That’s Germany

Facts

Name: Federal Republic of Germany

Capital: Berlin (3.4 million inhabitants)

Population: 82.5 million inhabitants

National Language: German

National Day: 3 October, Day of German Unity (reunification in 1990)

System of Government: Democratic and social federal system

Administrative structure: Federation comprising 16 federal states (Länder)

Neighbouring Countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic

Area: 357.050 sqkm

History

Germany’s path to a liberal constitutional democracy and a functioning parliamentary system involved many historical ruptures.

One critical rupture is the failure of the Weimar Republic (1919–1933) and the rise of National Socialism (1933-1945) and its ideology (main features: racism, anti-Semitism, social Darwinism, totalitarianism and the rejection of democracy, the “alignment of the people” – principle of a “Führer”, militarism, imperialism disguised as “Lebensraum” policy as well as the propaganda events to whip up grass roots support).

After the Second World War, Germany was divided until its reunification in 1990.

The German Language

German is a Germanic language which belongs to the Indo-Germanic languages. Many different dialects are spoken in Germany. These regional dialects and traditions are a legacy from the time when the area now known as Germany was populated by various tribes (e.g. the Franks, Saxons, Swabians, Bavarians). Many Germans also speak English.

Religions in Germany

Just under two thirds of Germans consider themselves Christians, and around a third state that they have no religion or are members of a non-Christian faith community (e.g. Muslim or Jewish).

- Protestants (33% of the population)- Catholics (33% of the population)- Muslims (3% of the population)- 108,000 members of Jewish communities, and others

Germany as the land of poets, musicians and philosophers

- Friedrich Schiller - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe- “Brüder” (Brothers) Grimm- Thomas Mann- Hermann Hesse- Günter Grass

- Johann Sebastian Bach- Ludwig van Beethoven- Georg Friedrich Händel- Johannes Brahms- Richard Strauss- Max Reger

- Immanuel Kant- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel- Karl Marx- Friedrich Nietzsche- Martin Heidegger - Theodor Adorno- Max Horkheimer

Cultural highlights of Germany

1. Oktoberfest – Munich Beer FestivalGermany's biggest and best-known festival.

2. Carnival – “Karneval”, “Fasching”, “Fastnacht”An ancient tradition which is celebrated particularly in the Rhineland and in the strongly catholic regions of Germany like Düsseldorf, Cologne and Mainz. The carnival season ("fifth season“) begins on 11 November and ends on Ash Wednesday. People dress up in humorous costumes or in traditional dress and masks, and join in processions and street festivals. The tradition stems back to the ancient custom of driving out winter.

3. Fairs and (wine) festivalsFairs are held on traditional festival grounds or in the city centres for a weekend or a whole week. Entertainment includes a range of fairground stalls, carousels, rollercoasters, ferris wheels and ghost trains.Wine festivals in wine-growing regions between May and November along the Rhine and the Moselle, in Baden, Palatinate and along the river Main. The festivals usually involve live music and the crowning of the Wine Queen.

German food

Traditionally, Germans eat for breakfast bread with jam, honey, cheese, etc. or cereals. They drink coffee or tea.

Choice of “typical German food”:- Kasseler mit Sauerkraut (smoked pork chop with sauerkraut)- Eisbein (knuckle of pork)- Grünkohl (green cabbage)- Eintöpfe (stews)- Sausages- Potatoes in all variations and forms of preparations (especially in the North of Germany)- in the South: e.g. Spätzle (kind of egg noodles traditionally), Maultaschen (filled pasta squares)

However, Germany has adopted many international dishes into its cuisine and daily eating habits like Pizza and pasta, Döner kebab and Falafel.

Undoubtedly, beer is the most popular drink in Germany although wine consumption is steadily rising.

German Stereotypes

- to be on time (punctuality) - self-critical - perfectionist

- serious

- hard-working

- honest

- reasonable

- conscious of one's duties

- economical

- reliable

1. Population and societyIn Germany, about 15 Million inhabitants have an immigration background; nearly every third child that is younger than five years old has a migration background. The colourful population goes back to the so-called "Gastarbeiter" (blue collar guest-workers) from Turkey, Greece, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, etc. who came to Germany in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. After 1990, a lot of people of German origin who lived in the former USSR moved to Germany.

2. Eastern GermanyThe former communist East German state continues to depend on billions in federal aid and is still economically depressed with high unemployment rates. Achieving identical living conditions in the East and the West is becoming increasingly difficult.

Interesting about Germany