GERMANY

Federal Republic of GermanyDeutschland

GEOGRAPHYGermany is located in

central Europe. It is between the Netherlands and Poland, and is located south of Denmark.

Germany is approximately the size of the US state of Montana.

WEATHER Germany experiences all 4 seasons, but weather varies

according to region. In the North, summers tend to be quite cold and the

winters mild, with high rainfall. In the eastern part, they experience harsher winters, and

hotter summers. Germany’s highest rainfall, and lowest temperatures are

recorded in the Alps.

CURRENCYIn 1999, Germany’s

currency switched to the Euro.

Prior to this, German currency was the Deutsche Mark.

GERMAN STATES Germany is made up of 16

states. In medieval times, there

were 300 countries in what is now Germany. Each had its own currency and King.

By 1850, the number had dropped to 35 countries.

Germany today is a federation of states, each with its own cultural identity and customs.

HISTORY Germany’s existence dates back to 9 AD For 74 years, between 1871 and 1945 Germany was a unified

country. In 1934 President Hinesburg dies. Hitler takes over the President's

powers. In 1939 World War II begins when Germany invades Poland. In 1941, mass murder of Jewish people began. In 1945 Russia invades Germany from the East. Britain and the

USA invade from the west. Hitler commits suicide and Germany surrenders. World War II ends.

Following the surrender, Germany was divided.

HISTORY After World War II Germany was divided in two, the western Federal

Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The capital of Berlin, was also divided. This was referred to as the “Iron Curtain”.

The Allies, America, Britain and France controlled West Germany. The Russians controlled East Germany.

In 1953 there was a wave of strikes in East Germany. The Russians responded by sending in tanks and killing many civilians. Not surprisingly many people in East Germany fled to West Germany for a better life. In 1961, alarmed at the number of skilled workers leaving East Germany, the government built the Berlin Wall. Afterwards anyone who tried to leave was shot.

People tried digging tunnels, flying homemade airplanes, and just simply running, to get from East to West Germany.

In 1989 The Berlin Wall falls. In 1990 Germany became a united country again. The capital of Germany

is Berlin.

FLAG Black, red and gold became

Germany’s national colors in the nineteenth century.

When the Nazis came to power in 1933 the black-red-gold flag was replaced with the black-white-red. And in 1935 they replaced all German governmental flags with designs based on the swastika flag that had been their Nazi party flag ( a red flag with a white disk in the centre containing a black swastika).

In 1949, West Germany adopted black, red, and gold flag. East Germany adopted the same flag, but with a communist emblem.

After Germany became one again in 1990 this became the flag of the whole country.

There are different theories as to the colors meaning. Some believe it dates back to the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire.

1949 - today

1933 - 1935

1919 - 1933

Flag of East Germany

CAPITALBerlin is the capital of Germany. When Germany was dividedinto two countries, Berlin was divided too. After Germanybecame one country again in 1990, Berlin became its capital.

OTHER MAJOR CITIESHamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Essen.

POPULATIONGermany has the largest population in Europe with over 82million people.

RELIGIONApproximately 68% of Germans are Catholic or

Protestant.About 3.7% are Muslim.Other religions practiced in Germany include

Orthodox Christian, Hindu, Buddhism and Judaism.

About 28% of Germans do not practice any religion.

LANGUAGEGerman is the official language of Germany. Many Germans speak regional dialects which can

be virtually incomprehensible to others from neighboring regions.

There are 2 groups within the modern German language corresponding to the geographic location: the low German, spoken in the northern part of Germany and high German spoken in the lower half of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

HOLIDAYS January 1: New Years Day April: Easter May 1: May Day – Also known as their Labor Day Late Sept-Oct: Oktoberfest- 16 day beer festival. Came about in

1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese.

October 3: German Unity Day – to celebrate the re-unification of Germany

November 11: St. Martin’s Day – Harvest celebration to mark the coming of winter.

December 6: St. Nicholas Day – Kids get presents from St. Nicholas NOT Santa.

December 24 & 25: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

PLACES TO VISITCastle Neuschwanstein

The Cologne Cathedral

Hohenzollern Castle

Romantic Road

Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes

EDUCATION In Germany school from the

age of 6 through 14, is mandatory. Public state-run school's are free.

All children enter in the same program, but at the age of 10, they go to one of four types of schools. The track that they enter determines which type of school they can enter next, and finally, whether they will go to a university or enter a technical field or trade.

Advanced vocational training UniversityTechnical or Trade school

13Vocational qualification University

qualification exam (Abitur)13th grade and Abitur prep

12

11

Training and education at companies and part time vocational schools (Berufschule)

Full-time vocational school (Berufsfacherschule)

Vocational uppper secondary school (Fachober-schule)

Continuation with Gymnasium or Gesamtschule

10 9 8 7 6 5

Secondary general school (Hauptschule)

Intermediate school (Realschule)

Grammer school (Gymnasium)

Comprehensive school (Gesampt schule)

4 3 2 1

Primary School (Grundschule)

Kindergarten

CULTURE Many great musicians , poets, philosophers and scientists were

born in Germany. The cultural life of Germany is varied with many cultural centers,

museums and art galleries throughout the country. Every year the International Film Festival takes place in Berlin

during the month of February. Music and literature have an important place in the culture of

Germany. In West Germany there are 1200 museums, 400 main libraries,

300 theater houses, 150 notable orchestras, and 60 opera houses.

INTERESTING FACTSThere is no speed limit on the German highway

known as the Autobahn. Germans answer the phone with their surname

instead of “Hello.”There is a German artist who turns dried cow

manure into wall clocks and small sculptures! In World War II, a German sub was sunk by a

broken toilet.Germany is known for the cuckoo clock.

ReferencesEgert-Romanowska, Joanna, and Malgorzata Omilanowska. Germany. New York: Dorling Kindersley Publlishing, 2001.

Steves, Rick. Rick Steves’ Germany. Berkeley, CA: Avalon Travel, 2010.

http://www.localhistories.org/germany.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/26576/schoolpage.htm