of ]'s rising influence. Disagreement within ] politics partly led to the rise of ] movements, followed by new measures of repression by Austrian statesman ].<ref>{{cite book|pages=307–308|title=The Wiley-Blackwell Dictionary of Modern European History Since 1789|editor1=Nicholas Atkin |editor2=Michael Biddiss |editor3=Frank Tallett|publisher=Wiley|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4443-9072-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=Austria, Prussia, and the German Confederation: The Defense of Central Europe, 1815–1854|last=Sondhaus|first=Lawrence|pages=50–74|editor1=Talbot C. Imlay |editor2=Monica Duffy Toft|title=The Fog of Peace and War Planning: Military and Strategic Planning under Uncertainty|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|isbn=978-1-134-21088-6}}</ref> The {{lang|de|]}}, a tariff union, furthered economic unity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Henderson |first=W. O. |date=January 1934 |title=The Zollverein |journal=History |volume=19 |issue=73 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-229X.1934.tb01791.x}}</ref> In light of ], intellectuals and commoners started the ], raising the German question. King ] was offered the title of emperor, but with a loss of power; he rejected the crown and the proposed constitution, a temporary setback for the movement.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=40963126|title='The Old Forms are Breaking Up, ... Our New Germany is Rebuilding Itself': Constitutionalism, Nationalism and the Creation of a German Polity during the Revolutions of 1848–49|last=Hewitson|first=Mark|journal=The English Historical Review|volume=125|number=516|pages=1173–1214|year=2010|doi=10.1093/ehr/ceq276}}</ref>


], described by the East German authorities as "a protection against fascists", partitioned the city from 1961 to 1989]] ], the main residence of the House of Hohenzollern]]
King ] appointed ] as the ] in 1862. Bismarck successfully concluded the ]; the subsequent decisive Prussian victory in the ] of 1866 enabled him to create the ] which excluded ]. After the defeat of France in the ], the German princes proclaimed the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Prussia was the dominant constituent state of the new empire; the King of Prussia ruled as its Kaiser, and Berlin became its capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/countries/issues/german-unification|title=Issues Relevant to U.S. Foreign Diplomacy: Unification of German States|publisher=US Department of State Office of the Historian|accessdate=18 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001095812/https://history.state.gov/countries/issues/german-unification|archivedate=1 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bismarck">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bismarck_otto_von.shtml|title=Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898)|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127025023/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bismarck_otto_von.shtml|archivedate=27 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Division of Germany: 1945-1990.''' The war resulted in ] and ] from what had been ]. The remaining German territory was occupied by the victors. The city of ], though lying in the Soviet zone, was partitioned among the four Allies as well, with ] being controlled by the Western allies.


In the {{lang|de|]}} period following the unification of Germany, Bismarck's foreign policy as ] secured Germany's position as a great nation by forging alliances and avoiding war.<ref name="bismarck" /> However, under ], Germany took an ] course, leading to friction with neighbouring countries.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=260734 |title=Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Politics|journal=Journal of Contemporary History|volume=25|year=1990|pages=289–316 |last1=Mommsen|first1=Wolfgang J.|issue=2/3|doi=10.1177/002200949002500207|s2cid=154177053 }}</ref> A ] was created with the ] of ]; the ] included Italy. Britain, France and Russia also concluded alliances to protect against Habsburg interference with Russian interests in the Balkans or German interference against France.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp= 135, 149}} At the ] in 1884, Germany claimed several ] including ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=100 maps |publisher=Sterling Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-4027-2885-3 |editor-last=Black, John |page=202}}</ref> Later, Germany further expanded its colonial empire to include holdings in the Pacific and China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/how-imperial-germany-lost-asia/|magazine=The Diplomat|title=How Imperial Germany Lost Asia|last=Farley|first=Robert|date=17 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319015901/https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/how-imperial-germany-lost-asia/|archivedate=19 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The colonial government in South West Africa (present-day ]), from 1904 to 1907, carried out the ] as punishment for an uprising;<ref>{{cite book|last1=Olusoga|first1= David |last2= Erichsen|first2= Casper |year=2010|title= The Kaiser's Holocaust: Germany's Forgotten Genocide and the Colonial Roots of Nazism|publisher= Faber and Faber|isbn=978-0-571-23141-6}}</ref><ref name="Bazyler">{{Cite book|title=Holocaust, Genocide, and the Law: A Quest for Justice in a Post-Holocaust World|author=Michael Bazyler|author-link=Michael Bazyler|date=2016|pages=169–70|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> this was the 20th century's first ].<ref name="Bazyler" />
In ], during the ], Western forces ] ], after it had been cut off from ]-controlled ]. West Germany benefitted from the American ] for the reconstruction of Europe after the war and was a founding state of the ]. The reconstructed ] once again became one of the world's major economies. ] and ] were restored and stabilised to prevent a second Weimar Republic. After fierce initial ], openings were made towards the Soviet Union during ]'s chancellorship.


] of ] on 28 June 1914 provided the pretext for Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia and trigger ]. After four years of warfare, in which approximately two million German soldiers were killed,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/aged-107-last-german-world-war-i-veteran-believed-to-have-died-a-530319.html |title=Last German World War I veteran believed to have died |last=Crossland |first=David |date=22 January 2008 |work=Spiegel Online |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008172434/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/aged-107-last-german-world-war-i-veteran-believed-to-have-died-a-530319.html |archivedate=8 October 2012 }}</ref> a ] ended the fighting. In the ] (November 1918), Wilhelm II and the ruling princes ] their positions, and Germany was declared a ]. Germany's new leadership signed the ] in 1919, accepting defeat by the ]. Germans perceived the treaty as humiliating, which was seen by historians as influential in the rise of ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Versailles: A Reassessment after 75 Years |last1=Boemeke |first1=Manfred F. |last2=Feldman |first2=Gerald D. |last3=Glaser |first3=Elisabeth |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-521-62132-8 |series=Publications of the German Historical Institute |pages=1–20, 203–220, 469–505 }}</ref> Germany lost around 13% of its European territory and ceded all of its colonial possessions in Africa and the Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/media_nm.php?MediaId=1620 |title=GERMAN TERRITORIAL LOSSES, TREATY OF VERSAILLES, 1919 |publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704070745/https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/media_nm.php?MediaId=1620 |archivedate=4 July 2016 |accessdate=11 June 2016}}</ref>
], by contrast, became one of the socialist ]s of the ]. The flight of growing numbers of East Germans via West Berlin led on ], ], to East Germany erecting the ] and a fortified border to West Germany.


=== Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany ===
] is a symbol of division and reunification.]]
{{Main|Weimar Republic|Nazi Germany}}
'''Reunification: 1989/1990.''' During the summer of ], following growing unrest, large numbers of ] citizens took refuge in ] embassies in ] and ] countries in the hope of emigrating to the West. The East German government's confusion grew during the autumn of 1989, as events all over the Warsaw Pact countries turned to the favour of proponents of democracy. On November 9th, the East German authorities unexpectedly allowed East German citizens to enter West Berlin and West Germany. Hundreds of thousands of people took advantage of the opportunity; new crossing points were opened in the Berlin Wall and along the border with West Germany. This marked the ''de facto'' end of East Germany.
], dictator of ] from 1933 to 1945|upright]]
] in 1942 during ] with areas controlled by the German Reich shown in bold black]]
On 11 August 1919, President ] signed the democratic ].{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=156–160}} ] and a few larger cities, while conservative elements failed to overthrow the central government in the 1920 ]. The ] by Belgian and French troops and a period of ] followed. A ] and the creation of a ] in 1924 helped stabilise the government and ushered in the ], an era of artistic innovation and liberal cultural life.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nicholls |first=AJ |title=Weimar and the Rise of Hitler |publisher=Macmillan |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-333-05806-0 |pages=56–70 |chapter=1919–1922: Years of Crisis and Uncertainty}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|jstor=3113137|title=The United States and the Reconstruction of Germany in the 1920s|first=Frank|last=Costigliola |journal=The Business History Review |volume=50 |number=4|year=1976|pages=477–502|doi=10.2307/3113137|s2cid=155602870 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=86|title=The Weimar Republic|last=Kolb|first=Eberhard|edition=2nd|publisher=Psychology Press |year=2005|isbn=978-0-415-34441-8|translator1=P. S. Falla |translator2=R. J. Park}}</ref>


The worldwide ] hit Germany in 1929, and by 1932 the unemployment rate had risen to 24%.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dimsdale |first1=Nicholas H. |last2=Horsewood |first2=Nicholas |last3=Van Riel |first3=Arthur |date=September 2006 |title=Unemployment in Interwar Germany: An Analysis of the Labor Market, 1927&ndash;1936 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/216448809 |journal=Journal of Economic History |volume=66 |issue=3 |page=778 |id={{ProQuest|216448809}} |via=ProQuest}}</ref> The ] led by ] became the largest party in the Reichstag after ], and ] appointed Hitler chancellor on 30 January 1933.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=155–158, 172–177}} After the ], a ] abrogated basic ], and the first ] opened.<ref>{{cite book|first=Richard |last=Evans|title=The Coming of the Third Reich|publisher= Penguin|year= 2003|isbn=978-0-14-303469-8|page=344}}</ref><ref name="MNN">{{Cite journal |date=21 March 1933 |title=Ein Konzentrationslager für politische Gefangene in der Nähe von Dachau |url=http://www.holocaust-history.org/dachau-gas-chambers/photo.cgi?02 |journal=Münchner Neueste Nachrichten|language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000510093525/http://www.holocaust-history.org/dachau-gas-chambers/photo.cgi?02 |archivedate=10 May 2000}}</ref> On 23 March 1933, the ] gave Hitler unrestricted legislative power, overriding the constitution,<ref>{{cite web |first1=Marc |last1=von Lüpke-Schwarz |title=The law that 'enabled' Hitler's dictatorship |url=https://www.dw.com/en/the-law-that-enabled-hitlers-dictatorship/a-16689839 |date=23 March 2013 |website=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427005942/https://www.dw.com/en/the-law-that-enabled-hitlers-dictatorship/a-16689839 |archivedate=27 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and marked the beginning of Nazi Germany. His government established a centralised ], ], and dramatically increased the country's ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/nazi/wirtschaft/index.html |title=Industrie und Wirtschaft |publisher=Deutsches Historisches Museum |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430190641/http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/nazi/wirtschaft/index.html |archivedate=30 April 2011 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> A government-sponsored programme for economic renewal focused on public works, the most famous of which was the {{lang|de|]}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Evans|first= Richard |year=2005|title=The Third Reich in Power|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-14-303790-3|pages=–326, 329 |url=https://archive.org/details/thirdreichinpowe00evan|url-access=registration}}</ref>
On July 1st ], economic, currency and social union between the two Germanys prepared the way for a full union. The ] of the two Germanys came into force on October 3rd, which was declared a national public holiday (]).


In 1935, the regime withdrew from the Treaty of Versailles and introduced the ] which targeted ] and other minorities.<ref>{{cite web|magazine=Prologue|last=Bradsher|first=Greg|year=2010 |title=The Nuremberg Laws |url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/winter/nuremberg.html |volume=42|accessdate=20 March 2020|url-status=live|archivedate=25 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425130322/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/winter/nuremberg.html}}</ref> Germany also reacquired control of the ] in 1935,{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=188–189}} ] in 1936, ] Austria in 1938, ] the Sudetenland in 1938 with the ], and in violation of the agreement ] in March 1939.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/descent-into-war.htm |publisher=National Archives|title=Descent into War|accessdate=19 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320015948/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/descent-into-war.htm|archivedate=20 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> {{lang|de|]}} (Night of Broken Glass) saw the burning of synagogues, the destruction of Jewish businesses, and mass arrests of Jewish people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007697 |title=The "Night of Broken Glass" |publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075203/https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007697 |archivedate=11 February 2017 |accessdate=8 February 2017}}</ref>
== Politics ==
''Main article: ]''


In August 1939, ] negotiated the ] that divided Eastern Europe into German and ] spheres of influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact|title=German-Soviet Pact|publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|accessdate=19 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311115713/https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact|archivedate=11 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 September 1939, Germany ], beginning ];{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=190–195}} Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hiden|first1=John|last2=Lane|first2= Thomas|year=200|title=The Baltic and the Outbreak of the Second World War|publisher=Cambridge University Press |url=https://archive.org/details/balticoutbreakse00hide |url-access=limited|isbn=978-0-521-53120-7 |pages=–144}}</ref> In the spring of 1940, Germany ], ], ], ], and ], forcing the French government to sign an ]. The British repelled German air attacks in the ] in the same year. In 1941, German troops ], ] and the ]. By 1942, Germany and its allies controlled most of ] and ], but following the Soviet victory at the ], the Allied ] and ] in 1943, German forces suffered repeated military defeats. In 1944, the Soviets ]; the Western allies ] and entered Germany despite a ]. Following ] during the ], ] on 8 May 1945, ]{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=190–195}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-key-dates|publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|title=World War II: Key Dates|accessdate=19 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311150818/https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-key-dates|archivedate=11 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and Nazi Germany. Following the end of the war, surviving Nazi officials were tried for ] at the ].<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|first=Ian|last=Kershaw|title=Stalinism and Nazism: dictatorships in comparison|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1997|page=150|isbn=978-0-521-56521-9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/nuremberg_article_01.shtml |title=Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial |last=Overy |first=Richard |date=17 February 2011 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316053707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/nuremberg_article_01.shtml |archivedate=16 March 2011 }}</ref>
Germany is a constitutional federal ], whose political system is laid out in the 1949 ] called '']'' (Basic Law). It has a ] in which the ], the ] (Chancellor), is elected by the parliament.


In what later became known as ], the German government persecuted ], including interning them in concentration and ] across Europe. The regime systematically murdered 6&nbsp;million Jews, at least 130,000 ], 275,000 ], thousands of ], thousands of ], and hundreds of thousands of ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust |url=https://archive.org/details/columbiaguidetot00niew |url-access=registration |last1=Niewyk |first1=Donald L. |last2=Nicosia, Francis R. |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-231-11200-0 |pages=–52}}</ref> ] resulted in the deaths of an estimated 2.7&nbsp;million ],<ref>{{cite book |title= Polska 1939–1945: Straty osobowe i ofiary represji pod dwiema okupacjami |publisher=Institute of National Remembrance|page=9|year=2009}}</ref> 1.3&nbsp;million ], 1&nbsp;million ] and 3.5&nbsp;million ].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Maksudov|first=S|year=1994 |title=Soviet Deaths in the Great Patriotic War: A Note|journal=Europe-Asia Studies|volume=46|number=4 |pages=671–680 |doi=10.1080/09668139408412190|pmid=12288331}}</ref><ref name="books.google.com" /> ] have been estimated at 5.3&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Deutsche militärische Verluste im Zweiten Weltkrieg |last=Overmans, Rüdiger |year=2000 |publisher=Oldenbourg |isbn=978-3-486-56531-7}}</ref> and around 900,000 German civilians died.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The End; Germany 1944–45 |last=Kershaw |first=Ian |publisher=Allen Lane |year=2011 |page=279}}</ref> Around ] from across Eastern Europe, and Germany lost roughly ] of its pre-war territory.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Demshuk|first=Andrew|year=2012|title=The Lost German East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySLyE6YJEn0C&pg=PA52 |isbn=978-1-107-02073-3|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201215323/https://books.google.com/books?id=ySLyE6YJEn0C&pg=PA52 |archivedate=1 December 2016|url-status=live|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=52}}</ref>
]]]


=== East and West Germany ===
'''Parliament.''' German Parliament is made up of the ] and the ]. The supreme legislative body is the Bundestag (Federal Assembly), the lower house of Parliament, which is elected every four years. It in turn elects the Federal Chancellor (]. The Bundesrat (Federal Council), the upper house of Parliament, represents the 16 federal states (]) and cooperates in law-making and administering the federation. Its members are appointed by the individual ''Länder'', or states. Lately, there has been much concern about the ] and the ] blocking each other, making effective government very difficult.
{{Main|History of Germany (1945–1990)|Allied-occupied Germany|West Germany|East Germany}}
] during ] in 1989 and the ] (background) was one of the first developments in the end of the ], leading ultimately to the dissolution of the ].]]


After ] surrendered, the ] ''de jure'' ] the German state and partitioned ] and Germany's remaining territory into four occupation zones. The western sectors, controlled by France, the ], and the ], were merged on 23 May 1949 to form the ] ({{langx|de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}); on 7 October 1949, the Soviet Zone became the ] (GDR) ({{langx|de|Deutsche Demokratische Republik}}; DDR). They were informally known as West Germany and East Germany.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1093/hwj/dbp009|year=2009|title=Trabant and Beetle: the Two Germanies, 1949–89|journal=History Workshop Journal|volume=68|pages=1–2}}</ref> East Germany selected ] as its capital, while West Germany chose ] as a provisional capital, to emphasise its stance that the two-state solution was temporary.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Capital dilemma: Germany's search for a new architecture of democracy |last=Wise |first=Michael Z. |publisher=Princeton Architectural Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-56898-134-5 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/capitaldilemmage0000wise/page/23 }}</ref>


West Germany was established as a federal parliamentary republic with a "]". Starting in 1948 West Germany became a major recipient of reconstruction aid under the American ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Economic Growth in Europe Since 1945 |last=Carlin, Wendy |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-521-49964-4 |editor-last=Crafts, Nicholas |page=464 |chapter=West German growth and institutions (1945–90) |editor-last2=Toniolo, Gianni}}</ref> ] was elected the first ] in 1949. The country enjoyed prolonged economic growth ({{lang|de|]}}) beginning in the early 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bpb.de/izpb/10131/wirtschaft-in-beiden-deutschen-staaten-teil-1 |title=Deutschland in den 50er Jahren: Wirtschaft in beiden deutschen Staaten |first=Werner|last= Bührer |date=24 December 2002 |publisher=Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung |trans-title=Economy in both German states |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201210446/http://www.bpb.de/izpb/10131/wirtschaft-in-beiden-deutschen-staaten-teil-1 |archivedate=1 December 2017 |issue=256}}</ref> West Germany joined ] in 1955 and was a founding member of the ].<ref>{{cite book|page=149|title=A History of Germany 1918–2014: The Divided Nation|publisher=Wiley|last=Fulbrook|first=Mary|year=2014|isbn=978-1-118-77613-1}}</ref> On 1 January 1957, the ] joined West Germany.<ref name=CS>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/germany/51.htm|title=Rearmament and the European Defense Community|work=]|accessdate=19 May 2023|archive-date=11 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011201535/http://countrystudies.us/germany/51.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
]
'''Head of state.''' The function of ] is performed by the Federal President (]). He is elected every five years by the Federal Assembly (the ] plus the corresponding number of ] representatives), and his powers are limited mostly to ceremonial and representative duties.


East Germany was an ] state under political and military control by the ] via occupation forces and the ]. Although East Germany claimed to be a democracy, political power was exercised solely by leading members ({{lang|de|]}}) of the communist-controlled ], supported by the {{lang|de|]|italic=no}}, an immense secret service.<ref>{{cite book|pages=22, 41|title=The Workers' and Peasants' State: Communism and Society in East Germany Under Ulbricht 1945–71|last1=Major|first1=Patrick|last2=Osmond|first2=Jonathan|publisher=Manchester University Press|year=2002|isbn=978-0-7190-6289-6}}</ref> While ] was based on the benefits of the GDR's social programmes and the alleged threat of a West German invasion, many of its citizens looked to the West for freedom and prosperity.<ref name="NYT_19890822">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/22/world/westward-tide-of-east-germans-is-a-popular-no-confidence-vote.html |title=Westward Tide of East Germans Is a Popular No-Confidence Vote |last=Protzman |first=Ferdinand |date=22 August 1989 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004232849/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/22/world/westward-tide-of-east-germans-is-a-popular-no-confidence-vote.html |archivedate=4 October 2012}}</ref> The ], built in 1961, prevented East German citizens from escaping to West Germany, becoming a symbol of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/places/berlin_wall |title=The Berlin Wall |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226011158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/places/berlin_wall |archivedate=26 February 2017 |accessdate=8 February 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
'''Federal Constitutional Court.''' The Federal Constitutional Court (]), located in ], acts as the highest legal authority and ensures that legislative and judicial practice conforms with the ], the German constitution. It acts independently of the other state bodies but cannot act on its own behalf.


Tensions between East and West Germany were reduced in the late 1960s by Chancellor ]'s {{lang|de|]}}.<ref>{{cite book|pages=122–123|title=The European Defence Initiative: Europe's Bid for Equality|last=Williams|first=Geoffrey|publisher=Springer|year=1986|isbn=978-1-349-07825-7}}</ref> In 1989, Hungary decided to dismantle the ] and ], causing the emigration of thousands of East Germans to West Germany via Hungary and Austria. This had devastating effects on the GDR, where regular ] received increasing support. In an effort to help retain East Germany as a state, the East German authorities eased border restrictions, but this actually led to an acceleration of the {{lang|de|Wende}} reform process culminating in the '']'' under which Germany regained full sovereignty. This permitted ] on 3 October 1990, with the accession of the ] of the former GDR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wendemuseum.org/sites/default/files/10-9-09Iconoclash%20updated%20brochure_small.pdf|publisher=Wende Museum|title=Iconoclash! Political Imagery from the Berlin Wall to German Unification|last=Deshmukh|first=Marion|accessdate=20 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152657/https://www.wendemuseum.org/sites/default/files/10-9-09Iconoclash%20updated%20brochure_small.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The fall of the Wall in 1989 became a symbol of the ], the ], German reunification and {{lang|de|]}} ("the turning point").<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/views/y/1999/11/burns.wall.nov8 |title=What the Berlin Wall still stands for |date=8 November 1999 |work=CNN Interactive |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206104205/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/views/y/1999/11/burns.wall.nov8/ |archivedate=6 February 2008}}</ref>
'''Social welfare.''' Germany's ] system has deep roots, which go back to the strong bonds between individual and society which grew out of the ], to the revival of the ]n state after the ], as well as to the early ]; and the welfare system remains one of the aspects of the German society of which most Germans are quite proud. The system provides for universal (but not government-run) medical care, unemployment compensation, child benefits, and other social needs. As in other Northern/Western European countries with similar systems, many economists consider a reform process of the ] to be necessary and this is currently (]) a major theme in domestic politics.


=== Reunified Germany and the European Union ===
'''Foreign relations.''' Together with ], Germany plays a leading role in the ]. Germany is at the forefront of European states seeking to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European political, defense, and security apparatus. In ] ]'s government broke with the German post-war tradition of keeping a notably low profile in international relations by sending German troops into combat for the first time since ], when it joined the ] against ]. Currently, Germany also has troops stationed in ]. More recently, a German permanent seat on the ] has become one of Schröder's major foreign policy objectives.
{{Main|German reunification|History of Germany since 1990}}
United Germany was considered the enlarged continuation of ] so it retained its memberships in international organisations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/einigvtr/art_11.html |title=Vertrag zwischen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik über die Herstellung der Einheit Deutschlands (Einigungsvertrag) Art 11 Verträge der Bundesrepublik Deutschland |publisher=Bundesministerium für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225035417/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/einigvtr/art_11.html |archivedate=25 February 2015 |accessdate=15 May 2015}}</ref> Based on the ] (1994), ] again became the capital of Germany, while ] obtained the unique status of a {{lang|de|Bundesstadt}} (federal city) retaining some federal ministries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/berlin_bonng/gesamt.pdf |title=Gesetz zur Umsetzung des Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages vom 20. Juni 1991 zur Vollendung der Einheit Deutschlands |date=26 April 1994 |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |language=German |trans-title=Law on the Implementation of the Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages vom 20. Juni 1991 zur Vollendung der Einheit Deutschlands |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714155722/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/berlin_bonng/gesamt.pdf |archivedate=14 July 2016 }}</ref> The relocation of the government was completed in 1999, and modernisation of the East German economy was scheduled to last until 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.focus.de/panorama/boulevard/brennpunkt-hauptstadt-umzug_aid_175751.html |title=Brennpunkt: Hauptstadt-Umzug |date=12 April 1999 |work=Focus |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430043907/http://www.focus.de/panorama/boulevard/brennpunkt-hauptstadt-umzug_aid_175751.html |archivedate=30 April 2011 |language=German}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/world/europe/19germany.html |title=In East Germany, a Decline as Stark as a Wall |last=Kulish |first=Nicholas |date=19 June 2009 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403073216/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/world/europe/19germany.html |archivedate=3 April 2011}}</ref>


Since reunification, Germany has taken a more active role in the ], signing the ] in 1992 and the ] in 2007,<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=20787989|title=Germany's EU Policy: The Domestic Discourse|last=Lemke|first=Christiane|journal=German Studies Review|volume=33|number= 3 |year= 2010|pages= 503–516}}</ref> and co-founding the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/09/world/europe/eurozone-fast-facts/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Eurozone Fast Facts|date=21 January 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321015105/https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/09/world/europe/eurozone-fast-facts/index.html|archivedate=21 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany sent a peacekeeping force to secure stability in the ] and sent ] to ] as part of a NATO effort to provide ] after the ousting of the ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/world/europe/31iht-germany.3343963.html |title=Germany is planning a Bosnia withdrawal |last=Dempsey |first=Judy |date=31 October 2006 |work=International Herald Tribune |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111000841/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/world/europe/31iht-germany.3343963.html |archivedate=11 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-extend-afghanistan-military-mission/a-47501552 |work=] |title=Germany to extend Afghanistan military mission |first=Ben |last=Knight |date=13 February 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304064259/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-extend-afghanistan-military-mission/a-47501552 |archivedate=4 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Germany and France were protagonists of the coalition of nations opposing the ], which was led by the ], together with a "Coalition of the Willing" including ], ], ], the ] ], and several other nations.


In the ], ] became the first female chancellor. In 2009, the German government approved a €50&nbsp;billion stimulus plan.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20090106-germany-agrees-new-50-billion-euro-stimulus-plan |title=Germany agrees on 50-billion-euro stimulus plan |date=6 January 2009 |work=France 24 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513022443/http://www.france24.com/en/20090106-germany-agrees-new-50-billion-euro-stimulus-plan |archivedate=13 May 2011}}</ref> Among the major German political projects of the early 21st century are the advancement of ], the ] ({{lang|de|Energiewende}}) for a ] supply, the ] for balanced budgets, measures to increase the ] (]), and high-tech strategies for the transition of the German economy, summarised as ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merkel-regierungserklaerung110.html |title=Government declaration by Angela Merkel |date=29 January 2014 |publisher=ARD Tagesschau |language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101010608/http://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merkel-regierungserklaerung110.html |archivedate=1 January 2015}}</ref> During the ], the country took in over a million refugees and migrants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911 |title=Migrant crisis: Migration to Europe explained in seven charts |date=28 January 2016 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131030536/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911 |archivedate=31 January 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
==States==
''Main article: ]''


== Geography ==
Germany is divided into sixteen ]s (in German called ''Bundesländer'', singular '']''). It is further subdivided into 439 '']'' (districts) and cities (''kreisfreie Städte'') (]).
{{Main|Geography of Germany}}
]
Germany is the ].<ref name="CIA">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany/ |title=Germany |website=World Factbook |publisher=CIA |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archivedate=9 January 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075739/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany |url-status=live }}</ref> It borders ] to the north, ] and ] to the east, ] and ] to the south, and ], ], ], and the ] to the west. Germany is also bordered by the North Sea and, at the north-northeast, by the Baltic Sea. German territory covers {{convert|357596|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=area/> Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Alps (highest point: the ] at {{convert|2963|m|ft|0|disp=or}}) in the south to the shores of the North Sea ({{lang|de|Nordsee}}) in the northwest and the ] ({{lang|de|Ostsee}}) in the northeast. The forested uplands of central Germany and the lowlands of northern Germany (lowest point: in the municipality ], ] at {{convert|3.54|m|ft|1|disp=or}} below sea level<ref>{{cite journal|title=17: Gebiet und geografische Angaben|journal=Statistische Jahrbuch Schleswig-Holstein 2019/2020|page=307|publisher=Statistisches Amt für Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein|date=2020|language=de|url=https://www.statistik-nord.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Jahrb%C3%BCcher/Schleswig-Holstein/JB19SH_17_fertig.pdf|accessdate=8 September 2020|archivedate=28 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028083227/https://www.statistik-nord.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Jahrb%C3%BCcher/Schleswig-Holstein/JB19SH_17_fertig.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>) are traversed by such major rivers as the Rhine, ] and Elbe. Significant natural resources include iron ore, coal, ], timber, ], ], copper, natural gas, salt, and nickel.<ref name="CIA" />


=== Climate ===
]
Most of Germany has a ] climate, ranging from ] in the north and west to ] in the east and southeast. Winters range from the cold in the Southern Alps to cool and are generally overcast with limited precipitation, while summers can vary from hot and dry to cool and rainy. The northern regions have prevailing westerly winds that bring in moist air from the North Sea, moderating the temperature and increasing precipitation. Conversely, the southeast regions have more extreme temperatures.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Climate|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|title=Germany: Climate|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124307/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Climate|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
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!] !! ] !! ] !!
From February 2019 – 2020, average monthly temperatures in Germany ranged from a low of {{convert|3.3|C}} in January 2020 to a high of {{convert|19.8|C}} in June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/982472/average-monthly-temperature-germany/|website=Statista|title=Average monthly temperature in Germany from February 2019 to February 2020|date=February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124304/https://www.statista.com/statistics/982472/average-monthly-temperature-germany/|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Average monthly precipitation ranged from 30 litres per square metre in February and April 2019 to 125 litres per square metre in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/982744/average-monthly-precipitation-germany/|website=Statista|title=Average monthly precipitation in Germany from February 2019 to February 2020|date=February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124319/https://www.statista.com/statistics/982744/average-monthly-precipitation-germany/|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Average monthly hours of sunshine ranged from 45 in November 2019 to 300 in June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/982758/average-sunshine-hours-germany/|title=Average monthly sunshine hours in Germany from February 2019 to February 2020|website=Statista|date=February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124317/https://www.statista.com/statistics/982758/average-sunshine-hours-germany/|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity ===
] in ]]]
The territory of Germany can be divided into five terrestrial ]s: ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|doi-access=free|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, 51% of Germany's land area is devoted to agriculture, while 30% is forested and 14% is covered by settlements or infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/climate-impact-farming-land-use-change-and-forestry-germany|title=Climate impact of farming, land use (change) and forestry in Germany|last=Appunn|first=Kerstine|website=Clean Energy Wire|date=30 October 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513071605/https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/climate-impact-farming-land-use-change-and-forestry-germany|archivedate=13 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Plants and animals include those generally common to Central Europe. According to the National Forest Inventory, ], ]s, and other ] trees constitute just over 40% of the forests; roughly 60% are ], particularly ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundeswaldinventur.de/en/third-national-forest-inventory/the-forest-habitat-more-biological-diversity-in-the-forests/spruce-pine-beech-oak-the-most-common-tree-species/|accessdate=23 March 2020|title=Spruce, pine, beech, oak – the most common tree species|website=Third National Forest Inventory|publisher=Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013625/https://www.bundeswaldinventur.de/en/third-national-forest-inventory/the-forest-habitat-more-biological-diversity-in-the-forests/spruce-pine-beech-oak-the-most-common-tree-species/|archivedate=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> There are many species of ]s, ], ], and ]. Wild animals include ], ], ] (a subspecies of wild sheep), ], ], ], and small numbers of the ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Adventure Guide Germany |last=Bekker |first=Henk |publisher=Hunter |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-58843-503-3 |page=14}}</ref> The blue ] was once a German ].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g5GBAAAAMAAJ |title=Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe: Herbs |last1=Marcel Cleene |last2=Marie Claire Lejeune |publisher=Man & Culture |year=2002 |pages=194–196 |isbn=978-90-77135-04-4 |accessdate=3 June 2020 |archivedate=6 June 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606042551/https://books.google.com/books?id=g5GBAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ] include the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/national-parks.html|title=National Parks|publisher=Federal Agency for Nature Conservation|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013623/https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/national-parks.html|archivedate=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, there are ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/biosphere-reserves.html|title=Biosphere reserves|publisher=Federal Agency for Nature Conservation|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013622/https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/biosphere-reserves.html|archivedate=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/nature-parks.html|title=Nature parks|publisher=Federal Agency for Nature Conservation|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419120316/https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/nature-parks.html|archivedate=19 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> More than ] operate in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americanzoos.info/Zoofacts.html |title=Zoo Facts |publisher=Zoos and Aquariums of America |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031007010357/http://www.americanzoos.info/Zoofacts.html |archivedate=7 October 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2011}}</ref> The ], which opened in 1844, is the oldest in Germany, and claims the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.zoo-berlin.de/zoo/unternehmen/historie.html |title=Der Zoologische Garten Berlin |publisher=Zoo Berlin |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430015152/http://www.zoo-berlin.de/zoo/unternehmen/historie.html |archivedate=30 April 2011 |accessdate=19 March 2011}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Germany|Taxation in Germany|Federal budget of Germany}}
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = Bundespräsident_Frank-Walter_Steinmeier_auf_den_Stufen_der_Villa_Hammerschmidt_in_Bonn.jpg
| alt1 = Frank-Walter Steinmeier
| caption1 = ]<br />] since 2017
| image2 = Olaf Scholz 2024.jpg
| alt2 = Olaf Scholz
| caption2 = ]<br />] since 2021
}}

Germany is a ], ], ] republic. Federal ] is vested in the parliament consisting of the {{lang|de|]}} (Federal Diet) and {{lang|de|]}} (Federal Council), which together form the legislative body. The {{lang|de|Bundestag}} is elected through ]s using the ] system. The members of the {{lang|de|Bundesrat}} represent and are appointed by the governments of the sixteen federated states.<ref name="CIA" /> The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitution known as the {{lang|de|]}} (Basic Law). Amendments generally require a two-thirds majority of both the {{lang|de|Bundestag}} and the {{lang|de|Bundesrat}}; the fundamental principles of the constitution, as expressed in the articles guaranteeing human dignity, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the ], are valid in perpetuity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf |title=Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany |date=October 2010 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619180331/https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf |archivedate=19 June 2017 |accessdate=14 April 2011}}</ref>

], currently ], is the ] and invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the {{lang|de|]}} (federal convention), an institution consisting of the members of the {{lang|de|Bundestag}} and an equal number of state delegates.<ref name="CIA" /> The second-highest official in the ] is the {{lang|de|Bundestagspräsident}} (]), who is elected by the {{lang|de|Bundestag}} and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/election-2013-the-german-parliament/a-17100952|website=DW|title=Election 2013: The German parliament|date=19 September 2013|last=Seiffert|first=Jeanette|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328230357/https://www.dw.com/en/election-2013-the-german-parliament/a-17100952|archivedate=28 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The third-highest official and the ] is the chancellor, who is appointed by the {{lang|de|Bundespräsident}} after being elected by the party or coalition with the most seats in the {{lang|de|Bundestag}}.<ref name="CIA" /> The chancellor, currently ], is the head of government and exercises ] through ].<ref name="CIA" />

Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the ] and the ]. So far every chancellor has been a member of one of these parties. However, the smaller liberal ] and the ] have also been junior partners in ]s. Since 2007, the democratic socialist party ] has been a staple in the German {{lang|de|Bundestag}}, though they have never been part of the federal government. In the ], the right-wing populist ] gained enough votes to attain representation in the parliament for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-political-parties-cdu-csu-spd-afd-fdp-left-party-greens-what-you-need-to-know/a-38085900|website=DW|date=7 June 2019|title=Germany's political parties CDU, CSU, SPD, AfD, FDP, Left party, Greens – what you need to know|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214204745/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-political-parties-cdu-csu-spd-afd-fdp-left-party-greens-what-you-need-to-know/a-38085900|archivedate=14 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/german-election-results-exit-poll-2017-live-latest-afd-mps-merkel-alternative-a7964796.html|website=The Independent|title=German elections: Far-right wins MPs for first time in half a century|last=Stone|first=Jon|date=24 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227224650/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/german-election-results-exit-poll-2017-live-latest-afd-mps-merkel-alternative-a7964796.html|archivedate=27 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Constituent states ===
{{Main|States of Germany|Federalism in Germany|List of current Minister-presidents of the German federal states}}
Germany is a ] and comprises sixteen ] which are collectively referred to as {{lang|de|Länder}}.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany |title=Germany |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |url-status=live |accessdate=18 March 2021 |archivedate=13 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613043752/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany }}</ref> Each state ({{lang|de|Land}}) has its own constitution,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp |title=Example for state constitution: "Constitution of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia" |publisher=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117011619/http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp |archivedate=17 January 2013 |accessdate=17 July 2011}}</ref> and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation.<ref name="Britannica" /> {{As of|2017}}, Germany is divided into 401 ] ({{lang|de|Kreise}}) at a municipal level; these consist of 294 ] and 107 ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/Verwaltungsgliederung/Verwalt2QAktuell.xlsx?__blob=publicationFile |title=Verwaltungsgliederung in Deutschland am 30 June 2017 – Gebietsstand: 30 June 2017 (2. Quartal) |date=July 2017 |publisher=] Deutschland |language=German |format=XLS |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010084800/https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/Verwaltungsgliederung/Verwalt2QAktuell.xlsx?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017 |accessdate=9 August 2017}}</ref><!--"Kreis", "Landkreis" and 3 special regional districts count as rural districts; "Stadtkreis" and "kreisfreie Stadt" are urban districts.-->

<div style="float: left;margin:0 2em 0 0;">{{German Federal States}}</div>

{| cellspacing="2px"
|
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:85%;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! rowspan="2" style="width:150px;" | ] !! rowspan="2" style="width:70px;" |Capital !! colspan="2" style="width:80px;" | Area<ref name="Fläche">{{Cite web |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |title=Fläche und Bevölkerung |website=Statistikportal.de |language=de |accessdate=15 July 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143938/https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |archivedate=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> !! rowspan="2" style="width:60px;" | Population<br/>(Census 2022)<ref name="Census2022.DE"/> !! colspan="2" style="width:150px;" | ]<ref >{{Cite web |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/vgrdl/ergebnisse-laenderebene/bruttoinlandsprodukt-bruttowertschoepfung/bip |title=Bruttoinlandsprodukt, Bruttowertschöpfung |publisher=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |website=www.statistikportal.de |date=2024-03-28 |access-date=2024-06-26 |language=german }}</ref> !! rowspan="2" style="width:60px;" | ] EUR (2023)<ref >{{Cite web |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/vgrdl/ergebnisse-laenderebene/bruttoinlandsprodukt-bruttowertschoepfung#alle-ergebnisse |title=Bruttoinlandsprodukt, Bruttowertschöpfung (Inhaltsverzeichnis Reihe 1991–2023) |publisher=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |website=www.statistikportal.de |date=2024-03-28 |access-date=2024-06-26 |language=german}}</ref>
|- |-
! scope="col" | km<sup>2</sup> !! scope="col" | mi<sup>2</sup> !! scope="col" | Billions EUR (2023) !! scope="col" | Share of<br/>GDP (%)
|'''1''' ]||]||Baden-Württemberg||Stuttgart
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|35751|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|11,104,040}} || {{right|615.071}} || {{right|14.92}} || {{right|54,339}}
|'''2''' ]||]||Freistaat Bayern||München
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|70550|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|13,038,724}} || {{right|768.469}} || {{right|18.65}} || {{right|57,343}}
|'''3''' ]||Berlin||Berlin||Berlin
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|892|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|3,596,999}} || {{right|193.219}} || {{right|4.69}} || {{right|51,209}}
|'''4''' ]||]||Brandenburg||Potsdam
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|29654|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|2,534,075}} || {{right|97.477}} || {{right|2.37}} || {{right|37,814}}
|'''5''' ]||]||Freie Hansestadt Bremen||Bremen
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|420|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|693,204}} || {{right|39.252}} || {{right|0.95}} || {{right|56,981}}
|'''6''' ]||Hamburg||Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg||Hamburg
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|755|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|1,808,846}} || {{right|150.575}} || {{right|3.65}} || {{right|79,176}}
|'''7''' ]||]||Hessen||Wiesbaden
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|21115|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|6,207,278}} || {{right|351.139}} || {{right|8.52}} || {{right|54,806}}
|'''8''' ]||]||Mecklenburg-Vorpommern||Schwerin
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|23214|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|1,570,817}} || {{right|59.217}} || {{right|1.44}} || {{right|36,335}}
|'''9''' ]||]||Niedersachsen||Hannover
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|47593|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|7,943,265}} || {{right|363.109}} || {{right|8.81}} || {{right|44,531}}
|'''10''' ]||]||Nordrhein-Westfalen||Düsseldorf
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|34113|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|17,890,489}} || {{right|839.084}} || {{right|20.36}} || {{right|46,194}}
|'''11''' ]||]||Rheinland-Pfalz||Mainz
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|19854|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|4,094,169}} || {{right|174.249}} || {{right|4.23}} || {{right|41,797}}
|'''12''' ]||]||Saarland||Saarbrücken
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|2569|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|1,006,864}} || {{right|41.348}} || {{right|1.00}} || {{right|41,617}}
|'''13''' ]||]||Freistaat Sachsen||Dresden
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|18416|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|4,038,131}} || {{right|155.982}} || {{right|3.78}} || {{right|38,143}}
|'''14''' ]||]||Sachsen-Anhalt||Magdeburg
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|20452|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|2,146,443}} || {{right|78.38}} || {{right|1.90}} || {{right|35,911}}
|'''15''' ]||]||Schleswig-Holstein||Kiel
|- |-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|15802|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|2,927,542}} || {{right|118.68}} || {{right|2.88}} || {{right|40,090}}
|'''16''' ]||]||Freistaat Thüringen||Erfurt
|-
| ] || ] || {{cvt|16202|km2|mi2|0|adj=ri0|abbr=values|sortable=on|disp=table}} || {{right|2,110,396}} || {{right|75.909}} || {{right|1.84}} || {{right|35,715}}
|- class=sortbottom
! style="text-align:center;" | Germany
! ] || 357,386 || 137,988 || 82,719,540 || 4,121.16 || 100 || 48,750
|} |}
|}{{clear}}

=== Law ===

{{Main|Law of Germany|Judiciary of Germany|Law enforcement in Germany}}


Germany has a ] based on ] with some references to ].<ref>{{cite book|pages=31–32, 62|isbn=978-0-8047-5569-6|year=2007|publisher=Stanford University Press|title=The Civil Law Tradition: An Introduction to the Legal Systems of Europe and Latin America|last1=Merryman|first1=John|last2=Pérez-Perdomo|first2=Rogelio}}</ref> The {{lang|de|]}} (Federal Constitutional Court) is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/EN/Homepage/home_node.html |title=Federal Constitutional Court |publisher=Bundesverfassungsgericht |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213204356/http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/EN/Homepage/home_node.html |archivedate=13 December 2014 |accessdate=25 March 2015}}</ref> Germany's specialized supreme court system includes the ] ] for civil and criminal cases, along with the ], ], ], and ] for other matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://germanlawarchive.iuscomp.org/?p=363|website=German Law Archive|title=The Federal Constitutional Court: an Introduction|last=Wöhrmann|first=Gotthard|date=22 November 2013 |accessdate=29 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152752/https://germanlawarchive.iuscomp.org/?p=363|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Geography==
''Main article: ]''


Criminal and private laws are codified on the national level in the {{lang|de|]}} and the {{lang|de|]}} respectively. The German penal system seeks the ] and the protection of the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=§&nbsp;2 Strafvollzugsgesetz |language=de |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501122109/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html |archivedate=1 May 2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> With the exceptions of petty crimes, tried by a single professional judge, and of serious political crimes, all charges are adjudicated by mixed tribunals where ]s ({{lang|de|]n}}) and professional judges preside together.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-V-ng-8jOoQC&pg=PA23 |title=Criminal Justice in Germany |last1=Jehle |first1=Jörg-Martin |last2=German Federal Ministry of Justice |author2-link=Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany) |publisher=Forum-Verlag |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-936999-51-8 |page=23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922094303/https://books.google.com/books?id=-V-ng-8jOoQC&pg=PA23 |archivedate=22 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Casper |first1=Gerhard |last2=Zeisel |first2=Hans |author-link2=:de:Hans Zeisel |date=January 1972 |title=Lay Judges in the German Criminal Courts |journal=] |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=135–191 |doi=10.1086/467481 |jstor=724014 |s2cid=144941508 |author1-link=Gerhard Casper}}</ref>
]
'''The land.''' Since ] of the two parts of the country Germany has resumed its traditional role as the major centre between ] in the north and the ] region in the south, as well as between the ] west and the countries of ] and ].


As of 2016, Germany's murder rate stood at a low of 1.18 murders per 100,000.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dataunodc.un.org/crime/intentional-homicide-victims|publisher=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|title=Intentional Homicide Victims|accessdate=30 March 2020|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726024322/https://dataunodc.un.org/crime/intentional-homicide-victims|archivedate=26 July 2019}}</ref> In 2018, the overall ] fell to its lowest since 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-crime-rate-fell-to-lowest-level-in-decades-in-2018/a-48162310 |title=Germany's crime rate fell to lowest level in decades in 2018 |date=2 April 2019 |website=DW |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517192912/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-crime-rate-fell-to-lowest-level-in-decades-in-2018/a-48162310 |archivedate=17 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The territory of Germany stretches from the high mountains of the ] (highest point: the ] at 2,962 m) in the south to the shores of the ] in the north-west and the ] in the north-east. In between are found the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: ]/] at 3.54 meters below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major rivers such as the ], ] and ].


] has been legal in Germany since 2017, and ] are generally protected in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |title=STONEWALL GLOBAL WORKPLACE BRIEFINGS 2018 – GERMANY |url=https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/global_workplace_briefing_germany_2018.pdf |website=Stonewall |access-date=2 September 2023 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902193738/https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/global_workplace_briefing_germany_2018.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Thanks to its central situation Germany has more neighbours than any other European country; these 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.


=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Germany}}
] at ] in ].]]
Germany has a network of 227 diplomatic missions abroad<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen |title=The German Missions Abroad |publisher=German Federal Foreign Office |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327191034/https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen |archivedate=27 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and maintains relations with more than 190 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen/botschaften-node |title=The Embassies |publisher=German Federal Foreign Office |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327191019/https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen/botschaften-node |archivedate=27 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Germany is a member of ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and the ]. It has played an influential role in the European Union since its inception and has maintained a ] and all neighbouring countries since 1990. Germany promotes the creation of a more unified European political, economic and security apparatus.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Declaration-by-the-Franco-German,4519.html |title=Declaration by the Franco-German Defence and Security Council |date=13 May 2004 |publisher=French Embassy UK |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327015942/http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Declaration-by-the-Franco-German%2C4519.html |archivedate=27 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/world/europe/04iht-poll.4.11666423.html |title=The leader of Europe? Answers an ocean apart |last=Freed |first=John |date=4 April 2008 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501031326/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/world/europe/04iht-poll.4.11666423.html |archivedate=1 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/610644/49a58b5ecfd5a78862b051d94465afb6/gestaltungsmaechtekonzept-engl-data.pdf|title=Shaping Globalization – Expanding Partner-ships – Sharing Responsibility: A strategy paper by the German Government|publisher=Die Bundesregierung|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329142145/https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/610644/49a58b5ecfd5a78862b051d94465afb6/gestaltungsmaechtekonzept-engl-data.pdf|archivedate=29 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The governments of Germany and the United States ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-germany/|title=U.S. Relations With Germany|date=4 November 2019|publisher=US Department of State|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331094945/https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-germany/|archivedate=31 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Cultural ties and economic interests have crafted a bond between the two countries resulting in ].


<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/img/assets/9336/econ_factsheet_may2006.pdf |title=U.S.-German Economic Relations Factsheet |date=May 2006 |publisher=U.S. Embassy in Berlin |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511123309/http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/img/assets/9336/econ_factsheet_may2006.pdf |archivedate=11 May 2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011}}</ref> After 1990, ] worked together to establish a "strategic partnership" in which ] became one of the most important factors. As a result of the cooperation, Germany imported most of its natural gas and crude oil from Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/Ch8Doc13English.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814094438/http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/Ch8Doc13English.pdf |archivedate=14 August 2017 |title=Volume 10. One Germany in Europe, 1989–2009 Germany and Russia |date=13 March 2006 |publisher=German Institute for International and Security Affairs |accessdate=3 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| url= http://www.eprg.group.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/binder13.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122110120/http://www.eprg.group.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/binder13.pdf |archivedate=22 November 2009| title= A Market Between Us: Reducing the Political Cost of Europe's Dependence on Russian Gas| publisher=] Electricity Policy Research Group| last = Noël | first = Pierre| page = 2; 38| journal = EPRG Working Paper |date=May 2009| accessdate=30 January 2010| id = EPRG0916}}</ref>
'''Climate.''' The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate.


Germany's development policy functions as a distinct sector within its foreign policy framework. It is formulated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and carried out by the implementing organisations. The German government sees development policy as a joint responsibility of the international community.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmz.de/en/index.html |title=Aims of German development policy |date=10 April 2008 |publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310120541/http://www.bmz.de/en/index.html |archivedate=10 March 2011 }}</ref> It was the world's ] in 2019 after the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.devex.com/news/germany-foreign-aid-and-the-elusive-0-7-95389|website=Devex|title=Germany, foreign aid, and the elusive 0.7%|last=Green|first=Andrew|date=8 August 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808125018/https://www.devex.com/news/germany-foreign-aid-and-the-elusive-0-7-95389|archivedate=8 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the ''north-west'' and the ''north'' the climate is extremely oceanic and rain falls all the year round. Winters there are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool.


=== Military ===
In the ''east'' the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Here, too, long dry periods are often recorded.
{{Main|Bundeswehr}}
] armoured personnel carrier]]
Germany's military, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} (Federal Defence), is organised into the {{lang|de|]}} (Army and special forces ]), {{lang|de|]}} (Navy), {{lang|de|]}} (Air Force) and {{lang|de|]}} (Cyber and Information Domain Service) branches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2024 |title=Bundeswehr der Zeitenwende: Kriegstüchtig sein, um abschrecken zu können |url=https://www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles/bundeswehr-der-zeitenwende-kriegstuechtig-sein-um-abzuschrecken-5765386|website=bmvg.de |language=de}}</ref> In absolute terms, German military spending in 2023 was the ].<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Nan |last1=Tian|first2= Diego Lopes |last2=da Silva|first3= Xiao |last3=Liang |first4= Lorenzo |last4=Scarazzato |title=Trends in Military Expenditure 2023 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/2404_fs_milex_2023.pdf |date=April 2024 |website=sipri.org |page=2}}</ref> In response to the 2022 ], Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that German military expenditure would be increased past the NATO target of 2%, along with a one-time 2022 infusion of 100&nbsp;billion euros, representing almost double the 53&nbsp;billion euro military budget for 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany commits €100 billion to defense spending |date=27 February 2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-commits-100-billion-to-defense-spending/a-60933724 |website=Deutsche Welle |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227113954/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-commits-100-billion-to-defense-spending/a-60933724 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russia's invasion prompts Germany to beef up military funding |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/27/world/europe/germany-military-budget-russia-ukraine.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227133236/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/27/world/europe/germany-military-budget-russia-ukraine.html |archivedate=27 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, military spending according to NATO criteria amounted to $73.1 billion, or 1.64% of the country's GDP, well below the NATO target of 2%. In 2024, Germany reported $97.7 billion to NATO, exceeding the NATO target of 2% at 2.12% of GDP.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=17 June 2024 |title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014–2024) |url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf#page=8|publisher=NATO|pages=8&ndash;9 |format=PDF}}</ref>


{{as of|2024|05}}, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} has a strength of 180,215 active soldiers and 80,761 civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Personalzahlen |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/zahlen-daten-fakten/personalzahlen-bundeswehr |accessdate=31 July 2024 |publisher=Bundeswehr |language=de}}</ref> Reservists are available to the armed forces and participate in defence exercises and deployments abroad.<ref name="bwzukunft">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP3I5EyrpHK9pPKUVL3ikqLUzJLsosTUtJJUvbzU0vTU4pLEnJLSvHRUuYKcxDygoH5BtqMiAMTJdF8!/ |title=Ausblick: Die Bundeswehr der Zukunft |publisher=] |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604001134/http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP3I5EyrpHK9pPKUVL3ikqLUzJLsosTUtJJUvbzU0vTU4pLEnJLSvHRUuYKcxDygoH5BtqMiAMTJdF8!/ |archivedate=4 June 2011 |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref> Until 2011, ] for men at age 18, but this has been officially suspended and replaced with a voluntary service.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service |title=Germany to abolish compulsory military service |last=Connolly, Kate |date=22 November 2010 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917223043/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service |archivedate=17 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/16/conscription-germany-army |title=Marching orders for conscription in Germany, but what will take its place? |last=Pidd, Helen |date=16 March 2011 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922000942/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/16/conscription-germany-army |archivedate=22 September 2013 }}</ref> Since 2001 women may serve in all functions of service without restriction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/FcwxEoUgDAXAE0l6O0_x1YZ5QMSMEp2In-urs_3STC_FXzKqHIqdRpqi9KG50BK7qxpL3Qy8VHbZbk07MqtbDDerF_WJzYdGv286DbmAJj26iLgynaUMD6qutPs!/ |title=Frauen in der Bundeswehr |publisher=] |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429090325/http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/FcwxEoUgDAXAE0l6O0_x1YZ5QMSMEp2In-urs_3STC_FXzKqHIqdRpqi9KG50BK7qxpL3Qy8VHbZbk07MqtbDDerF_WJzYdGv286DbmAJj26iLgynaUMD6qutPs!/ |archivedate=29 April 2011 |accessdate=14 April 2011}}</ref> According to the ], Germany was the ] in the world from 2019 to 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Pieter D. |last1=Wezeman|first2= Katarina |last2=Djokic|first3= Mathew|last3= George|first4= Zain |last4=Hussain |first5=Siemon T. |last5=Wezeman |title=Trends in international Arms Transfer 2023 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/fs_2403_at_2023.pdf |date=March 2024 |website=sipri.org |page=2 }}</ref>
In the ''centre'' and the ''south'' there is a transitional climate which may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation.


In peacetime, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is commanded by the Minister of Defence. In ], the Chancellor would become commander-in-chief of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/gg/gesamt.pdf |title=Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Artikel 65a,87,115b |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528210503/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/gg/gesamt.pdf |archivedate=28 May 2017 |accessdate=19 March 2011 }}</ref> The role of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is described in the ] as defensive only. But after a ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court in 1994, the term "defence" has been defined not only to include protection of the borders of Germany, but also crisis reaction and conflict prevention, or more broadly as guarding the ] of Germany anywhere in the world. {{As of|2017|post=,}} the German military has about 3,600 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of international peacekeeping forces, including about 1,200 supporting operations against ], 980 in the NATO-led ] in Afghanistan, and 800 in ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/einsaetze/ueberblick/zahlen/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zinSx8QnyMLI2MXIKDnQ0cQ13NQl2DHY0NzMz0wwkpiAJKG-AAjgb6wSmp-pFAM8xxmuELVKQfpR-VlViWWKFXkF9UkpNaopeYDHKhfmRGYl5KTmpAfrIjRKAgN6LcoNxREQC-OoUy/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922DSSC0AUE6UESA30M0 |title=Einsatzzahlen – die Stärke der deutschen Kontingente |date=18 August 2017 |publisher=] |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823022636/https://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/einsaetze/ueberblick/zahlen/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zinSx8QnyMLI2MXIKDnQ0cQ13NQl2DHY0NzMz0wwkpiAJKG-AAjgb6wSmp-pFAM8xxmuELVKQfpR-VlViWWKFXkF9UkpNaopeYDHKhfmRGYl5KTmpAfrIjRKAgN6LcoNxREQC-OoUy/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922DSSC0AUE6UESA30M0 |archivedate=23 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 June 2020|title=Germany extends unified armed forces mission in Mali|url=https://internationalinsider.org/germany-extends-unified-armed-forces-mission-in-mali/|website=International Insider|accessdate=6 March 2021|archivedate=26 February 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226221509/https://internationalinsider.org/germany-extends-unified-armed-forces-mission-in-mali/|url-status=live}}</ref>
There have been several large-scale river floodings in the last few years; while floods of such severity are quite rare in the long term, their frequency has been increasing lately, partly due to changes in land use in the flood plains.
{{Clear}}


== Economy == == Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Germany|Science and technology in Germany|List of German inventions and discoveries}}
''Main article: ]''
], a leading business and ] in Europe and the seat of the ]<ref name="frankfurt">{{cite report |url=http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPERI-Brief-10-Frankfurt.pdf |title=Frankfurt as a financial centre after Brexit |last1=Lavery |first1=Scott |last2=Schmid |first2=Davide |publisher=University of Sheffield |url-status=live |series=SPERI Global Political Economy Brief |year=2018 |accessdate=30 March 2020 |archivedate=20 June 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152658/http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPERI-Brief-10-Frankfurt.pdf}}</ref>]]


Germany has a ] with a highly skilled ], a low level of ],<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2020 |title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 |url=https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327160133/https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019 |archivedate=27 March 2020 |accessdate=29 March 2020 |publisher=Transparency International}}</ref> and a high level of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2018.pdf|page=11|title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2018|last=Schwab|first=Klaus|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224135655/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2018.pdf|archivedate=24 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the world's ] and ],<ref name="CIA" /> and has the ], which is also the world's ]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deutschland ist wieder Nummer drei der größten Volkswirtschaften|url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/deutschland-ist-wieder-nummer-drei-der-groessten-volkswirtschaften-der-welt-a-4983d80b-6eef-4226-b620-097934febf6c|date=15 February 2024|work=Der Spiegel|language=de|archive-date=17 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217022701/https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/deutschland-ist-wieder-nummer-drei-der-groessten-volkswirtschaften-der-welt-a-4983d80b-6eef-4226-b620-097934febf6c|url-status=live}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd?most_recent_value_desc=true|publisher=World Bank|title=GDP, PPP (current international $)|accessdate=18 November 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327113849/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd%3Fmost_recent_value_desc%3Dtrue|archivedate=27 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Its GDP per capita measured in purchasing power standards amounts to 121% of the EU27 average.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 |title=GDP per capita in PPS |publisher=] |website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat |accessdate=18 June 2020 |archivedate=20 January 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120063953/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] contributes approximately 69% of the total GDP, industry 31%—with Germany having the ]—and ] 1% {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref name="CIA" /> The unemployment rate published by ] amounts to 3.2% {{as of|2020|01|lc=y}}, which is the ].<ref name="Eurostat">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics|website=Eurostat|title=Unemployment statistics|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406062752/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics|archivedate=6 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
] coin features the Brandenburg Gate]]
Germany is the world's third largest economy measured by ], placed behind the ] and ]. As of ], Germany was also the world's largest exporter for the second year in a row, despite the skyrocketing strength of the ]. Its major trading partners include ], the ], the ], ] and the ]. A major issue of concern remains the persistently high ] rate - especially in the eastern ] -, and partly as a result of it, weak domestic demand which slows down economic growth.


Germany is part of the ] which represents more than 450 million consumers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market_en|title=The European single market|date=5 July 2016|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409110216/https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market_en|archivedate=9 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the country accounted for 28% of the ] economy according to the ].<ref name="imf.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/07/05/na070717-germany-spend-more-at-home|title=Germany: Spend More At Home|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108101740/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/07/05/na070717-germany-spend-more-at-home|archivedate=8 January 2018}}</ref> Germany introduced the common European currency, the ], in 2002.<ref name="euroc">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/01/world/germans-say-goodbye-to-the-mark-a-symbol-of-strength-and-unity.html |title=Germans Say Goodbye to the Mark, a Symbol of Strength and Unity |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |date=1 January 2002 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501031330/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/01/world/germans-say-goodbye-to-the-mark-a-symbol-of-strength-and-unity.html |archivedate=1 May 2011}}</ref> Its monetary policy is set by the ], which is headquartered in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914|publisher=Bundesbank|title=Monetary policy|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152755/https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="frankfurt" />
'''Agriculture.''' For many years now agriculture in Germany has been in a state of decline. Poor earnings and lack of profitability are counted to the main reasons for the failure of many medium and small concerns. The main crops grown are ]es, ], ], ] and ]. Germany ranks among the world's largest producers of ], milk products and ].


The ] is regarded as one of the most competitive and innovative in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electrive.com/2019/12/10/cam-study-reveals-german-manufacturers-as-innovative/|publisher=Electrive|title=CAM study reveals: German carmakers are most innovative|date=10 December 2019|last=Randall|first=Chris|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510175816/https://www.electrive.com/2019/12/10/cam-study-reveals-german-manufacturers-as-innovative/|archivedate=10 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and is the ] as of 2021. Germany is home to ], the world's ] by vehicle production.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 2022 |title=Hyundai, Now the No. 3 Carmaker, Takes Aim at Toyota and Volkswagen |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-20/now-the-world-s-third-biggest-carmaker-hyundai-takes-aim-at-toyota-volkswagen |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207223928/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-20/now-the-world-s-third-biggest-carmaker-hyundai-takes-aim-at-toyota-volkswagen |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''Industrial sector.''' As in most other large economic nations, Germany's industrial sector has declined in favour of the service sector. Germany is among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of ], ], ], ], ], ], ]s and ]s, as well as a world leader in the ] industry. Major automakers like ] and ], and huge international corporations like ] rank among the world's largest firms.


] at the 2013 ] Summit in Berlin. All new cars sold in Germany must be ] from 2035.<ref>{{cite news |title=EU countries approve 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/eu-countries-poised-approve-2035-phaseout-co2-emitting-cars-2023-03-28/ |work=Reuters |date=29 March 2023}}</ref>]]
'''Service sector.''' The service sector has grown steadily in recent years and now contributes the largest share of GDP. This sector includes ]. As of ], the largest numbers of foreign visitors to Germany came from the ], followed by the ] and the ].
The top ten ] are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipments, pharmaceuticals, transport equipments, basic metals, food products, and rubber and plastics.<ref name="Destatis">{{Cite web |url=http://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |title=Foreign trade |website=Statistiches Bundesamt |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502033130/https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |archivedate=2 May 2015 |accessdate=23 April 2015 }}</ref>


Of the world's 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue in 2023, the ], 32 are headquartered in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/?hqcountry=Germany|website=Fortune|title=Global 500|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152854/https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/?hqcountry=Germany|url-status=live}}</ref> 30 major Germany-based companies are included in the ], the German stock market index which is operated by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DAX:IND|publisher=Bloomberg|title=DAX|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521105452/https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DAX:IND|archivedate=21 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Well-known international brands include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/235173/brand-value-of-the-leading-10-most-valuable-german-brands/|website=Statista|title=Brand value of the leading 10 most valuable German brands in 2019|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210192215/https://www.statista.com/statistics/235173/brand-value-of-the-leading-10-most-valuable-german-brands/|archivedate=10 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ] is a ] for ] and has become the leading location for venture capital-funded firms in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-industry/berlin-outranks-london-start-investment-317140 |title=Berlin outranks London in start-up investment |last=Frost |first=Simon |website=euractiv.com |date=28 August 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106224621/http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-industry/berlin-outranks-london-start-investment-317140 |archivedate=6 November 2015 |accessdate=28 October 2015}}</ref> Germany is recognised for its large portion of specialised ], known as the {{lang|de|]}} model.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/driving-growth/secrets-growth-power-of-germany-mittelstand/|website=The Telegraph|title=Secrets of growth: the power of Germany's Mittelstand|last=Dakers|first=Marion|date=11 May 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306134928/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/driving-growth/secrets-growth-power-of-germany-mittelstand/|archivedate=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> These companies represent 48% of the global market leaders in their segments, labelled ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40796571|work=BBC News|title=Germany's 'hidden champions' of the Mittelstand|last=Bayley|first=Caroline|date=17 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522010803/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40796571|archivedate=22 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Natural resources.''' Germany is lacking in natural raw materials, if one disregards the hard ] deposits in the ], in the ] district and in the ], where mining is profitable only thanks to state subsidies. Brown coal from mines in the ]er Bucht and the Niederlausitz is still the major energy source in the eastern ], while ] enjoys this position in the western Länder. The current ] coalition government is pursuing a long-term strategy of phasing out ] in favour of ] sources of energy.


] efforts form an integral part of the German economy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmbf.de/pub/Federal_Report_on_Research_and_Innovation_2014.pdf |title=Federal Report on Research and Innovation 2014 |date=2014 |publisher=Federal Ministry of Education and Research |archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160514110947/http://www.bmbf.de/pub/Federal_Report_on_Research_and_Innovation_2014.pdf |archivedate=14 May 2016 |accessdate=26 March 2015}}</ref> with the country ] in research and development expenditure since 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gross domestic spending on R&D |url=http://data.oecd.org/rd/gross-domestic-spending-on-r-d.htm |accessdate=17 December 2023 |publisher=] |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215212810/https://data.oecd.org/rd/gross-domestic-spending-on-r-d.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Germany ] globally in terms of number of science and engineering research papers published<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/top-ten-countries-leading-scientific-publications-in-the-world/|last=McCarthy|first=Niall|title=The countries leading the world in scientific research|publisher=World Economic Forum|date=13 January 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312073822/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/top-ten-countries-leading-scientific-publications-in-the-world|archivedate=12 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and third in the quality-adjusted ] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2024 |title=Nature Index 2024 Research Leaders: India follows in China's footsteps as top ten changes again |url=https://www.nature.com/nature-index/news/nature-index-research-leaders-india-follows-china-footsteps |website=Nature Index }}</ref> Research institutions in Germany include the ], the ], and the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Nature|title=An introduction to the complexities of the German research scene|date=27 March 2019|first=Hristio|last=Boytchev|volume=567|issue=7749|pages=S34–S35|doi=10.1038/d41586-019-00910-7|pmid=30918381|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019Natur.567S..34B }}</ref> Germany is the largest contributor to the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/04/20191128_esa-ministerial-2019.html|publisher=German Aerospace Centre|date=28 November 2019|title=Germany invests 3.3 billion euro in European space exploration and becomes ESA's largest contributor|accessdate=17 May 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152742/https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/04/20191128_esa-ministerial-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany was ranked 9th in the ] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite book |author=] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref>
==Demographics==
''Main article: ]''


=== Infrastructure ===
'''The people.''' Germany has many large cities but only three with a population of one million or more (Berlin: 3 million, Hamburg: 1.8 million, Munich: 1.2 Million); the population is thus much less centralized and oriented towards a single large capital than in most other European countries. The largest cities are ], ], ] ''(München),'' ] ''(Köln),'' ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].
{{Main|Transport in Germany|Energy in Germany|Telecommunications in Germany|Water supply and sanitation in Germany}}
] train on the ], with operating speed up to {{convert|300|km/h|abbr=on}}]]
With its central position in Europe, Germany is a transport hub for the continent.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/statistics/investment/Country-responses/Germany.pdf |title=Assessment of strategic plans and policy measures on Investment and Maintenance in Transport Infrastructure |year=2012 |publisher=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101013052/http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/statistics/investment/Country-responses/Germany.pdf |archivedate=1 January 2015 |accessdate=15 March 2014}}</ref> Its road network is among the densest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Archive:Transport_infrastructure_at_regional_level|website=Eurostat|title=Transport infrastructure at regional level|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915230224/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Archive:Transport_infrastructure_at_regional_level|archivedate=15 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The motorway (]) is widely known for having no general federally mandated ] for some classes of vehicles.<ref name="wa 16-09-2013">{{cite news |last=Jeremic |first=Sam |title=Fun, fun, fun on the autobahn |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/motors/a/-/motors/18958067/fun-fun-fun-on-the-autobahn/ |date=16 September 2013 |newspaper=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012020747/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/motors/a/-/motors/18958067/fun-fun-fun-on-the-autobahn/ |archivedate=12 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] or ''ICE'' train network serves major German cities as well as destinations in neighbouring countries with speeds up to {{convert|300|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurail.com/en/get-inspired/trains-europe/high-speed-trains/ice|title=ICE High-Speed Trains|publisher=Eurail|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011052444/http://eurail.com/en/get-inspired/trains-europe/high-speed-trains/ice|archivedate=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest German airports are ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adv.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12.2022-ADV-Monatsstatistik.pdf |title=ADV Monthly Traffic Report 12/2022 |publisher=Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verkehrsflughäfen e.V. |date=13 February 2023 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216140438/https://www.adv.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12.2022-ADV-Monatsstatistik.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] is the ] and one of the twenty ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/statistics/top-20-container-ports|publisher=Port of Hamburg|title=Top World Container Ports|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010080235/https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/statistics/top-20-container-ports|archivedate=10 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
] Castle]]
{{As of|2019|alt=In 2019}}, Germany was the world's seventh-largest consumer of energy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/DEU |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605135256/https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/DEU |archivedate=5 June 2023 |accessdate=30 August 2023 |publisher=US Energy Information Administration}}</ref> All ] were phased out in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Paddison |last2=Schmidt |last3=Kappeler |first1=Laura |first2=Nadine |first3=Inke |date=15 April 2023 |title='A new era': Germany quits nuclear power, closing its final three plants |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/15/europe/germany-nuclear-phase-out-climate-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422050759/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/15/europe/germany-nuclear-phase-out-climate-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Germany meets its power demands using 40% ],<ref>{{cite web |last=Wettengel |first=Julian |date=2 January 2019 |title=Renewables supplied 40 percent of net public power in Germany in 2018 |url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152813/https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018 |archivedate=20 June 2021 |accessdate=10 April 2020 |website=Clean Energy Wire}}</ref> and has been called an "early leader" in ] and ].<ref name="International Energy Agency-2021">{{Cite web |publisher=International Energy Agency |date=16 December 2021 |title=Germany |url=https://www.iea.org/countries/germany |accessdate=24 May 2022 |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524012051/https://www.iea.org/countries/germany |url-status=live }}</ref> The country is committed to the ] and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf|title=Committed to Biodiversity|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development|year=2017|accessdate=10 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212170157/https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf|archivedate=12 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html |last=Eddy |first=Melissa |date=15 November 2019 |title=Germany Passes Climate-Protection Law to Ensure 2030 Goals |work=The New York Times |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313200755/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html |archivedate=13 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://humanright2water.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WL-Country-Mapping-Germany.pdf|title=Legal Country Mapping: Germany|publisher=WaterLex|date=6 July 2018|accessdate=27 March 2021|archivedate=28 September 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928114238/http://humanright2water.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WL-Country-Mapping-Germany.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany's household recycling rate is among the ]—at around 65%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.climateaction.org/news/germany-is-the-worlds-leading-nation-for-recycling|publisher=Climate Action|title=Germany is the world's leading nation for recycling|date=11 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911230531/http://www.climateaction.org/news/germany-is-the-worlds-leading-nation-for-recycling|archivedate=11 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The country's ] were the ninth-highest in the EU {{as of|2018|alt=in 2018}}, but these numbers have been trending downward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/986392/co2-emissions-per-cap-by-country-eu/|website=Statista|title=Greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the European Union (EU-28) in 2018, by country|accessdate=24 March 2021|archivedate=4 March 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304134727/https://www.statista.com/statistics/986392/co2-emissions-per-cap-by-country-eu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=International Energy Agency |date=10 November 2021 |title=Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Data Explorer |url=https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-energy-data-explorer |accessdate=8 November 2022 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812215445/https://www.iea.org/geco/emissions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] ({{lang|de|Energiewende}}) is the recognised move to a sustainable economy by means of energy efficiency and renewable energy, with the country being called "the world's first major ] economy".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/04/germany-the-worlds-first-major-renewable-energy-economy |title=Germany: The World's First Major Renewable Energy Economy |access-date=24 February 2024 |archive-date=29 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329212358/http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/04/germany-the-worlds-first-major-renewable-energy-economy |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Portaldata/1/Resources/bilder/portal/portal_2012_1/leitstudie2011_bf.pdf |title=Langfristszenarien und Strategien für den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien in Deutschland bei Berücksichtigung der Entwicklung in Europa und global |last=Federal Ministry for the Environment |date=29 March 2012 |publisher=Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) |trans-title=Long-term Scenarios and Strategies for the Development of Renewable Energy in Germany Considering Development in Europe and Globally |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921145218/http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Portaldata/1/Resources/bilder/portal/portal_2012_1/leitstudie2011_bf.pdf |archivedate=21 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="International Energy Agency-2021" /> Germany has reduced its ] by 11% between 1990 and 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=China and Germany – Working for an Energy Efficient Future |url=https://www.energypartnership.cn/newsroom/energy-efficiency/ |website=Energiepartnershcaft |date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204135141/https://www.energypartnership.cn/newsroom/energy-efficiency/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and set itself goals of reducing it by 30% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050.<ref>{{cite book |title=Germany's Energy Efficiency Strategy 2050 |date=March 2020 |publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy |url=https://www.energypartnership.cn/fileadmin/user_upload/china/media_elements/Documents/200407_BMWi_Dossier_Energy_Efficiency_Strategy_2050.pdf |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130115350/https://www.energypartnership.cn/fileadmin/user_upload/china/media_elements/Documents/200407_BMWi_Dossier_Energy_Efficiency_Strategy_2050.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Tourism ===
By far the largest urban conurbation is the ]-] region including the Düsseldorf-Cologne district. Leaving aside the ]s of the cities with over a million inhabitants, other large heavily populated areas are the ] around Frankfurt/Main, ] and ], the ], the ]-] region around ] and ], the ] foothills around ] and ], the central ] valley around ], the ]-] area, as well as the catchment areas of Hanover and ].
{{Main|Tourism in Germany}}
] in ]]]
Domestic and international travel and tourism combined directly contribute over €105.3&nbsp;billion to German GDP. Including indirect and induced impacts, the industry supports 4.2&nbsp;million jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Publikationen/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-in-deutschland-lang.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3|title=Tourism as a driver of economic growth in Germany|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy|date=November 2017|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=8 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708124326/https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Publikationen/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-in-deutschland-lang.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2022, Germany is the ].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-05/UNWTO_Barom23_02_May_EXCERPT_final.pdf?VersionId=gGmuSXlwfM1yoemsRrBI9ZJf.Vmc9gYD|journal=World Tourism Barometer|volume=21|issue=2|date=May 2023|title=International Tourism – 2023 starts on a strong note with the Middle East recovering 2019 levels in the first quarter|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802171252/https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-05/UNWTO_Barom23_02_May_EXCERPT_final.pdf?VersionId=gGmuSXlwfM1yoemsRrBI9ZJf.Vmc9gYD|url-status=live}}</ref> Its most popular landmarks include ], the ], the ], the ], ], ], the ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-most-visited-landmarks/a-19432005|publisher=DW|title=Germany's most visited landmarks|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=6 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706112642/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-most-visited-landmarks/a-19432005|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] near ] is Europe's second-most popular theme park resort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/236193/attendance-at-the-europa-park-rust-theme-park/|publisher=Statista|title=Attendance at the Europa Park Rust theme park from 2009 to 2018 (in millions)|date=19 June 2020|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=1 August 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801004437/https://www.statista.com/statistics/236193/attendance-at-the-europa-park-rust-theme-park/|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Demographics ==
As of 31 December 2003, about 7.3 million non-citizen residents were living in Germany. By far the largest number came from ], followed by ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and ] . About 2/3s of these have been in the country for more than 8 years, 20% were born in Germany; both groups qualify for citizenship after recent changes in immigration law (2002 data), if the individuals involved choose to apply for it (which regularly involves renunciation of previous citizenship(s)). Germany is still a primary destination for political and economic ]s from many ], but the number of asylum seekers has been dropping in recent years, reaching about 50,000 in 2003. A new immigration law recently took effect (1 January 2005), which provides a more systematic treatment of immigration issues as well as increased support for German language classes for immigrants.
{{Main|Demographics of Germany|Germans}}
With a population of 84.7&nbsp;million according to the 2023 German census,<ref>{{cite news |title=Immigration Drives Germany's Population Growth to 84.7 Million |url=https://etias.com/articles/germany-population-growth-2023 |work=] |date=30 January 2024}}</ref> Germany is the most populous country in the ], the ] after ],<ref name="CIA" />{{efn|name="turkey"|Excluding ], which only has 3% of its total territory in Europe along with some 10% of its population<ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/turkey/18.htm |editor=Metz, Helen |title=Turkey: A Country Study &#124; Geography |year=1995 |publisher=GPO for the Library of Congress}}</ref>}} and the ]. Its ] stands at {{convert|227|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|inhabitants&nbsp;|inhabitants|}}. The ] of 1.57 children born per woman (2022 estimates) is below the replacement rate of 2.1 and is one of the ].<ref name="CIA" /> Since the 1970s, Germany's ] has exceeded its ]. However, Germany is witnessing increased birth rates and migration rates since the beginning of the 2010s. Germany has the ], with an average age of 47.4 years.<ref name="CIA" />
] and ] in ] (''Chóśebuz'') in ]]]
Four sizeable groups of people are referred to as national minorities because their ancestors have lived in their respective regions for centuries:<ref name="BMI 2010">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Broschueren/2010/nat_minderheiten.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |title=National Minorities in Germany |date=May 2010 |publisher=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421151141/http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Broschueren/2010/nat_minderheiten.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=21 April 2013 |accessdate=23 June 2014}}</ref> There is a ] minority in the northernmost state of ];<ref name="BMI 2010" /> the ], a ], are in the ] region of ] and ]; the ] and ] live throughout the country; and the ] are concentrated in Schleswig-Holstein's western coast and in the north-western part of ].<ref name="BMI 2010" />


After the United States, Germany is the second-most popular ] in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Alex |date=20 May 2014 |title=Germany Top Migration Land After U.S. in New OECD Ranking |work=] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-20/immigration-boom-propels-germany-past-u-k-in-new-oecd-ranking |archive-date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317014944/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-20/immigration-boom-propels-germany-past-u-k-in-new-oecd-ranking |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, following the ], the Population Division of the ] listed Germany as host to the ], about 5% or 12&nbsp;million of all 244&nbsp;million migrants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publications/migrationreport/docs/MigrationReport2015_Highlights.pdf |title=International Migration Report 2015 – Highlights |year=2015 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513001608/http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publications/migrationreport/docs/MigrationReport2015_Highlights.pdf |archivedate=13 May 2016 |accessdate=9 June 2016}}</ref> Refugee crises have resulted in substantial population increases;<ref>{{cite news |title=Germany: Asylum applications rose sharply in 2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-asylum-applications-rose-sharply-in-2023/a-67928269 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=9 January 2024}}</ref> for example, the major influx of Ukrainian immigrants following the ], meaning over 1.06&nbsp;million refugees from Ukraine were recorded in Germany as of April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Current population |url=https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Current-Population/_node.html |date=20 June 2023 |publisher=Federal Statistical Office |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826024032/https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Current-Population/_node.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, Germany ranks seventh among EU countries in terms of the percentage of migrants in the country's population, at 13.1%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.oecd.org/migration/foreign-population.htm#indicator-chart|publisher=OECD|title=Foreign population|accessdate=28 October 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313152632/https://data.oecd.org/migration/foreign-population.htm#indicator-chart|archivedate=13 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, there were 23.8 million people, 28.7 percent of the total population, who had a migration background.<ref>{{cite web|date=20 April 2023|publisher=Statistisches Bundesamt|title=Pressemitteilung Nr. 158 vom 20. April 2023|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2023/04/PD23_158_125.html|archive-date=7 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107012216/https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2023/04/PD23_158_125.html|url-status=live}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
An ] minority of about 50,000 people lives in ], mostly close to the Danish border, in the north; a small number of ] people known as the ] lives in the states of ] (about 40,000) and ] (about 20.000). The ] is ] to about 12,000 speakers in Germany, the rest living in the ]. In rural areas of Northern Germany ] is widely spoken.


Germany has a number of large ]. There are 11 officially recognised ]. The ] is ], while its largest urban area is the ].<ref name="Demographia">{{cite web|url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |work=Demographia|title= World Urban Areas|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503021711/http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |archivedate=3 May 2018|accessdate=31 July 2016}}</ref>
There are also a large number of ] immigrants from the former ] area (1.7 million), ] (0.7 million) and ] (0.3 million) (]&ndash;] totals), who are automatically granted German citizenship, and thus do not show up in foreign resident statistics; unlike the foreigners they have been settled by the government almost evenly spread throughout Germany. Many of them speak the languages of their former resident countries at home.
{{Largest cities of Germany}}


=== Religion ===
'''Education.''' Germany has one of the world's ]. Since the end of ], the number of youths entering universities has more than tripled, but university attendance still lags behind many other European nations. In the annual league of top-ranking universities compiled by ] in ], Germany came 4th overall, but with only 7 universities in the top 100 (USA: 51). The highest ranking university, at no. 45, was the ].
{{Main|Religion in Germany}}{{further|Catholic Church in Germany|Evangelical Church in Germany|History of the Jews in Germany}}


], a ]]]
==Religion==
According to the 2022 census, ] is the largest religion at 49.7% of the population; 23.1% identified as Protestant and 25.1% as Catholic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bevölkerung nach Religionszugehörigkeit im Zensus 2022 und im Zensus 2011 - je Bundesland |url=https://www.zensus2022.de/DE/Ergebnisse-des-Zensus/Sonderauswertung_Religionszugehoerigkeit.html |date=2 July 2024 |publisher=Statistisches Bundesamt |language=de}}</ref>
], Father of the German Reformation and reformer of the German language, 1529]]
''Main article:]


] is the second-largest religion in the country.<ref name="Zensus 2011">{{Cite web |url=https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#StaticContent:00,BEG_4_2_6,m,table |title=Bevölkerung im regionalen Vergleich nach Religion (ausführlich) -in %- |date=9 May 2011 |website=Zensus 2011 |publisher=] |page=Zensus 2011 – Page 6 |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621101339/https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#StaticContent:00,BEG_4_2_6,m,table |archivedate=21 June 2013 }}</ref> In the 2011 census, 1.9% of respondents (1.52&nbsp;million people) gave their religion as Islam, but this figure is deemed unreliable because a disproportionate number of adherents of this faith (and other religions, such as Judaism) are likely to have made use of their right not to answer the question.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Zensus 2011 – Fakten zur Bevölkerung in Deutschland" am 31. Mai 2013 in Berlin |publisher=] |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/Statement_Egeler_zensus_PDF.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |language=German |accessdate=28 September 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010094954/https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/Statement_Egeler_zensus_PDF.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017 |trans-title=2011 Census – Facts about the population of Germany on 31 May 2013 in Berlin |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, there were an estimated 5.3–5.6 million Muslims with a migrant background{{efn|A migrant background was defined as having been born or having at least one parent born in a country from a prespecified list of countries with a significant Muslim population, or as having citizenship or having at least one parent with citizenship of one of these countries.<ref name=BAMF2020/>}} (6.4–6.7% of the population), in addition to an unknown number of Muslims without a migrant background.<ref name="BAMF2020">{{cite web|title=Muslimisches Leben in Deutschland 2020|publisher=]|date=April 2020|url=https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Forschung/Forschungsberichte/fb38-muslimisches-leben.html|accessdate=9 August 2021}}</ref> Most of the Muslims are ] and ] from Turkey, but there are a small number of ], ]s and other denominations. Other religions each comprise less than one percent of Germany's population.<ref name="Zensus 2011" />
] is the major religion, with ] (particularly in the north and east) comprising 33% of the population and ] (particularly in the south and west) also 33%. In total more than 55 million people officially belong to a Christian denomination. Most German Protestants are members of the ]. Independent and congregational churches exist in all larger towns and many smaller ones, but most such churches are small.


In 2011, formal members of the ] represented no more than 0.2% of the total German population, and 60% of them resided in ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Germany: Berlin Facing Challenge Of Assimilating Russian-Speaking Jews|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=8 April 2008|url=http://www.rferl.org/a/1078688.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=29 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029115657/http://www.rferl.org/a/1078688.html|url-status=live}}</ref> An estimated 80 to 90 percent of these Jews in Germany are Russian-speaking immigrants from the ], who came to Germany from the 1980s onwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=German Jews more than victims, community head says|url=http://jewishjournal.com/news/world/86509/|publisher=Jewish Journal|date=5 January 2011|access-date=11 April 2024|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031005406/http://jewishjournal.com/news/world/86509/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jewish Berlin: Myths and Fragmentation|url=http://www.humanityinaction.org/knowledgebase/109-jewish-berlin-myths-and-fragmentation|publisher=Humanity in Action|access-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313043802/http://www.humanityinaction.org/knowledgebase/109-jewish-berlin-myths-and-fragmentation |archive-date=13 March 2017}}</ref>
] was Germany's top religion in the ], but the ] changed this drastically. In 1517 ] challenged this religion as he saw it as a commercialisation of his faith. Through this, he altered the course of European and world history and established ], the largest denomination in Germany today.


A study in 2023 estimated that 46.2% of the population are not members of any religious organization or ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Religionszugehörigkeiten 2023 |url=https://fowid.de/meldung/religionszugehoerigkeiten-2023|website=fowid.de |language=de}}</ref> ] is strongest in the former ], which used to be predominantly Protestant before the enforcement of ], and in major metropolitan areas.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place |title=Eastern Germany: the most godless place on Earth |last=Thompson|first=Peter |date=22 September 2012 |work=The Guardian|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929114047/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place |archivedate=29 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name="georgetown1">{{Cite web |url=http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/germany |title=Germany |publisher=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324170951/http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/germany |archivedate=24 March 2015 |accessdate=27 March 2015}}</ref>
In eastern Germany, there is much less religious feeling &mdash; probably the result of forty years of ] &mdash; than in the West. Only 5% attend at least once per week, compared to 14% in the West according to a recent . About 30% of the total population are officially religiously unaffiliated. In the East this number is also considerably higher.


=== Languages ===
] (mostly of ] descent) live in Germany. Lately there have been heated discussions about the question of whether Muslim women working in public service, such as schoolteachers, should be allowed to wear headscarves to work or not.
{{Main|German language|Languages of Germany}}


German is the official and predominantly spoken language in Germany.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages">{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Survey) |year=2006 |publisher=] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414102658/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |archivedate=14 April 2016 |accessdate=28 March 2011}}<br />{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf |title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary) |last=] |year=2006 |publisher=] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430202903/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf |archivedate=30 April 2011 |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> It is one of 24 official and working languages of the European Union, and one of the three ] of the ], alongside English and French.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_825|title=Frequently asked questions on languages in Europe|date=26 September 2013|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=5 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705223150/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_825|url-status=live}}</ref> German is the most widely spoken first language in the European Union, with around 100 million native speakers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/the-german-language-surprising-facts-and-figures|title=The German Language|date=20 February 2018|publisher=FAZIT Communication GmbH|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=2 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002203206/https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/the-german-language-surprising-facts-and-figures|url-status=live}}</ref>
Besides this there are a few hundred thousand ], 400,000 ], numerous other small groups, and 160,000 ], of which around 100,000 belong to a synagogue.


Recognised native minority languages in Germany are ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]; they are officially protected by the ]. The most used immigrant languages are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and other ], as well as ]. Germans are typically multilingual: 67% of German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language and 27% in at least two.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages" />
Today Germany, especially its capital ], has the fastest growing Jewish community worldwide. Some ten thousands of Jews from the former ], mostly from ex-] countries, settled in Germany since the fall of the ]. Prior to ], about 600,000 Jews lived in Germany, most of them long-time resident families.


==Culture== === Education ===
''Main article: ]'' {{Main|Education in Germany}}
], Germany's oldest institution of higher learning and generally considered one of its most renowned]]
]
Responsibility for educational supervision in Germany is primarily organised within the individual ]. Optional ] education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which ] for at least nine years depending on the state. Primary education usually lasts for four to six years.<ref name="ED">{{Cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Germany.pdf |title=Country profile: Germany |date=April 2008 |publisher=Library of Congress |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427060904/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Germany.pdf |archivedate=27 April 2011 |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> Secondary schooling is divided into tracks based on whether students pursue ] or ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wenr.wes.org/2016/11/education-in-germany|title=Education in Germany|author=Trines, Stefan|date=8 November 2016|website=World Education News and Reviews|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=5 April 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405120422/https://wenr.wes.org/2016/11/education-in-germany|url-status=live}}</ref> A system of apprenticeship called {{lang|de|]}} leads to a skilled qualification which is almost comparable to an academic degree. It allows students in ] to learn in a company as well as in a state-run trade school.<ref name="ED" /> This model is well regarded and reproduced all around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4f43b5c4-a32b-11e1-8f34-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RApE4hJA |title=A German model goes global |website=Financial Times |date=21 May 2012 |url-access=registration |accessdate=28 September 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728095341/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4f43b5c4-a32b-11e1-8f34-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RApE4hJA |archivedate=28 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Germany's contributions to the world's cultural heritage are numerous, and the country is often known as ''das Land der Dichter und Denker'' (The Land of Poets and Thinkers). Germany was the birthplace of composers such as ], ], ], ] and ]; poets such as ] and ] as well as ]; philosophers including ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], theologians like ], authors including ], ], ] and ]; scientists including ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]; and inventors and engineers such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. There are also numerous fine artists from Germany such as the ] artist ], the surrealist ], the expressionist ], the conceptual artist ] or the neo expressionist ].


Most of the ] are public institutions, and students traditionally study without fee payment.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://theconversation.com/should-we-follow-the-german-way-of-free-higher-education-23970 |title=Should we follow the German way of free higher education? |first1=Tim |last1=Pitman |date=18 March 2014 |work=The Conversation |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318031926/http://theconversation.com/should-we-follow-the-german-way-of-free-higher-education-23970 |archivedate=18 March 2014 |last2=Hannah Forsyth}}</ref> The general requirement for attending university is the {{lang|de|]}}. According to an OECD report in 2014, Germany is the world's third leading destination for international study.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/germany/growing-popularity-international-study-germany |title=The Growing Popularity of International Study in Germany |first=Laura|last=Bridgestock |date=13 November 2014 |website=QS Topuniversities |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413063050/http://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/germany/growing-popularity-international-study-germany |archivedate=13 April 2016}}</ref> The established universities in Germany include some of the ], with ] (established in 1386), ] (established in 1409) and the ] (established in 1419) being the oldest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/university/rankings/ |title=Rankings: Universität Heidelberg in International Comparison|publisher=Universität Heidelberg |first=Björn |last=Bertram |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921065348/http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/university/rankings/ |archivedate=21 September 2014 |accessdate=28 September 2014}}</ref> The ], founded in 1810 by the liberal educational reformer ], became the academic ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/humboldt-university-berlin|website=Times Higher Education|title=Humboldt University of Berlin|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=15 June 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615201758/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/humboldt-university-berlin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drc.uns.ac.rs/presentations/05_DS/03-Prof.Dr.HeinrichKern.pdf|website=26th Annual Meeting of the Danube Rectors Conference|title=Humboldt's educational ideal and modern academic education|author=Kern, Heinrich|year=2010|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=24 February 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224180046/http://www.drc.uns.ac.rs/presentations/05_DS/03-Prof.Dr.HeinrichKern.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In the contemporary era Germany has developed eleven ].
The ] was once the ] of central, eastern and northern Europe, and remains one of the most popular foreign languages taught worldwide, in Europe it is the second most popular language after English. Many important historical figures, though not citizens of Germany in the modern sense, were nevertheless seen as '']'' in the sense that they were immersed in the German culture, for example ], ] and ].


=== Health ===
Since about ] Germany has once again had a thriving popular culture, now increasingly being led by its new old capital ] and the city of ], and a self-confident music and art culture. Germany is also well known for its many opera houses.
{{Main|Healthcare in Germany}}
], established in 1286, is a precursor to modern ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/hospital-of-the-holy-spirit.html |title=Hospital of the Holy Spirit Lübeck |publisher=Lübeck + Travemünde |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215044833/http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/hospital-of-the-holy-spirit.html |archivedate=15 December 2014 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}</ref>]]


Germany's system of hospitals, called {{lang|de|Krankenhäuser}}, dates from medieval times, and today, Germany has the world's oldest ] system, dating from ] of the 1880s.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/80776/E68952.pdf |title=Health Care Systems in Transition: Germany |publisher=European Observatory on Health Care Systems |year=2000 |page=8|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513054407/http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/80776/E68952.pdf |archivedate=13 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the 1880s, reforms and provisions have ensured a balanced health care system. The population is covered by a health insurance plan provided by statute, with criteria allowing some groups to opt for a private health insurance contract. According to the ] (WHO), Germany's ] was 77% government-funded and 23% privately funded {{as of|2013|lc=on}}.<ref name="health">{{Cite web |url=http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.country.country-DEU?lang=en |title=Germany statistics summary (2002–present) |publisher=World Health Organization |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606194340/http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.country.country-DEU?lang=en |archivedate=6 June 2016 |accessdate=4 June 2016}}</ref> In 2014, Germany spent 11.3% of its GDP on health care.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS |title=Health expenditure, total (% of GDP) |date=1 January 2016 |publisher=World Bank |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130122558/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS |archivedate=30 January 2017}}</ref>
''See also: ], ], ], ]: ], ], ]''


Germany ranked 21st in the world in 2019 in life expectancy with ] according to the WHO, and it had a very low ] (4 per 1,000 ]). {{As of|2019|alt=In 2019}}, the principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 37%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/419459/Country-Health-Profile-2019-Germany.pdf?ua=1|publisher=WHO|title=Germany Country Health Profile 2019|accessdate=9 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152704/https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/419459/Country-Health-Profile-2019-Germany.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ] has been increasingly cited as a major health issue. A 2014 study showed that 52 percent of the adult German population was overweight or obese.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics|title=Overweight and obesity – BMI statistics|website=Eurostat|accessdate=14 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325112121/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics|archivedate=25 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Miscellaneous topics ==

*'']''
== Culture ==
*'']''
{{Main|Culture of Germany}}
*'']''
] in ]]]
*'']''
Culture in German states has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and ], and ], ] and ] have played a significant role in the development of Western thought.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17299607 |title=Germany country profile |date=25 February 2015 |website=BBC News|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602194632/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17299607 |archivedate=2 June 2015}}</ref> Global opinion polls from the ] revealed that Germany is recognised for having the most positive influence in the world in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22624104 |title=BBC poll: Germany most popular country in the world |date=23 May 2013 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523014312/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22624104 |archivedate=23 May 2013 |newspaper=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/world-service-country-poll |title=World Service Global Poll: Negative views of Russia on the rise |date=4 June 2014 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812221010/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/world-service-country-poll |archivedate=12 August 2014 }}</ref>
*'']''

*'']''
Germany is well known for such folk festivals as the ] and ], which include ]s, ], ]s, ] cakes, and other practices.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29380144 |title=The country with one people and 1,200 sausages |last=MacGregor, Neil |date=28 September 2014 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210062000/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29380144 |archivedate=10 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/ |title=Christmas Traditions in Austria, Germany, Switzerland |publisher=German Ways |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225193546/http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/ |archivedate=25 December 2014 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, ] inscribed ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/de |title=World Heritage Sites in Germany |publisher=UNESCO |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323055317/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/de |archivedate=23 March 2016 |accessdate=22 March 2016}}</ref> There are a number of ] determined by each state; 3 October has been a ] of Germany since 1990, celebrated as the {{lang|de|Tag der Deutschen Einheit}} (]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.buzer.de/s1.htm?g=Einigungsvertrag&a=2 |title=Artikel 2 EV – Vertrag zwischen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik über die Herstellung der Einheit Deutschlands (Einigungsvertrag – EV k.a.Abk.) |publisher=buzer.de |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224034/http://www.buzer.de/s1.htm?g=Einigungsvertrag&a=2 |archivedate=23 September 2015 |accessdate=15 May 2015}}</ref>
*'']''

*'']''
=== Music ===
*'']''
*'']'' {{Main|Music of Germany}}
{{See also|Opera in German}}
*'']''
], one of the most famed composers of ], was born in ] in 1770.]]
*'']''
German ] includes works by some of the world's most well-known composers. ], ] and ] were influential composers of the ]. ] was a crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and ] eras. ], ], ] and ] were significant Romantic composers. ] was known for his operas. ] was a leading composer of the late Romantic and early ] eras. ] and ] are important composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Grove Music Online|title=Germany, Federal Republic of|author1=John Kmetz|author2=Ludwig Finscher|author3=Giselher Schubert|author4=Wilhelm Schepping|author5=Philip V. Bohlman|date=20 January 2001|doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.40055}}</ref>

In 2013, Germany was the second-largest music market in Europe, and ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/e/issue/pdf/RIAJ2013E.pdf |title=The Recorded Music Industry in Japan |year=2013 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |page=24 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818080109/http://www.riaj.or.jp/e/issue/pdf/RIAJ2013E.pdf |archivedate=18 August 2013 |accessdate=8 February 2014 }}</ref> German popular music of the 20th and 21st centuries includes the movements of ], ], ], ]/], ], ], ], ] (folk music), ] and ]. German ] gained global influence, with ] and ] pioneering in this genre.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dw.de/kraftwerk-maintain-their-legacy-as-electro-pioneers/a-6497092 |title=Kraftwerk maintain their legacy as electro-pioneers |date=8 April 2011 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404040323/http://www.dw.de//kraftwerk-maintain-their-legacy-as-electro-pioneers//a-6497092 |archivedate=4 April 2013 |website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> DJs and artists of the ] and ] scenes of Germany have become well known (e.g. ], ], ], ] and ]).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nye |first=Sean |title=Minimal Understandings: The Berlin Decade, The Minimal Continuum, and Debates on the Legacy of German Techno |url=https://www.academia.edu/3813069 |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Popular Music Studies |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101013427/http://www.academia.edu/3813069/Minimal_Understandings_The_Berlin_Decade_The_Minimal_Continuum_and_Debates_on_the_Legacy_of_German_Techno |archivedate=1 January 2015 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}</ref>

=== Art, design and architecture ===

{{Main|German art|Architecture of Germany|German fashion}}

{{multiple image
|align=right
|width1=132
|image1=Caspar David Friedrich - Wanderer above the sea of fog.jpg
|caption1=], '']'' (1818)
|width2=155
|image2=Franz Marc 020.jpg
|caption2=], ''Roe Deer in the Forest'' (1914)
}}

German painters have influenced ]. ], ], ] and ] were important German artists of the ], ] of the ], ] and ] of ], ] of ] and ] of ]. Several German art groups formed in the 20th century; {{lang|de|]}} (The Bridge) and {{lang|de|]}} (The Blue Rider) influenced the development of ] in Munich and Berlin. The ] arose in response to expressionism during the Weimar Republic. After World War II, broad trends in German art include ] and the ].<ref name="groveart">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Grove Art Online|author1=David Jenkinson|author2=Günther Binding|author2-link=Günther Binding|author3=Doris Kutschbach|author4=Ulrich Knapp|author5=Howard Caygill|author5-link=Howard Caygill|author6=Achim Preiss|author7=Helmut Börsch-Supan|author8=Thomas Kliemann|author9=April Eisman|author10=Klaus Niehr|author11=Jeffrey Chipps Smith|author12=Ulrich Leben|author13=Heidrun Zinnkann|author14=Angelika Steinmetz|author15=Walter Spiegl|author16=G. Reinheckel|author17=Hannelore Müller|author18=Gerhard Bott|author19=Peter Hornsby|author20=Anna Beatriz Chadour|author21=Erika Speel|author22=A. Kenneth Snowman|author23=Brigitte Dinger|author24=Annamaria Giusti|author25=Harald Olbrich|author26=Christian Herchenröder|author27=David Alan Robertson|author28=Dominic R. Stone|author29=Eduard Isphording|author30=Heinrich Dilly|title=Germany, Federal Republic of|date=10 December 2018|doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T031531|isbn=978-1-884446-05-4}}</ref>

German designers became early leaders of modern ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5918142/8-beautiful-things-from-bauhaus-the-single-most-influential-school-of-design |title=Bauhaus: The Single Most Influential School of Design |date=13 June 2012 |website=Gizmodo |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221015122/http://gizmodo.com/5918142/8-beautiful-things-from-bauhaus-the-single-most-influential-school-of-design |archivedate=21 December 2014}}</ref> The ] and the fashion trade fair ] are held twice a year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/germanys-fashion-capital-the-improbable-rise-of-berlin-2012011713844 |title=Berlin as a fashion capital: the improbable rise |date=12 January 2012 |publisher=Fashion United UK |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508051452/http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/germanys-fashion-capital-the-improbable-rise-of-berlin-2012011713844 |archivedate=8 May 2015}}</ref>

Architectural contributions from Germany include the ] and ] styles, which were precursors of ]. ] is a distinctive medieval style that evolved in Germany. Also in ] and ] art, regional and typically German elements evolved (e.g. ]).<ref name="groveart" /> ] in Germany is often identified by its ] ({{lang|de|Fachwerk}}) traditions and varies across regions, and among carpentry styles.<ref name="Heinrich Stiewe 2007">{{cite book|first=Heinrich |last=Stiewe|year=2007|title=Fachwerkhäuser in Deutschland: Konstruktion, Gestalt und Nutzung vom Mittelalter bis heute|publisher=Primus Verlag|isbn=978-3-89678-589-3}}</ref> When industrialisation spread across Europe, ] and a distinctive style of ] developed in Germany, sometimes referred to as {{lang|de|]}} ''style''. ] developed in the 1910s in Germany and influenced ] and other modern styles. Germany was particularly important in the early ]: it is the home of ] initiated by ] (]), and of the ] movement founded by ].<ref name="groveart" /> ] became one of the world's most renowned architects in the second half of the 20th century; he conceived of the glass façade ].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofarch00curl_0 |title=A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-860678-9 |page= |url-access=registration}}</ref> Renowned contemporary ] and offices include ] winners ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book |title=100 Contemporary Architects |last=Jodidio |first=Philip |year=2008 |publisher=Taschen |isbn=978-3-8365-0091-3 |edition=1}}</ref>

=== Literature and philosophy ===
{{Main|German literature|German philosophy}}
], who collected popular German folk tales and published them in ]]]
German literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the works of writers such as ] and ]. Well-known German authors include ], ], ] and ]. The collections of folk tales published by the ] popularised ] on an international level.<ref name="D99ff">{{cite journal |last=Dégh|first= Linda |year=1979|title=Grimm's Household Tales and its Place in the Household|journal=Western Folklore|volume=38 |number=2|pages=99–101|doi=10.2307/1498562 |jstor=1498562}}</ref> The Grimms also gathered and codified regional variants of the German language, grounding their work in historical principles; their {{lang|de|]}}, or German Dictionary, sometimes called the Grimm dictionary, was begun in 1838 and the first volumes published in 1854.<ref name="DWBhistory">{{cite web|title=History of the ''Deutsches Wörterbuch'' |url=http://150-grimm.bbaw.de/start.htm |website=DWB 150th Anniversary Exhibition and Symposium|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015142342/http://150-grimm.bbaw.de/start.htm |archivedate=15 October 2015|publisher= Humboldt-Universität|year= 2004|language=de|accessdate= 27 June 2012}}</ref>

Influential authors of the 20th century include ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=] |year=2001 |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/articles/espmark/index.html |title=The Nobel Prize in Literature |publisher=Nobelprize.org |url-status=live |archivedate=26 April 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426075458/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/articles/espmark/index.html}}</ref> The German book market is the third-largest in the world, after the United States and China.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.internationalpublishers.org/images/reports/2014/IPA-annual-report-2014.pdf |accessdate=6 July 2016 |title=Annual Report |date=October 2014 |publisher=International Publishers Association |page=13 |archivedate=11 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711214707/http://www.internationalpublishers.org/images/reports/2014/IPA-annual-report-2014.pdf}}</ref> The ] is the most important in the world for international deals and trading, with a tradition spanning over 500 years.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A History of the Frankfurt Book Fair |last1=Weidhaas |first1=Peter |last2=Gossage |first2=Carolyn |last3=Wright |first3=Wendy A. |year=2007 |url=https://archive.org/details/historyoffrankfu0000weid |publisher=Dundurn Press |isbn=978-1-55002-744-0 |pages= |url-access=registration}}</ref> The ] also retains a major position in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dw.de/leipzig-book-fair-cultural-sideshow-with-a-serious-side/a-18313879 |title=Leipzig Book Fair: Cultural sideshow with a serious side |last=Chase |first=Jefferson |date=13 March 2015 |website=] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425203420/http://www.dw.de/leipzig-book-fair-cultural-sideshow-with-a-serious-side/a-18313879 |archivedate=25 April 2015 }}</ref>

German philosophy is historically significant: ]'s contributions to ]; the ] philosophy by ]; the establishment of classical ] by ], ] and ]; ]'s composition of metaphysical pessimism; the formulation of ] by ] and ]; ]'s development of ]; ]'s contributions to the dawn of ]; ]'s works on Being; ]'s historical philosophy; and the development of the ] have all been very influential.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Blackwell Companion to Philosophy |last=Searle, John |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |year=1987 |chapter=Introduction}}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Media of Germany|Cinema of Germany}}
] in ]]]
The largest internationally operating ] companies in Germany are ], ] and ]. ] is the largest in Europe, with over 38&nbsp;million TV households as of 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.astra.de/16795168/tv-verbreitung_in_deutschland |title=Distribution of TV in Germany (German) |date=19 February 2013 |publisher=Astra Sat |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101012509/http://www.astra.de/16795168/tv-verbreitung_in_deutschland |archivedate=1 January 2015 }}</ref> Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV, with a variety of ] and ] channels.<ref name="media" /> There are more than ]; Germany's national radio network is the ] and the public ] is the main German radio and television broadcaster in foreign languages.<ref name="media" /> Germany's print market of ] and ] is the largest in Europe.<ref name="media">{{cite web|url=https://medialandscapes.org/country/germany|title=Germany|publisher=Media Landscapes|accessdate=14 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327081145/https://medialandscapes.org/country/germany|archivedate=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The papers with the highest circulation are {{lang|de|]}}, {{lang|de|]}}, {{lang|de|]}} and {{lang|de|]}}.<ref name="media" /> The largest magazines include {{lang|de|]}} and {{lang|de|]}}.<ref name="media" /> Germany has ], with over 34 million players nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-16-german-consumers-spent-4-4bn-on-video-games-in-2018|title=German consumers spent €4.4bn on video games in 2018|last=Batchelor|first=James|date=16 July 2019|website=GamesIndustry.biz|accessdate=15 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509014644/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-16-german-consumers-spent-4-4bn-on-video-games-in-2018|archivedate=9 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] is the world's largest ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Keza |date=23 August 2022 |title=Pushing Buttons: What to expect from the world's biggest games convention |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/aug/23/pushing-buttons-gamescom-worlds-biggest-gaming-convention |archive-date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726020832/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/aug/23/pushing-buttons-gamescom-worlds-biggest-gaming-convention |url-status=live }}</ref>

German cinema has made major technical and artistic contributions to film. The first works of the ] were shown to an audience in 1895. The renowned ] in ] was established in 1912, thus being the first large-scale film studio in the world. Early German cinema was particularly influential with ] such as ] and ]. Director ]'s '']'' (1927) is referred to as the first major science-fiction film. After 1945, many of the films of the immediate post-war period can be characterised as {{lang|de|]}} (rubble film). East German film was dominated by the state-owned film studio ], while the dominant genre in West Germany was the {{lang|de|]}} ("homeland film").<ref>{{cite book|first=Stephen |last=Brockmann|title=A Critical History of German Film|url=https://archive.org/details/criticalhistoryg00broc |url-access=limited |publisher=Camden House|year= 2010|page= |isbn=978-1-57113-468-4}}</ref> During the 1970s and 1980s, ] directors such as ], ], ], and ] brought West German auteur cinema to critical acclaim.

The ] ("Oscar") went to the German production '']'' ({{lang|de|Die Blechtrommel}}) in 1979, to '']'' ({{lang|de|Nirgendwo in Afrika}}) in 2002, and to '']'' ({{lang|de|Das Leben der Anderen}}) in 2007. ] won an Oscar for their performances in other films. The annual ]s ceremony is held every other year in Berlin, home of the ]. The ], known as "Berlinale", awarding the "]" and held annually since 1951, is one of the world's leading ]s. The "Lolas" are annually awarded in Berlin, at the ].<ref>{{cite book|page=331|title=Historical Dictionary of German Cinema|author1=Reimer, Robert |author2=Reimer, Carol|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2019|isbn=978-1-5381-1940-2}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|German cuisine}}
] with mustard, a ], and ]]]
German cuisine varies from region to region and often neighbouring regions share some culinary similarities, including with the southern regions of ] and ], ], and ]. International varieties such as ], ], ], ], ], and ] are also popular.

] is a significant part of German cuisine and German bakeries produce about 600 main types of bread and 1,200 types of pastries and ] ({{lang|de|Brötchen}}).<ref>{{cite book|page=344|title=The World of Wine and Food: A Guide to Varieties, Tastes, History, and Pairings|last=Philpott|first=Don|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4422-6804-3}}</ref> ] account for about 22% of all cheese produced in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/EDN-20190119-1|website=Eurostat|title=Where does our cheese come from?|date=19 January 2019|accessdate=15 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204144839/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/EDN-20190119-1|archivedate=4 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 over 99% of all meat produced in Germany was either pork, chicken or beef. Germans produce their ubiquitous sausages in almost 1,500 varieties, including ]s and ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-hams-sausages-meats-guide/ |title=Guide to German Hams and Sausages |publisher=German Foods North America |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322084957/http://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-hams-sausages-meats-guide/ |archivedate=22 March 2015 |accessdate=26 March 2015 }}</ref>

The national alcoholic drink is ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/lifestyle/recipes/in-depth-look-at-germanys-national-drink-beer/videoshow/16419704.cms|work=]|access-date=29 September 2021|date=16 September 2012|title=In-depth look at Germany's national drink – beer|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930074944/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/lifestyle/recipes/in-depth-look-at-germanys-national-drink-beer/videoshow/16419704.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> German beer consumption per person stands at {{convert|110|litres|0}} in 2013 and remains among the ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-10-heaviest-beer-drinking-countries-czech-republic-germany-sink-most-pints-1475764 |title=Top 10 Heaviest Beer-drinking Countries: Czech Republic and Germany Sink Most Pints |first=Samantha |last=Payne |date=20 November 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513195740/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-10-heaviest-beer-drinking-countries-czech-republic-germany-sink-most-pints-1475764 |archivedate=13 May 2015 |work=International Business Times}}</ref> ] date back to the 16th century.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/492-years-of-good-beer-germans-toast-the-anniversary-of-their-beer-purity-law-a-549175.html |title=492 Years of Good Beer: Germans Toast the Anniversary of Their Beer Purity Law |date=23 April 2008 |work=Spiegel Online |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506121630/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,549175,00.html |archivedate=6 May 2008}}</ref> ] has become popular in many parts of the country, especially close to ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.germanwineusa.com/press-trade/statistics.html |title=German Wine Statistics |publisher=Wines of Germany, Deutsches Weininstitut |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20141214121534/http://www.germanwineusa.com/press-trade/statistics.html |archivedate=14 December 2014 |accessdate=14 December 2014}}</ref> In 2019, Germany was the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/240638/wine-production-in-selected-countries-and-regions/|website=Statista|title=Wine production worldwide in 2019, by country (in million hectoliters)|accessdate=14 March 2021|archivedate=1 April 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401002003/https://www.statista.com/statistics/240638/wine-production-in-selected-countries-and-regions/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2018 '']'' awarded ], giving the country a cumulative total of 300 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/germany-michelin-stars|website=Food and Wine|title=Germany Was Just Awarded Its 300th Michelin Star|last=Heller|first=Charlie|date=15 November 2017|accessdate=15 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228210645/http://www.foodandwine.com/news/germany-michelin-stars|archivedate=28 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Germany}}
] after winning the ] for the fourth time in 2014]]
] is the most popular sport in Germany. With more than 7&nbsp;million official members, the ] (''Deutscher Fußball-Bund'') is the largest single-sport organisation worldwide,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/dfb-presidential-candidate-fritz-keller-promises-no-more-one-man-show/a-50119403|website=DW|title=DFB: presidential candidate Fritz Keller promises 'no more one-man show'|last=Schalling|first=Herbert|date=21 August 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329034515/https://www.dw.com/en/dfb-presidential-candidate-fritz-keller-promises-no-more-one-man-show/a-50119403|archivedate=29 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and the German top league, the ], attracts the second-highest ] of all professional sports leagues in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/attendance-sports-leagues-world-2015-5|website=Business Insider|title=The NFL and Major League Baseball are the most attended sports leagues in the world|last=Gaines|first=Cork|date=22 May 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831191916/https://www.businessinsider.com/attendance-sports-leagues-world-2015-5|archivedate=31 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] won the ] in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/archive/|publisher=FIFA|title=FIFA World Cup Timeline|accessdate=7 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305190808/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/archive/|archivedate=5 March 2020}}</ref> the ] in 1972, 1980 and 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/index.html|publisher=UEFA|title=History|accessdate=7 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418050335/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/index.html|archivedate=18 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/|publisher=FIFA|title=Confederations Cup|accessdate=7 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312140436/https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/|archivedate=12 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Germany is one of the leading ] countries in the world. Constructors like ] and ] are prominent manufacturers in motor sport. ] has won the ] race 19 times, and ] 13 times ({{As of|2024|04|lc=y}}).<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Damien|title=Porsche to make Le Mans 24 Hours return in 2023|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-news/porsche-make-le-mans-24-hours-return-2023|work=Autocar|date=15 December 2020|accessdate=12 April 2021|archivedate=12 April 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412125853/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-news/porsche-make-le-mans-24-hours-return-2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The driver ] has set many motor sport records during his career, having won seven ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/23/formulaone.sport |title=What we will miss about Michael Schumacher |last=Ornstein |first=David |date=23 October 2006 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108044532/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/23/formulaone.sport |archivedate=8 January 2014 }}</ref> ] is also among the most successful ] drivers of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/vettel-makes-formula-one-history-with-eighth-successive-victory-29761655.html |title=Vettel makes Formula One history with eighth successive victory |date=17 November 2013 |work=Irish Independent|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203024830/http://www.independent.ie/sport/vettel-makes-formula-one-history-with-eighth-successive-victory-29761655.html |archivedate=3 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

] historically have been successful contenders in the ], ranking third in an ] when combining ] and ] medals prior to ].<ref>{{cite book|page=99|title=Success and Failure of Countries at the Olympic Games|publisher=Routledge|last=Reiche|first=Danyel|year=2016|isbn=978-1-317-63277-1}}</ref> In 1936 Berlin hosted the ] and the ] in ]. ] hosted the ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Large|first= David Clay|title=Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936|url=https://archive.org/details/nazigamesolympic00larg|url-access=registration|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year= 2007|isbn=978-0-393-05884-0|pages=136, 337}}</ref>{{sfn|Large|2007|p=337}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Germany|Europe}}
* ]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
* {{cite book|last=Fulbrook|first=Mary|year=1991|title=A Concise History of Germany|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-36836-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780521368360}}
* {{cite book |last1=Murdoch |first1=Adrian |year=2004 |chapter=Germania Romana |editor1-last=Murdoch |editor1-first=Brian |editor1-link=Brian O. Murdoch |editor2-last=Read |editor2-first=Malcolm |title=] |url= |publisher=] |pages=55–73 |isbn=1-57113-199-X}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{Spoken Misplaced Pages|date=27 May 2023|Germany 2023.ogg}}
* &mdash; Official site published by the German Federal Foreign Office
{{Sister project links|Germany|collapsible=collapsed|voy=Germany}}
* &mdash; Official German portal
<!--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, put it in a more specific article.-->
* &mdash; Study and Research in Germany (multilingual)
*
* Germany's international broadcaster, 30 language website
*
* &mdash; Federal Statistical Office Germany (in English)
* from ]
* &mdash; More official statistical data
* . '']''. ].
* &mdash; Official site of the German Federal Government
* from the ]
* &mdash; Official site of the German President
* at the ]
* &mdash; Official site of the German Parliament
* {{osmrelation-inline|51477}}
* &mdash; How Germany works, published by the German Federal Government

* &mdash; The World fact book page of Germany (source : CIA)
{{Germany topics}}
* &mdash; Panoramic views of numerous German Cities
{{Navboxes
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* &mdash; German newspaper portal

* &mdash; Ex-Pat Guide To Germany in English
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Revision as of 19:56, 23 December 2024

Country in Central Europe "Deutschland" redirects here. For other uses, see Deutschland (disambiguation) and Germany (disambiguation). "Federal Republic of Germany" redirects here. For the country from 1949–1990, see West Germany.

Federal Republic of GermanyBundesrepublik Deutschland (German)
Flag of Germany Flag Coat of arms of Germany Coat of arms
Anthem: "Das Lied der Deutschen"
("The Song of the Germans")
Show globeShow map of EuropeLocation of Germany (dark green)

– in Europe (light green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (light green)

Capitaland largest cityBerlin
52°31′N 13°23′E / 52.517°N 13.383°E / 52.517; 13.383
Official languagesGerman
Demonym(s)German
GovernmentFederal parliamentary republic
• President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
• Chancellor Olaf Scholz
LegislatureBundestag, Bundesrat
Area
• Total357,596 km (138,069 sq mi) (63rd)
• Water (%)1.27
Population
• 2022 censusNeutral increase 82,719,540 (19th)
• Density236/km (611.2/sq mi) (58th)
GDP (PPP)2024 estimate
• TotalIncrease $6.017 trillion (6th)
• Per capitaIncrease $70,930 (22nd)
GDP (nominal)2024 estimate
• TotalIncrease $4.710 trillion (3rd)
• Per capitaIncrease $55,521 (17th)
Gini (2023)Negative increase 29.4
low inequality
HDI (2022)Increase 0.950
very high (7th)
CurrencyEuro () (EUR)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Date format
  • Day, month, year
  • Year, month, day
Drives onRight
Calling code+49
ISO 3166 codeDE
Internet TLD.de

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic and North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen constituent states have a total population of over 82 million in an area of 357,596 km (138,069 sq mi), making it the most populous member state of the European Union. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. The nation's capital and most populous city is Berlin and its main financial centre is Frankfurt; the largest urban area is the Ruhr.

Settlement in the territory of modern Germany began in the Lower Paleolithic, with various tribes inhabiting it from the Neolithic onward, chiefly the Celts. Various Germanic tribes have inhabited the northern parts of modern Germany since classical antiquity. A region named Germania was documented before AD 100. In 962, the Kingdom of Germany formed the bulk of the Holy Roman Empire. During the 16th century, northern German regions became the centre of the Protestant Reformation. Following the Napoleonic Wars and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the German Confederation was formed in 1815.

Formal unification of Germany into the modern nation-state commenced on 18 August 1866 with the North German Confederation Treaty establishing the Prussia-led North German Confederation, which became the German Empire in 1871. After World War I and the German Revolution of 1918–1919, the Empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic. The Nazi rise to power in 1933 led to the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship, World War II, and the Holocaust. In 1949, after the war and a period of Allied occupation, Germany was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, or West Germany, and the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany. Berlin continued its de jure Four Power status. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the European Economic Community and the European Union, while the German Democratic Republic was a communist Eastern Bloc state and member of the Warsaw Pact. After the fall of the communist led-government in East Germany, German reunification saw the former East German states join the Federal Republic of Germany on 3 October 1990.

Germany has been described as a great power with a strong economy; it has the largest economy in Europe by nominal GDP. As a global power in industrial, scientific and technological sectors, it is both the world's third-largest exporter and importer. As a developed country, it offers social security, a universal health care system, and tuition-free university education. Germany is a member of the United Nations, Council of Europe, NATO and OECD, and a founding member of the European Union, G7 and G20. It has the third-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 54, of which 51 are cultural.

Etymology

Further information: Names of Germany, Germani, and Germania

The English word Germany derives from the Latin Germania, which came into use after Julius Caesar adopted it for the peoples east of the Rhine. The German term Deutschland, originally diutisciu land ('the German lands'), is derived from deutsch (cf. Dutch), descended from Old High German diutisc 'of the people' (from diot or diota 'people'), originally used to distinguish the language of the common people from Latin and its Romance descendants. This in turn descends from Proto-Germanic *þiudiskaz 'of the people' (see also the Latinised form Theodiscus), derived from *þeudō, descended from Proto-Indo-European *tewtéh₂- 'people', from which the word Teutons also originates.

History

Main article: History of Germany For a chronological guide, see Timeline of German history.

Prehistory

Main articles: Linear Pottery culture, Unetice culture, Urnfield culture, and Celts

Pre-human ancestors, the Danuvius guggenmosi, who were present in Germany over 11 million years ago, are theorized to be among the earliest ones to walk on two legs. Ancient humans were present in Germany at least 600,000 years ago. The first non-modern human fossil (the Neanderthal) was discovered in the Neander Valley. Similarly dated evidence of modern humans has been found in the Swabian Jura, including 42,000-year-old flutes which are the oldest musical instruments ever found, the 40,000-year-old Lion Man, and the 41,000-year-old Venus of Hohle Fels. The Nebra sky disk, created during the European Bronze Age, has been attributed to a German site.

Germanic tribes, Roman frontier and the Frankish Empire

Main articles: Jastorf culture, Germanic peoples, Germania, Migration Period, and Frankish Realm
Basilica of Constantine in Trier (Augusta Treverorum), built in the 4th century

The Germanic peoples are thought to have emerged from the Jastorf culture during the Nordic Bronze Age or early Iron Age. From southern Scandinavia and northern Germany, they expanded south, east, and west, coming into contact with the Celtic, Iranian, Baltic, and Slavic tribes. Southern Germany was inhabited by Celtic-speaking peoples, who belonged to the wider La Tène culture. They were later assimilated by the Germanic conquerors.

Under Augustus, the Roman Empire began to invade lands inhabited by the Germanic tribes, creating a short-lived Roman province of Germania between the Rhine and Elbe rivers. In 9 AD, three Roman legions were defeated by Arminius in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. The outcome of this battle dissuaded the Romans from their ambition of conquering Germania and is thus considered one of the most important events in European history. By 100 AD, when Tacitus wrote Germania, Germanic tribes had settled along the Rhine and the Danube (the Limes Germanicus), occupying most of modern Germany. However, Baden-Württemberg, southern Bavaria, southern Hesse and the western Rhineland had been incorporated into Roman provinces.

Around 260, Germanic peoples broke into Roman-controlled lands. After the invasion of the Huns in 375, and with the decline of Rome from 395, Germanic tribes moved farther southwest: the Franks established the Frankish Kingdom and pushed east to subjugate Saxony and Bavaria. Areas of what is today eastern Germany were inhabited by Western Slavic tribes.

East Francia and the Holy Roman Empire

Main articles: East Francia and Holy Roman Empire
East Francia in 843
Martin Luther, born in Eisleben in 1483, challenged the indulgences of the Catholic Church, giving rise to the Reformation and Protestantism.

Charlemagne founded the Carolingian Empire in 800; it was divided in 843. The eastern successor kingdom of East Francia stretched from the Rhine in the west to the Elbe river in the east and from the North Sea to the Alps. Subsequently, the Holy Roman Empire emerged from it. The Ottonian rulers (919–1024) consolidated several major duchies. In 996, Gregory V became the first German Pope, appointed by his cousin Otto III, whom he shortly after crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The Holy Roman Empire absorbed northern Italy and Burgundy under the Salian emperors (1024–1125), although the emperors lost power through the Investiture controversy.

Under the Hohenstaufen emperors (1138–1254), German princes encouraged German settlement to the south and east (Ostsiedlung). Members of the Hanseatic League, mostly north German towns, prospered in the expansion of trade. The population declined starting with the Great Famine in 1315, followed by the Black Death of 1348–1350. The Golden Bull issued in 1356 provided the constitutional structure of the Empire and codified the election of the emperor by seven prince-electors.

Johannes Gutenberg introduced moveable-type printing to Europe, laying the basis for the democratization of knowledge. In 1517, Martin Luther incited the Protestant Reformation and his translation of the Bible began the standardization of the language; the 1555 Peace of Augsburg tolerated the "Evangelical" faith (Lutheranism), but also decreed that the faith of the prince was to be the faith of his subjects (cuius regio, eius religio). From the Cologne War through the Thirty Years' Wars (1618–1648), religious conflict devastated German lands and significantly reduced the population.

The Peace of Westphalia ended religious warfare among the Imperial Estates. The legal system initiated by a series of Imperial Reforms (approximately 1495–1555) provided for considerable local autonomy and a stronger Imperial Diet. The House of Habsburg held the imperial crown from 1438 until the death of Charles VI in 1740. Following the War of the Austrian Succession and the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Charles VI's daughter Maria Theresa ruled as empress consort when her husband, Francis I, became emperor.

From 1740, dualism between the Austrian Habsburg monarchy and the Kingdom of Prussia dominated German history. In 1772, 1793, and 1795, Prussia and Austria, along with the Russian Empire, agreed to the Partitions of Poland. During the period of the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic era and the subsequent final meeting of the Imperial Diet, most of the Free Imperial Cities were annexed by dynastic territories; the ecclesiastical territories were secularised and annexed. In 1806 the Imperium was dissolved; France, Russia, Prussia, and the Habsburgs (Austria) competed for hegemony in the German states during the Napoleonic Wars.

German Confederation and Empire

Main articles: German question, German Confederation, Unification of Germany, German Empire, and German colonial empire
The German Confederation in 1815

Following the fall of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna founded the German Confederation, a loose league of 39 sovereign states. The appointment of the emperor of Austria as the permanent president reflected the Congress's rejection of Prussia's rising influence. Disagreement within restoration politics partly led to the rise of liberal movements, followed by new measures of repression by Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich. The Zollverein, a tariff union, furthered economic unity. In light of revolutionary movements in Europe, intellectuals and commoners started the revolutions of 1848 in the German states, raising the German question. King Frederick William IV of Prussia was offered the title of emperor, but with a loss of power; he rejected the crown and the proposed constitution, a temporary setback for the movement.

Berlin Palace, the main residence of the House of Hohenzollern

King William I appointed Otto von Bismarck as the Minister President of Prussia in 1862. Bismarck successfully concluded the war with Denmark in 1864; the subsequent decisive Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 enabled him to create the North German Confederation which excluded Austria. After the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, the German princes proclaimed the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Prussia was the dominant constituent state of the new empire; the King of Prussia ruled as its Kaiser, and Berlin became its capital.

In the Gründerzeit period following the unification of Germany, Bismarck's foreign policy as chancellor of Germany secured Germany's position as a great nation by forging alliances and avoiding war. However, under Wilhelm II, Germany took an imperialistic course, leading to friction with neighbouring countries. A dual alliance was created with the multinational realm of Austria-Hungary; the Triple Alliance of 1882 included Italy. Britain, France and Russia also concluded alliances to protect against Habsburg interference with Russian interests in the Balkans or German interference against France. At the Berlin Conference in 1884, Germany claimed several colonies including German East Africa, German South West Africa, Togoland, and Kamerun. Later, Germany further expanded its colonial empire to include holdings in the Pacific and China. The colonial government in South West Africa (present-day Namibia), from 1904 to 1907, carried out the annihilation of the local Herero and Namaqua peoples as punishment for an uprising; this was the 20th century's first genocide.

The assassination of Austria's crown prince on 28 June 1914 provided the pretext for Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia and trigger World War I. After four years of warfare, in which approximately two million German soldiers were killed, a general armistice ended the fighting. In the German Revolution (November 1918), Wilhelm II and the ruling princes abdicated their positions, and Germany was declared a federal republic. Germany's new leadership signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, accepting defeat by the Allies. Germans perceived the treaty as humiliating, which was seen by historians as influential in the rise of Adolf Hitler. Germany lost around 13% of its European territory and ceded all of its colonial possessions in Africa and the Pacific.

Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany

Main articles: Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany
Adolf Hitler, dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945
A map of German-occupied Europe in 1942 during World War II with areas controlled by the German Reich shown in bold black

On 11 August 1919, President Friedrich Ebert signed the democratic Weimar Constitution. Communists briefly seized power in Bavaria and a few larger cities, while conservative elements failed to overthrow the central government in the 1920 Kapp Putsch. The occupation of the Ruhr by Belgian and French troops and a period of hyperinflation followed. A plan to restructure Germany's war reparations and the creation of a new currency in 1924 helped stabilise the government and ushered in the Golden Twenties, an era of artistic innovation and liberal cultural life.

The worldwide Great Depression hit Germany in 1929, and by 1932 the unemployment rate had risen to 24%. The Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler became the largest party in the Reichstag after the election of July 1932, and President Hindenburg appointed Hitler chancellor on 30 January 1933. After the Reichstag fire, a decree abrogated basic civil rights, and the first Nazi concentration camp opened. On 23 March 1933, the Enabling Act gave Hitler unrestricted legislative power, overriding the constitution, and marked the beginning of Nazi Germany. His government established a centralised totalitarian state, withdrew from the League of Nations, and dramatically increased the country's rearmament. A government-sponsored programme for economic renewal focused on public works, the most famous of which was the Autobahn.

In 1935, the regime withdrew from the Treaty of Versailles and introduced the Nuremberg Laws which targeted Jews and other minorities. Germany also reacquired control of the Saarland in 1935, remilitarised the Rhineland in 1936, annexed Austria in 1938, annexed the Sudetenland in 1938 with the Munich Agreement, and in violation of the agreement occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939. Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) saw the burning of synagogues, the destruction of Jewish businesses, and mass arrests of Jewish people.

In August 1939, Hitler's government negotiated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact that divided Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, beginning World War II in Europe; Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September. In the spring of 1940, Germany conquered Denmark and Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, forcing the French government to sign an armistice. The British repelled German air attacks in the Battle of Britain in the same year. In 1941, German troops invaded Yugoslavia, Greece and the Soviet Union. By 1942, Germany and its allies controlled most of continental Europe and North Africa, but following the Soviet victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, the Allied reconquest of North Africa and invasion of Italy in 1943, German forces suffered repeated military defeats. In 1944, the Soviets pushed into Eastern Europe; the Western allies landed in France and entered Germany despite a final German counteroffensive. Following Hitler's suicide during the Battle of Berlin, Germany signed the surrender document on 8 May 1945, ending World War II in Europe and Nazi Germany. Following the end of the war, surviving Nazi officials were tried for war crimes at the Nuremberg trials.

In what later became known as the Holocaust, the German government persecuted minorities, including interning them in concentration and death camps across Europe. The regime systematically murdered 6 million Jews, at least 130,000 Romani, 275,000 disabled, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses, thousands of homosexuals, and hundreds of thousands of political and religious opponents. Nazi policies in German-occupied countries resulted in the deaths of an estimated 2.7 million Poles, 1.3 million Ukrainians, 1 million Belarusians and 3.5 million Soviet prisoners of war. German military casualties have been estimated at 5.3 million, and around 900,000 German civilians died. Around 12 million ethnic Germans were expelled from across Eastern Europe, and Germany lost roughly one-quarter of its pre-war territory.

East and West Germany

Main articles: History of Germany (1945–1990), Allied-occupied Germany, West Germany, and East Germany
The Berlin Wall during its fall in 1989 and the Brandenburg Gate (background) was one of the first developments in the end of the Cold War, leading ultimately to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

After Nazi Germany surrendered, the Allies de jure abolished the German state and partitioned Berlin and Germany's remaining territory into four occupation zones. The western sectors, controlled by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, were merged on 23 May 1949 to form the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland); on 7 October 1949, the Soviet Zone became the German Democratic Republic (GDR) (German: Deutsche Demokratische Republik; DDR). They were informally known as West Germany and East Germany. East Germany selected East Berlin as its capital, while West Germany chose Bonn as a provisional capital, to emphasise its stance that the two-state solution was temporary.

West Germany was established as a federal parliamentary republic with a "social market economy". Starting in 1948 West Germany became a major recipient of reconstruction aid under the American Marshall Plan. Konrad Adenauer was elected the first federal chancellor of Germany in 1949. The country enjoyed prolonged economic growth (Wirtschaftswunder) beginning in the early 1950s. West Germany joined NATO in 1955 and was a founding member of the European Economic Community. On 1 January 1957, the Saarland joined West Germany.

East Germany was an Eastern Bloc state under political and military control by the Soviet Union via occupation forces and the Warsaw Pact. Although East Germany claimed to be a democracy, political power was exercised solely by leading members (Politbüro) of the communist-controlled Socialist Unity Party of Germany, supported by the Stasi, an immense secret service. While East German propaganda was based on the benefits of the GDR's social programmes and the alleged threat of a West German invasion, many of its citizens looked to the West for freedom and prosperity. The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, prevented East German citizens from escaping to West Germany, becoming a symbol of the Cold War.

Tensions between East and West Germany were reduced in the late 1960s by Chancellor Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik. In 1989, Hungary decided to dismantle the Iron Curtain and open its border with Austria, causing the emigration of thousands of East Germans to West Germany via Hungary and Austria. This had devastating effects on the GDR, where regular mass demonstrations received increasing support. In an effort to help retain East Germany as a state, the East German authorities eased border restrictions, but this actually led to an acceleration of the Wende reform process culminating in the Two Plus Four Treaty under which Germany regained full sovereignty. This permitted German reunification on 3 October 1990, with the accession of the five re-established states of the former GDR. The fall of the Wall in 1989 became a symbol of the Fall of Communism, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, German reunification and Die Wende ("the turning point").

Reunified Germany and the European Union

Main articles: German reunification and History of Germany since 1990

United Germany was considered the enlarged continuation of West Germany so it retained its memberships in international organisations. Based on the Berlin/Bonn Act (1994), Berlin again became the capital of Germany, while Bonn obtained the unique status of a Bundesstadt (federal city) retaining some federal ministries. The relocation of the government was completed in 1999, and modernisation of the East German economy was scheduled to last until 2019.

Since reunification, Germany has taken a more active role in the European Union, signing the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007, and co-founding the eurozone. Germany sent a peacekeeping force to secure stability in the Balkans and sent German troops to Afghanistan as part of a NATO effort to provide security in that country after the ousting of the Taliban.

In the 2005 elections, Angela Merkel became the first female chancellor. In 2009, the German government approved a €50 billion stimulus plan. Among the major German political projects of the early 21st century are the advancement of European integration, the energy transition (Energiewende) for a sustainable energy supply, the debt brake for balanced budgets, measures to increase the fertility rate (pronatalism), and high-tech strategies for the transition of the German economy, summarised as Industry 4.0. During the 2015 European migrant crisis, the country took in over a million refugees and migrants.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Germany
A physical map of Germany

Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and Czechia to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. Germany is also bordered by the North Sea and, at the north-northeast, by the Baltic Sea. German territory covers 357,596 km (138,069 sq mi). Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Alps (highest point: the Zugspitze at 2,963 metres or 9,721 feet) in the south to the shores of the North Sea (Nordsee) in the northwest and the Baltic Sea (Ostsee) in the northeast. The forested uplands of central Germany and the lowlands of northern Germany (lowest point: in the municipality Neuendorf-Sachsenbande, Wilstermarsch at 3.54 metres or 11.6 feet below sea level) are traversed by such major rivers as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe. Significant natural resources include iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, and nickel.

Climate

Most of Germany has a temperate climate, ranging from oceanic in the north and west to continental in the east and southeast. Winters range from the cold in the Southern Alps to cool and are generally overcast with limited precipitation, while summers can vary from hot and dry to cool and rainy. The northern regions have prevailing westerly winds that bring in moist air from the North Sea, moderating the temperature and increasing precipitation. Conversely, the southeast regions have more extreme temperatures.

From February 2019 – 2020, average monthly temperatures in Germany ranged from a low of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in January 2020 to a high of 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) in June 2019. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 30 litres per square metre in February and April 2019 to 125 litres per square metre in February 2020. Average monthly hours of sunshine ranged from 45 in November 2019 to 300 in June 2019.

Biodiversity

Berchtesgaden National Park in Bavaria

The territory of Germany can be divided into five terrestrial ecoregions: Atlantic mixed forests, Baltic mixed forests, Central European mixed forests, Western European broadleaf forests, and Alps conifer and mixed forests. As of 2016, 51% of Germany's land area is devoted to agriculture, while 30% is forested and 14% is covered by settlements or infrastructure.

Plants and animals include those generally common to Central Europe. According to the National Forest Inventory, beeches, oaks, and other deciduous trees constitute just over 40% of the forests; roughly 60% are conifers, particularly spruce and pine. There are many species of ferns, flowers, fungi, and mosses. Wild animals include roe deer, wild boar, mouflon (a subspecies of wild sheep), fox, badger, hare, and small numbers of the Eurasian beaver. The blue cornflower was once a German national symbol.

The 16 national parks in Germany include the Jasmund National Park, the Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park, the Müritz National Park, the Wadden Sea National Parks, the Harz National Park, the Hainich National Park, the Black Forest National Park, the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the Bavarian Forest National Park and the Berchtesgaden National Park. In addition, there are 17 Biosphere Reserves, and 105 nature parks. More than 400 zoos and animal parks operate in Germany. The Berlin Zoo, which opened in 1844, is the oldest in Germany, and claims the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Germany, Taxation in Germany, and Federal budget of Germany Frank-Walter SteinmeierFrank-Walter Steinmeier
president since 2017Olaf ScholzOlaf Scholz
chancellor since 2021

Germany is a federal, parliamentary, representative democratic republic. Federal legislative power is vested in the parliament consisting of the Bundestag (Federal Diet) and Bundesrat (Federal Council), which together form the legislative body. The Bundestag is elected through direct elections using the mixed-member proportional representation system. The members of the Bundesrat represent and are appointed by the governments of the sixteen federated states. The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitution known as the Grundgesetz (Basic Law). Amendments generally require a two-thirds majority of both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat; the fundamental principles of the constitution, as expressed in the articles guaranteeing human dignity, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the rule of law, are valid in perpetuity.

The president, currently Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is the head of state and invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the Bundesversammlung (federal convention), an institution consisting of the members of the Bundestag and an equal number of state delegates. The second-highest official in the German order of precedence is the Bundestagspräsident (President of the Bundestag), who is elected by the Bundestag and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body. The third-highest official and the head of government is the chancellor, who is appointed by the Bundespräsident after being elected by the party or coalition with the most seats in the Bundestag. The chancellor, currently Olaf Scholz, is the head of government and exercises executive power through his Cabinet.

Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Germany. So far every chancellor has been a member of one of these parties. However, the smaller liberal Free Democratic Party and the Alliance 90/The Greens have also been junior partners in coalition governments. Since 2007, the democratic socialist party The Left has been a staple in the German Bundestag, though they have never been part of the federal government. In the 2017 German federal election, the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany gained enough votes to attain representation in the parliament for the first time.

Constituent states

Main articles: States of Germany, Federalism in Germany, and List of current Minister-presidents of the German federal states

Germany is a federation and comprises sixteen constituent states which are collectively referred to as Länder. Each state (Land) has its own constitution, and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation. As of 2017, Germany is divided into 401 districts (Kreise) at a municipal level; these consist of 294 rural districts and 107 urban districts.

Lower Saxony Lower Saxony Free Hanseatic City of Bremen Bremen Hamburg Hamburg Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern
Saxony-Anhalt Saxony-
Anhalt
Saxony Saxony Brandenburg Brandenburg Berlin Berlin Thuringia Thuringia Hesse Hesse North Rhine-Westphalia North Rhine-
Westphalia
Rhineland-Palatinate Rhineland-Palatinate Bavaria Bavaria Baden-Württemberg Baden-
Württemberg
Saarland Saarland Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein
State Capital Area Population
(Census 2022)
Nominal GDP Nominal GDP per capita EUR (2023)
km mi Billions EUR (2023) Share of
GDP (%)
Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart 35,751 13,804 11,104,040 615.071 14.92 54,339
Bavaria Munich 70,550 27,240 13,038,724 768.469 18.65 57,343
Berlin Berlin 892 344 3,596,999 193.219 4.69 51,209
Brandenburg Potsdam 29,654 11,449 2,534,075 97.477 2.37 37,814
Bremen Bremen 420 162 693,204 39.252 0.95 56,981
Hamburg Hamburg 755 292 1,808,846 150.575 3.65 79,176
Hesse Wiesbaden 21,115 8,153 6,207,278 351.139 8.52 54,806
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Schwerin 23,214 8,963 1,570,817 59.217 1.44 36,335
Lower Saxony Hanover 47,593 18,376 7,943,265 363.109 8.81 44,531
North Rhine-Westphalia Düsseldorf 34,113 13,171 17,890,489 839.084 20.36 46,194
Rhineland-Palatinate Mainz 19,854 7,666 4,094,169 174.249 4.23 41,797
Saarland Saarbrücken 2,569 992 1,006,864 41.348 1.00 41,617
Saxony Dresden 18,416 7,110 4,038,131 155.982 3.78 38,143
Saxony-Anhalt Magdeburg 20,452 7,897 2,146,443 78.38 1.90 35,911
Schleswig-Holstein Kiel 15,802 6,101 2,927,542 118.68 2.88 40,090
Thuringia Erfurt 16,202 6,256 2,110,396 75.909 1.84 35,715
Germany Berlin 357,386 137,988 82,719,540 4,121.16 100 48,750

Law

Main articles: Law of Germany, Judiciary of Germany, and Law enforcement in Germany

Germany has a civil law system based on Roman law with some references to Germanic law. The Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of judicial review. Germany's specialized supreme court system includes the inquisitorial Federal Court of Justice for civil and criminal cases, along with the Federal Labour Court, Federal Social Court, Federal Fiscal Court, and Federal Administrative Court for other matters.

Criminal and private laws are codified on the national level in the Strafgesetzbuch and the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch respectively. The German penal system seeks the rehabilitation of the criminal and the protection of the public. With the exceptions of petty crimes, tried by a single professional judge, and of serious political crimes, all charges are adjudicated by mixed tribunals where lay judges (Schöffen) and professional judges preside together.

As of 2016, Germany's murder rate stood at a low of 1.18 murders per 100,000. In 2018, the overall crime rate fell to its lowest since 1992.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Germany since 2017, and LGBT rights are generally protected in the nation.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Germany
Germany hosted the 2022 G7 summit at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria.

Germany has a network of 227 diplomatic missions abroad and maintains relations with more than 190 countries. Germany is a member of NATO, the OECD, the G7, the G20, the World Bank and the IMF. It has played an influential role in the European Union since its inception and has maintained a strong alliance with France and all neighbouring countries since 1990. Germany promotes the creation of a more unified European political, economic and security apparatus. The governments of Germany and the United States are close political allies. Cultural ties and economic interests have crafted a bond between the two countries resulting in Atlanticism.

After 1990, Germany and Russia worked together to establish a "strategic partnership" in which energy development became one of the most important factors. As a result of the cooperation, Germany imported most of its natural gas and crude oil from Russia.

Germany's development policy functions as a distinct sector within its foreign policy framework. It is formulated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and carried out by the implementing organisations. The German government sees development policy as a joint responsibility of the international community. It was the world's second-biggest aid donor in 2019 after the United States.

Military

Main article: Bundeswehr
A German TPz Fuchs armoured personnel carrier

Germany's military, the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence), is organised into the Heer (Army and special forces KSK), Marine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Cyber- und Informationsraum (Cyber and Information Domain Service) branches. In absolute terms, German military spending in 2023 was the seventh-highest in the world. In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that German military expenditure would be increased past the NATO target of 2%, along with a one-time 2022 infusion of 100 billion euros, representing almost double the 53 billion euro military budget for 2021. In 2023, military spending according to NATO criteria amounted to $73.1 billion, or 1.64% of the country's GDP, well below the NATO target of 2%. In 2024, Germany reported $97.7 billion to NATO, exceeding the NATO target of 2% at 2.12% of GDP.

As of May 2024, the Bundeswehr has a strength of 180,215 active soldiers and 80,761 civilians. Reservists are available to the armed forces and participate in defence exercises and deployments abroad. Until 2011, military service was compulsory for men at age 18, but this has been officially suspended and replaced with a voluntary service. Since 2001 women may serve in all functions of service without restriction. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Germany was the fifth-largest exporter of major arms in the world from 2019 to 2023.

In peacetime, the Bundeswehr is commanded by the Minister of Defence. In state of defence, the Chancellor would become commander-in-chief of the Bundeswehr. The role of the Bundeswehr is described in the Constitution of Germany as defensive only. But after a ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court in 1994, the term "defence" has been defined not only to include protection of the borders of Germany, but also crisis reaction and conflict prevention, or more broadly as guarding the security of Germany anywhere in the world. As of 2017, the German military has about 3,600 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of international peacekeeping forces, including about 1,200 supporting operations against Daesh, 980 in the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, and 800 in Kosovo.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Germany, Science and technology in Germany, and List of German inventions and discoveries
Frankfurt, a leading business and financial centre in Europe and the seat of the European Central Bank

Germany has a social market economy with a highly skilled labour force, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. It is the world's third-largest exporter and third-largest importer, and has the largest economy in Europe by nominal GDP, which is also the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP and sixth-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP. Its GDP per capita measured in purchasing power standards amounts to 121% of the EU27 average. The country's service sector contributes approximately 69% of the total GDP, industry 31%—with Germany having the largest manufacturing sector in Europe—and agriculture 1% as of 2017. The unemployment rate published by Eurostat amounts to 3.2% as of January 2020, which is the fourth-lowest in the EU.

Germany is part of the European single market which represents more than 450 million consumers. In 2017, the country accounted for 28% of the eurozone economy according to the International Monetary Fund. Germany introduced the common European currency, the euro, in 2002. Its monetary policy is set by the European Central Bank, which is headquartered in Frankfurt.

The automotive industry in Germany is regarded as one of the most competitive and innovative in the world, and is the sixth-largest by production as of 2021. Germany is home to Volkswagen Group, the world's second-largest automotive manufacturer by vehicle production.

Then-chancellor Angela Merkel at the 2013 Electromobility Summit in Berlin. All new cars sold in Germany must be zero-emission vehicles from 2035.

The top ten exports of Germany are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipments, pharmaceuticals, transport equipments, basic metals, food products, and rubber and plastics.

Of the world's 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue in 2023, the Fortune Global 500, 32 are headquartered in Germany. 30 major Germany-based companies are included in the DAX, the German stock market index which is operated by Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Well-known international brands include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Opel, Siemens, Allianz, Adidas, Puma, Hugo Boss, SAP SE, Bosch and Deutsche Telekom. Berlin is a hub for startup companies and has become the leading location for venture capital-funded firms in the European Union. Germany is recognised for its large portion of specialised small and medium enterprises, known as the Mittelstand model. These companies represent 48% of the global market leaders in their segments, labelled hidden champions.

Research and development efforts form an integral part of the German economy, with the country ranking fourth in research and development expenditure since 2005. In 2018, Germany ranked fourth globally in terms of number of science and engineering research papers published and third in the quality-adjusted Nature Index in 2023. Research institutions in Germany include the Max Planck Society, the Helmholtz Association, and the Fraunhofer Society and the Leibniz Association. Germany is the largest contributor to the European Space Agency. Germany was ranked 9th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.

Infrastructure

Main articles: Transport in Germany, Energy in Germany, Telecommunications in Germany, and Water supply and sanitation in Germany
An ICE 3 train on the Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line, with operating speed up to 300 km/h (190 mph)

With its central position in Europe, Germany is a transport hub for the continent. Its road network is among the densest in Europe. The motorway (Autobahn) is widely known for having no general federally mandated speed limit for some classes of vehicles. The Intercity Express or ICE train network serves major German cities as well as destinations in neighbouring countries with speeds up to 300 km/h (190 mph). The largest German airports are Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The Port of Hamburg is the third-busiest port in Europe and one of the twenty largest container ports in the world.

Windmills behind Lisberg Castle

In 2019, Germany was the world's seventh-largest consumer of energy. All nuclear power plants were phased out in 2023. Germany meets its power demands using 40% renewable sources, and has been called an "early leader" in solar panels and offshore wind. The country is committed to the Paris Agreement and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, and water management. Germany's household recycling rate is among the highest in the world—at around 65%. The country's greenhouse gas emissions per capita were the ninth-highest in the EU in 2018, but these numbers have been trending downward. The German energy transition (Energiewende) is the recognised move to a sustainable economy by means of energy efficiency and renewable energy, with the country being called "the world's first major renewable energy economy". Germany has reduced its primary energy consumption by 11% between 1990 and 2015 and set itself goals of reducing it by 30% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

Domestic and international travel and tourism combined directly contribute over €105.3 billion to German GDP. Including indirect and induced impacts, the industry supports 4.2 million jobs. As of 2022, Germany is the eighth-most-visited country. Its most popular landmarks include Cologne Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Dresden Frauenkirche, Neuschwanstein Castle, Heidelberg Castle, the Wartburg, and Sanssouci Palace. The Europa-Park near Freiburg is Europe's second-most popular theme park resort.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Germany and Germans

With a population of 84.7 million according to the 2023 German census, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, the second-most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the nineteenth-most populous country in the world. Its population density stands at 227 inhabitants per square kilometre (590 inhabitants/sq mi). The fertility rate of 1.57 children born per woman (2022 estimates) is below the replacement rate of 2.1 and is one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Since the 1970s, Germany's death rate has exceeded its birth rate. However, Germany is witnessing increased birth rates and migration rates since the beginning of the 2010s. Germany has the third oldest population in the world, with an average age of 47.4 years.

A bilingual street sign in both German and Lower Sorbian in Cottbus (Chóśebuz) in Brandenburg

Four sizeable groups of people are referred to as national minorities because their ancestors have lived in their respective regions for centuries: There is a Danish minority in the northernmost state of Schleswig-Holstein; the Sorbs, a Slavic population, are in the Lusatia region of Saxony and Brandenburg; the Roma and Sinti live throughout the country; and the Frisians are concentrated in Schleswig-Holstein's western coast and in the north-western part of Lower Saxony.

After the United States, Germany is the second-most popular immigration destination in the world. In 2015, following the 2015 refugee crisis, the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs listed Germany as host to the second-highest number of international migrants worldwide, about 5% or 12 million of all 244 million migrants. Refugee crises have resulted in substantial population increases; for example, the major influx of Ukrainian immigrants following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, meaning over 1.06 million refugees from Ukraine were recorded in Germany as of April 2023. As of 2019, Germany ranks seventh among EU countries in terms of the percentage of migrants in the country's population, at 13.1%. In 2022, there were 23.8 million people, 28.7 percent of the total population, who had a migration background.

Germany has a number of large cities. There are 11 officially recognised metropolitan regions. The country's largest city is Berlin, while its largest urban area is the Ruhr.

  Largest cities or towns in Germany
Federal Statistical Office of Germany - Destatis (Census 2022)
Rank Name State Pop. Rank Name State Pop.
Berlin
Berlin
Hamburg
Hamburg
1 Berlin Berlin 3,596,999 11 Essen North Rhine-Westphalia 571,039 Munich
Munich
Cologne
Cologne
2 Hamburg Hamburg 1,808,846 12 Dresden Saxony 557,782
3 Munich Bavaria 1,478,638 13 Nuremberg Bavaria 522,554
4 Cologne North Rhine-Westphalia 1,017,355 14 Hanover Lower Saxony 513,291
5 Frankfurt Hesse 743,268 15 Duisburg North Rhine-Westphalia 501,415
6 Düsseldorf North Rhine-Westphalia 611,258 16 Wuppertal North Rhine-Westphalia 356,768
7 Stuttgart Baden-Württemberg 610,458 17 Bochum North Rhine-Westphalia 354,288
8 Leipzig Saxony 598,899 18 Bielefeld North Rhine-Westphalia 330,072
9 Dortmund North Rhine-Westphalia 598,246 19 Bonn North Rhine-Westphalia 321,544
10 Bremen Bremen 575,071 20 Mannheim Baden-Württemberg 313,693

Religion

Main article: Religion in GermanyFurther information: Catholic Church in Germany, Evangelical Church in Germany, and History of the Jews in Germany
Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

According to the 2022 census, Christianity is the largest religion at 49.7% of the population; 23.1% identified as Protestant and 25.1% as Catholic.

Islam is the second-largest religion in the country. In the 2011 census, 1.9% of respondents (1.52 million people) gave their religion as Islam, but this figure is deemed unreliable because a disproportionate number of adherents of this faith (and other religions, such as Judaism) are likely to have made use of their right not to answer the question. In 2019, there were an estimated 5.3–5.6 million Muslims with a migrant background (6.4–6.7% of the population), in addition to an unknown number of Muslims without a migrant background. Most of the Muslims are Sunnis and Alevis from Turkey, but there are a small number of Shi'ites, Ahmadiyyas and other denominations. Other religions each comprise less than one percent of Germany's population.

In 2011, formal members of the Jewish community represented no more than 0.2% of the total German population, and 60% of them resided in Berlin. An estimated 80 to 90 percent of these Jews in Germany are Russian-speaking immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who came to Germany from the 1980s onwards.

A study in 2023 estimated that 46.2% of the population are not members of any religious organization or denomination. Irreligion in Germany is strongest in the former East Germany, which used to be predominantly Protestant before the enforcement of state atheism, and in major metropolitan areas.

Languages

Main articles: German language and Languages of Germany

German is the official and predominantly spoken language in Germany. It is one of 24 official and working languages of the European Union, and one of the three procedural languages of the European Commission, alongside English and French. German is the most widely spoken first language in the European Union, with around 100 million native speakers.

Recognised native minority languages in Germany are Danish, Low German, Low Rhenish, Sorbian, Romani, North Frisian and Saterland Frisian; they are officially protected by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The most used immigrant languages are Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish, Polish, Italian, Greek, Spanish, Serbo-Croatian, Bulgarian and other Balkan languages, as well as Russian. Germans are typically multilingual: 67% of German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language and 27% in at least two.

Education

Main article: Education in Germany
Heidelberg University, Germany's oldest institution of higher learning and generally considered one of its most renowned

Responsibility for educational supervision in Germany is primarily organised within the individual states. Optional kindergarten education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which school attendance is compulsory for at least nine years depending on the state. Primary education usually lasts for four to six years. Secondary schooling is divided into tracks based on whether students pursue academic or vocational education. A system of apprenticeship called Duale Ausbildung leads to a skilled qualification which is almost comparable to an academic degree. It allows students in vocational training to learn in a company as well as in a state-run trade school. This model is well regarded and reproduced all around the world.

Most of the German universities are public institutions, and students traditionally study without fee payment. The general requirement for attending university is the Abitur. According to an OECD report in 2014, Germany is the world's third leading destination for international study. The established universities in Germany include some of the oldest in the world, with Heidelberg University (established in 1386), Leipzig University (established in 1409) and the University of Rostock (established in 1419) being the oldest. The Humboldt University of Berlin, founded in 1810 by the liberal educational reformer Wilhelm von Humboldt, became the academic model for many Western universities. In the contemporary era Germany has developed eleven Universities of Excellence.

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Germany
The Hospital of the Holy Spirit in Lübeck, established in 1286, is a precursor to modern hospitals.

Germany's system of hospitals, called Krankenhäuser, dates from medieval times, and today, Germany has the world's oldest universal health care system, dating from Bismarck's social legislation of the 1880s. Since the 1880s, reforms and provisions have ensured a balanced health care system. The population is covered by a health insurance plan provided by statute, with criteria allowing some groups to opt for a private health insurance contract. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Germany's health care system was 77% government-funded and 23% privately funded as of 2013. In 2014, Germany spent 11.3% of its GDP on health care.

Germany ranked 21st in the world in 2019 in life expectancy with 78.7 years for men and 84.8 years for women according to the WHO, and it had a very low infant mortality rate (4 per 1,000 live births). In 2019, the principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 37%. Obesity in Germany has been increasingly cited as a major health issue. A 2014 study showed that 52 percent of the adult German population was overweight or obese.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Germany
A German Christmas market in Dresden

Culture in German states has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular, and its scientists, writers and philosophers have played a significant role in the development of Western thought. Global opinion polls from the BBC revealed that Germany is recognised for having the most positive influence in the world in 2013 and 2014.

Germany is well known for such folk festivals as the Oktoberfest and Christmas customs, which include Advent wreaths, Christmas pageants, Christmas trees, Stollen cakes, and other practices. As of 2024, UNESCO inscribed 54 properties in Germany on the World Heritage List. There are a number of public holidays in Germany determined by each state; 3 October has been a national day of Germany since 1990, celebrated as the Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day).

Music

Main article: Music of Germany See also: Opera in German
Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most famed composers of classical music, was born in Bonn in 1770.

German classical music includes works by some of the world's most well-known composers. Dieterich Buxtehude, Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Friedrich Händel were influential composers of the Baroque period. Ludwig van Beethoven was a crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras. Carl Maria von Weber, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms were significant Romantic composers. Richard Wagner was known for his operas. Richard Strauss was a leading composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. Karlheinz Stockhausen and Wolfgang Rihm are important composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries.

In 2013, Germany was the second-largest music market in Europe, and fourth-largest in the world. German popular music of the 20th and 21st centuries includes the movements of Neue Deutsche Welle, pop, Ostrock, heavy metal/rock, punk, pop rock, indie, Volksmusik (folk music), schlager pop and German hip hop. German electronic music gained global influence, with Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream pioneering in this genre. DJs and artists of the techno and house music scenes of Germany have become well known (e.g. Paul van Dyk, Felix Jaehn, Paul Kalkbrenner, Robin Schulz and Scooter).

Art, design and architecture

Main articles: German art, Architecture of Germany, and German fashion C.D. Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (1818)Franz Marc, Roe Deer in the Forest (1914)

German painters have influenced Western art. Albrecht Dürer, Hans Holbein the Younger, Matthias Grünewald and Lucas Cranach the Elder were important German artists of the Renaissance, Johann Baptist Zimmermann of the Baroque, Caspar David Friedrich and Carl Spitzweg of Romanticism, Max Liebermann of Impressionism and Max Ernst of Surrealism. Several German art groups formed in the 20th century; Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) influenced the development of expressionism in Munich and Berlin. The New Objectivity arose in response to expressionism during the Weimar Republic. After World War II, broad trends in German art include neo-expressionism and the New Leipzig School.

German designers became early leaders of modern product design. The Berlin Fashion Week and the fashion trade fair Bread & Butter are held twice a year.

Architectural contributions from Germany include the Carolingian and Ottonian styles, which were precursors of Romanesque. Brick Gothic is a distinctive medieval style that evolved in Germany. Also in Renaissance and Baroque art, regional and typically German elements evolved (e.g. Weser Renaissance). Vernacular architecture in Germany is often identified by its timber framing (Fachwerk) traditions and varies across regions, and among carpentry styles. When industrialisation spread across Europe, classicism and a distinctive style of historicism developed in Germany, sometimes referred to as Gründerzeit style. Expressionist architecture developed in the 1910s in Germany and influenced Art Deco and other modern styles. Germany was particularly important in the early modernist movement: it is the home of Werkbund initiated by Hermann Muthesius (New Objectivity), and of the Bauhaus movement founded by Walter Gropius. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe became one of the world's most renowned architects in the second half of the 20th century; he conceived of the glass façade skyscraper. Renowned contemporary architects and offices include Pritzker Prize winners Gottfried Böhm and Frei Otto.

Literature and philosophy

Main articles: German literature and German philosophy
Brothers Grimm, who collected popular German folk tales and published them in a collection

German literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the works of writers such as Walther von der Vogelweide and Wolfram von Eschenbach. Well-known German authors include Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and Theodor Fontane. The collections of folk tales published by the Brothers Grimm popularised German folklore on an international level. The Grimms also gathered and codified regional variants of the German language, grounding their work in historical principles; their Deutsches Wörterbuch, or German Dictionary, sometimes called the Grimm dictionary, was begun in 1838 and the first volumes published in 1854.

Influential authors of the 20th century include Gerhart Hauptmann, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich Böll, and Günter Grass. The German book market is the third-largest in the world, after the United States and China. The Frankfurt Book Fair is the most important in the world for international deals and trading, with a tradition spanning over 500 years. The Leipzig Book Fair also retains a major position in Europe.

German philosophy is historically significant: Gottfried Leibniz's contributions to rationalism; the enlightenment philosophy by Immanuel Kant; the establishment of classical German idealism by Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling; Arthur Schopenhauer's composition of metaphysical pessimism; the formulation of communist theory by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels; Friedrich Nietzsche's development of perspectivism; Gottlob Frege's contributions to the dawn of analytic philosophy; Martin Heidegger's works on Being; Oswald Spengler's historical philosophy; and the development of the Frankfurt School have all been very influential.

Media

Main articles: Media of Germany and Cinema of Germany
Babelsberg Studio in Potsdam

The largest internationally operating media companies in Germany are Bertelsmann, Axel Springer SE and ProSiebenSat.1 Media. Germany's television market is the largest in Europe, with over 38 million TV households as of 2012. Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV, with a variety of free-to-view public and commercial channels. There are more than 300 public and private radio stations in Germany; Germany's national radio network is the Deutschlandradio and the public Deutsche Welle is the main German radio and television broadcaster in foreign languages. Germany's print market of newspapers and magazines is the largest in Europe. The papers with the highest circulation are Bild, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Die Welt. The largest magazines include ADAC Motorwelt and Der Spiegel. Germany has a large video gaming market, with over 34 million players nationwide. The Gamescom is the world's largest gaming convention.

German cinema has made major technical and artistic contributions to film. The first works of the Skladanowsky Brothers were shown to an audience in 1895. The renowned Babelsberg Studio in Potsdam was established in 1912, thus being the first large-scale film studio in the world. Early German cinema was particularly influential with German expressionists such as Robert Wiene and Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau. Director Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) is referred to as the first major science-fiction film. After 1945, many of the films of the immediate post-war period can be characterised as Trümmerfilm (rubble film). East German film was dominated by the state-owned film studio DEFA, while the dominant genre in West Germany was the Heimatfilm ("homeland film"). During the 1970s and 1980s, New German Cinema directors such as Volker Schlöndorff, Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, and Rainer Werner Fassbinder brought West German auteur cinema to critical acclaim.

The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film ("Oscar") went to the German production The Tin Drum (Die Blechtrommel) in 1979, to Nowhere in Africa (Nirgendwo in Afrika) in 2002, and to The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) in 2007. Various Germans won an Oscar for their performances in other films. The annual European Film Awards ceremony is held every other year in Berlin, home of the European Film Academy. The Berlin International Film Festival, known as "Berlinale", awarding the "Golden Bear" and held annually since 1951, is one of the world's leading film festivals. The "Lolas" are annually awarded in Berlin, at the German Film Awards.

Cuisine

Main article: German cuisine
Bavarian Bratwurst with mustard, a pretzel, and German beer

German cuisine varies from region to region and often neighbouring regions share some culinary similarities, including with the southern regions of Bavaria and Swabia, Switzerland, and Austria. International varieties such as pizza, sushi, Chinese food, Greek food, Indian cuisine, and doner kebab are also popular.

Bread is a significant part of German cuisine and German bakeries produce about 600 main types of bread and 1,200 types of pastries and rolls (Brötchen). German cheeses account for about 22% of all cheese produced in Europe. In 2012 over 99% of all meat produced in Germany was either pork, chicken or beef. Germans produce their ubiquitous sausages in almost 1,500 varieties, including Bratwursts and Weisswursts.

The national alcoholic drink is beer. German beer consumption per person stands at 110 litres (24 imp gal; 29 US gal) in 2013 and remains among the highest in the world. German beer purity regulations date back to the 16th century. Wine has become popular in many parts of the country, especially close to German wine regions. In 2019, Germany was the ninth-largest wine producer in the world.

The 2018 Michelin Guide awarded eleven restaurants in Germany three stars, giving the country a cumulative total of 300 stars.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Germany
The German national football team after winning the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in 2014

Football is the most popular sport in Germany. With more than 7 million official members, the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund) is the largest single-sport organisation worldwide, and the German top league, the Bundesliga, attracts the second-highest average attendance of all professional sports leagues in the world. The German men's national football team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014, the UEFA European Championship in 1972, 1980 and 1996, and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.

Germany is one of the leading motor sports countries in the world. Constructors like BMW and Mercedes are prominent manufacturers in motor sport. Porsche has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race 19 times, and Audi 13 times (as of April 2024). The driver Michael Schumacher has set many motor sport records during his career, having won seven Formula One World Drivers' Championships. Sebastian Vettel is also among the most successful Formula One drivers of all time.

German athletes historically have been successful contenders in the Olympic Games, ranking third in an all-time Olympic Games medal count when combining East and West German medals prior to German reunification. In 1936 Berlin hosted the Summer Games and the Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Munich hosted the Summer Games of 1972.

See also

Notes

  1. From 1952 to 1990, the entire "Das Lied der Deutschen" was the national anthem, but only the third verse was sung on official occasions. Since 1991, the third verse alone has been the national anthem.
  2. Berlin is the sole constitutional capital and de jure seat of government, but the former provisional capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bonn, has the special title of "federal city" (Bundesstadt) and is the primary seat of six ministries.
  3. Danish, Low German, Sorbian, Romani, and Frisian are recognised by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
  4. The Bundesrat is sometimes referred to as an upper chamber of the German legislature. This is technically incorrect, since the German Constitution defines the Bundestag and Bundesrat as two separate legislative institutions. Hence, the federal legislature of Germany consists of two unicameral legislative institutions, not one bicameral parliament.
  5. Deutschland (German), German: [ˈdɔʏtʃlant]
  6. Bundesrepublik Deutschland (German), German: [ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant]
  7. Excluding Turkey, which only has 3% of its total territory in Europe along with some 10% of its population
  8. A migrant background was defined as having been born or having at least one parent born in a country from a prespecified list of countries with a significant Muslim population, or as having citizenship or having at least one parent with citizenship of one of these countries.

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