Germany(i/drmni/;German:Deutschland), officially theFederal Republic of Germany(German:Bundesrepublik Deutschland,pronounced[bndsepublik dtlant](listen)),[16]is afederalparliamentary republicinwestern-central Europe. The country consists of16 statesand its capital andlargest cityisBerlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 square kilometres (137,847sqmi) and has a largely temperate seasonal climate. With 80.6million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state in theEuropean Union. Germany is the major economic and political power of the European continent and a historic leader in many cultural, theoretical and technical fields.VariousGermanic tribeshave occupied what is now northern Germany and southern Scandinavia sinceclassical antiquity. A region namedGermaniawasdocumentedby theRomansbefore AD100. During theMigration Periodthat coincided with thedecline of the Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes expanded southward and established kingdoms throughout much of Europe. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of theHoly Roman Empire.[17]During the 16th century, northern German regions became the centre of theProtestant Reformation. Occupied during theNapoleonic Wars, the rise ofPan-Germanisminside theGerman Confederationresulted in theunification of most of the German statesin 1871 into theGerman Empire, which was dominated byPrussia.After theGerman Revolution of 19181919and the subsequent military surrender inWorld War I, the Empire was replaced by the parliamentaryWeimar Republicin 1918, with some of its territory partitioned in theTreaty of Versailles. Despite its lead in many scientific and cultural fields at this time, Germany nonetheless endured significant economic and political instability, which intensified during theGreat Depressionand contributed tothe establishmentof theThird Reichin 1933. The subsequent rise offascismled toWorld War II. After 1945, Germany was divided byallied occupation, and evolved into two states,East GermanyandWest Germany. In 1990, the country wasreunified.Germany has the world'sfourth-largest economy by nominal GDPand thefifth-largest by purchasing power parity. As a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is thesecond-largest exporterandthird-largest importerof goods. It is adeveloped countrywith avery high standard of living, featuring comprehensivesocial securitythat includes the world's oldestuniversal health caresystem. Known for its richculturalandpoliticalhistory, Germany has been the home of many influentialphilosophers,music composers,scientists, and inventors. Germany was a founding member of theEuropean Communityin 1957, which became theEUin 1993. It is part of theSchengen Area, and has been a member of theeurozonesince 1999. Germany is agreat power, and a member of theUnited Nations,NATO, theG8, theG20, theOECDand theCouncil of Europe.Contents[hide] 1Etymology 2History 2.1Germanic tribes and Frankish Empire 2.2Holy Roman Empire 2.3German Confederation and Empire 2.4Weimar Republic and the Third Reich 2.5East and West Germany 2.6German reunification and the EU 3Geography 3.1Climate 3.2Biodiversity 4Politics 4.1Law 4.2Constituent states 4.3Foreign relations 4.4Military 5Economy 5.1Infrastructure 5.2Science and technology 6Demographics 6.1Religion 6.2Languages 6.3Education 6.4Health 7Culture 7.1Art 7.2Music 7.3Architecture 7.4Literature and philosophy 7.5Media 7.6Cuisine 7.7Sports 8See also 9References 10External linksEtymology[edit]Main article:Names of GermanyThe English wordGermanyderives from the LatinGermania, which came into use afterJulius Caesaradopted it for the peoples east of theRhine.[18]More specifically, it was the Gauls who first called the people who crossed east of the RhineGermani(which the Romans adopted) as the original Germanic tribes did not refer to themselves asGermanusorGermani. Thus it was only when on Roman soil that this term was employed and the expression generally connoted those peoples who originally hailed east of the Rhine and/or north of the Danube.[19]TheGermantermDeutschland(originallydiutisciu land, "the German lands") is derived fromdeutsch, descended fromOld High Germandiutisc"popular" (i.e. belonging to thediotordiota"people"), originally used to distinguish thelanguage of the common peoplefromLatinand itsRomance descendants. This in turn descends fromProto-Germanic*iudiskaz"popular" (see also the Latinised formTheodiscus), derived from*eud, descended fromProto-Indo-European*tewth-"people".[20]History[edit]Main article:History of GermanyGermanic tribes and Frankish Empire[edit]Main articles:GermaniaandMigration Period

Second- to fifth-century migrations in EuropeTheGermanic tribesarethought to date fromtheNordic Bronze Ageor thePre-Roman Iron Age. From southern Scandinavia and north Germany, they expanded south, east and west from the 1st centuryBC, coming into contact with theCeltictribes ofGaulas well asIranian,Baltic, andSlavictribes inCentralandEastern Europe.[21]UnderAugustus, Rome began to invade Germania (an area extending roughly from theRhineto theUral Mountains). In AD9, threeRoman legionsled byPublius Quinctilius Varusweredefeatedby theCheruscanleaderArminius. By AD100, whenTacituswroteGermania, Germanic tribes had settled along the Rhine and the Danube (Limes Germanicus), occupying most of the area of modern Germany; Austria, southernBavariaand the westernRhineland, however, were Roman provinces.[22]In the 3rd century a number of large West Germanic tribes emerged:Alemanni,Franks,Chatti,Saxons,Frisii,Sicambri, andThuringii. Around 260, the Germanic peoples broke into Roman-controlled lands.[23]After an invasion by theHunsin 375, and with the decline of Rome from 395, Germanic tribes moved further south-west. Simultaneously several large tribes formed in what is now Germany and displaced the smaller Germanic tribes. Large areas (known since theMerovingianperiod asAustrasia) wereoccupied by the Franks, and Northern Germany was ruled by the Saxons and Slavs.[22]Holy Roman Empire[edit]

TheImperial Crownof thekingsof theHoly Roman Empire

Map of theHoly Roman Empireof German Nationin 1600 (in today's state borders)Main article:Holy Roman EmpireOn 25 December 800, the Frankish kingCharlemagnewas crowned emperor and founded theCarolingian Empire, which wasdivided in 843.[24]Frankish rule was extended under Charlemagne's sons and then later by his grandson 'Louis the German' who was referred to asGermanicus, but the Carolingian Empire he ruled was the oldGermania(to the right of the Rhine) and this geographical portion of the east Frankish kingdom additionally subsumed an assemblage of Alamanni, Bavarians, Main Franks, Saxons, Thuringians, Slavic tribes from the Baltic and Adriatic, and even some Pannonian Avars.[25]As such, the Holy Roman Empire comprised theeastern portionof Charlemagne's original kingdom and emerged as the strongest, some of this consequent to the aforementioned reign of 'Louis the German' and its extended cohesion was achieved through the unification efforts ofConrad of Franconia(911-918).[26]Its territory stretched from theEider Riverin the north to theMediterraneancoast in the south.[24]Under the reign of theOttonianemperors (9191024), several majorduchieswere consolidated, and the German kingOtto Iwas crownedHoly Roman Emperorof these regions in 962. In 996Gregory Vbecame the first German Pope, appointed by his cousinOtto III, whom he shortly after crownedHoly Roman Emperor.[27]The Holy Roman Empire absorbed northern Italy andBurgundyunder the reign of theSalianemperors (10241125), although the emperors lost power through theInvestiture Controversy.[28]

Martin Lutherinitiated theProtestant ReformationUnder theHohenstaufenemperors (11381254), the German princes increased their influence further south and east into territories inhabited bySlavs, precedingGerman settlementin these areas and further east(Ostsiedlung). Northern German towns grew prosperous as members of theHanseatic League.[29]Starting with theGreat Faminein 1315, then theBlack Deathof 134850, the population of Germany plummeted.[30]The edict of theGolden Bullin 1356 provided the basic constitution of the empire and codified the election of the emperor by sevenprince-electorswho ruled some of the most powerful principalities and archbishoprics.[31]Martin LutherpublicisedThe Ninety-Five Thesesin 1517 in Wittenberg, challenging the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church and initiating theProtestant Reformation. A separateLutheranchurch became the official religion in many German states after 1530. Religious conflict led to theThirty Years' War(16181648), which devastated German lands.[32]The population of the German states was reduced by about 30%.[33]ThePeace of Westphalia(1648) ended religious warfare among the German states, but the empire wasde factodivided into numerous independent principalities. In the 18th century, the Holy Roman Empire consisted of approximately 1,800 suchterritories.[34]From 1740 onwards,dualismbetween the AustrianHabsburg Monarchyand theKingdom of Prussiadominated German history. In 1806, theImperiumwas overrun and dissolved as a result of theNapoleonic Wars.[35]German Confederation and Empire[edit]Main articles:German Confederation,German EmpireandPan-Germanism

Origin of theBlack-Red-Gold:German Revolution of 1848(Berlin, 19 March 1848)

Foundation of theGerman EmpireinVersailles, 1871.Bismarckis at the center in a white uniform.Following the fall ofNapoleon, theCongress of Viennaconvened in 1814 and founded the German Confederation (Deutscher Bund), a loose league of39 sovereign states. Disagreement withrestorationpolitics partly led to the rise ofliberalmovements, followed by new measures of repression by Austrian statesmanMetternich. TheZollverein, a tariff union, furthered economic unity in the German states.[36]Nationaland liberal ideals of theFrench Revolutiongained increasing support among many, especially young, Germans. TheHambach Festivalin May 1832 was a main event in support ofGerman unity, freedom and democracy. In the light of aseries of revolutionary movements in Europe, which established a republicin France, intellectuals and commoners started theRevolutions of 1848 in the German states. KingFrederick William IV of Prussiawas offered the title of Emperor, but with a loss of power; he rejected the crown and the proposed constitution, leading to a temporary setback for the movement.[37]Conflict between KingWilliam Iof Prussia and the increasingly liberal parliament erupted over military reforms in 1862, and the king appointedOtto von Bismarckthe newMinister President of Prussia. Bismarck successfully wagedwar on Denmarkin 1864. Prussian victory in theAustro-Prussian Warof 1866 enabled him to create theNorth German Confederation(Norddeutscher Bund) and to excludeAustria, formerly the leading German state, from the federation's affairs. After the French defeat in theFranco-Prussian War, the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871 inVersailles, uniting all scattered parts of Germany except Austria (Kleindeutschland, or "Lesser Germany").

TheGerman Empire(18711918), with the dominantKingdom of Prussiain blueWith almost two-thirds of its territory and population, Prussia was the dominating constituent of the new state; theHohenzollernKing of Prussia ruled as its concurrent Emperor, and Berlin became its capital.[37]In theGrnderzeitperiod following theunification of Germany, Bismarck's foreign policy asChancellor of Germanyunder Emperor William I secured Germany's position as a great nation by forging alliances, isolatingFranceby diplomatic means, and avoiding war. As a result of theBerlin Conferencein 1884 Germany claimed severalcoloniesincludingGerman East Africa,German South-West Africa,Togo, andCameroon.[38]UnderWilhelm II, however, Germany, like other European powers, took animperialisticcourse leading to friction with neighbouring countries. Most alliances in which Germany had previously been involved were not renewed, and new alliances excluded the country.[39]TheassassinationofAustria's crown princeon 28 June 1914 triggeredWorld War I. Germany, as part of theCentral Powers, suffered defeat against theAlliesinone of the bloodiestconflicts of all time. An estimated two million German soldiers died in World War I.[40]TheGerman Revolutionbroke out in November 1918, and Emperor Wilhelm II and all German ruling princesabdicated. Anarmisticeended the war on 11 November, and Germany was forced to sign theTreaty of Versaillesin June 1919. The treaty was perceived in Germany as a humiliating continuation of the war, and is often cited as an influence in the rise ofNazism.[41]Weimar Republic and the Third Reich[edit]Main articles:Weimar RepublicandNazi GermanyAt the beginning of theGerman Revolutionin November 1918, Germany was declared arepublic. However, the struggle for power continued, with radical-leftCommunistsseizing power in Bavaria. The revolution came to an end on 11 August 1919, when the democraticWeimar Constitutionwas signed byPresidentFriedrich Ebert.[42]An era of increasing national confidence, a very liberal cultural life and decade of economic prosperity followed - known as theGolden Twenties. Suffering from theGreat Depressionof 1929, the peace conditions dictated by theTreaty of Versailles, and a long succession of unstable governments, Germans increasingly lacked identification with the government in the early 1930s.[citation needed]This was exacerbated by a widespread right-wingDolchstolegende, orstab-in-the-back legend, which argued that Germany had lost World War I because of those who wanted to overthrow the government.[citation needed]The Weimar government was accused of betraying Germany by signing the Versailles Treaty.[citation needed]

Adolf Hitler,Fhrer[43]ofNazi GermanyBy 1932, theGerman Communist Partyand theNazi Partycontrolled the majority ofParliament, fuelled by discontent with the Weimar government. After a series of unsuccessful cabinets, PresidentPaul von HindenburgappointedAdolf Hitleras Chancellor of Germany on 30 January 1933.[44]On 27 February 1933 theReichstagbuilding went up in flames, and a consequentemergency decreeabrogated basic citizens' rights. Anenabling actpassed in parliament gave Hitler unrestricted legislative power. Only theSocial Democratic Partyvoted against it, whileCommunistMPshad already been imprisoned.[45][46]Using his powers to crush any actual or potential resistance, Hitler established a centralisedtotalitarian statewithin months. Industry was revitalised with a focus on military rearmament.[47]In 1935, Germany reacquired control of theSaarand in 1936 military control of theRhineland, both of which had been lost in the Treaty of Versailles.[48]In 1938,Austriawasannexed, and in 1939,Czechoslovakiawas brought under German control. Theinvasion of Polandwas prepared through theMolotovRibbentrop pactandOperation Himmler. On 1 September 1939 the GermanWehrmachtlaunched ablitzkriegonPoland, which was swiftly occupied by Germany and by the SovietRed Army. The UK and France declared war on Germany, marking the beginning ofWorld War II.[49]As the war progressed, Germany and itsalliesquickly gained control of most ofcontinental EuropeandNorth Africa, though plans toforce the United Kingdomto an armistice or surrender failed. On 22 June 1941, Germany broke the MolotovRibbentrop pact andinvaded the Soviet Union.Japan'sattack on Pearl Harborled Germany to declare war on theUnited States. TheBattle of Stalingradforced the German army to retreat on theEastern front.[49]In September 1943, Germany's ally Italy surrendered, and German troops were forced to defend an additional front in Italy.D-Dayopened aWestern front, as Allied forces advanced towards German territory. On 8 May 1945,the German armed forces surrenderedafter the Red Army occupied Berlin.[50]In what later became known asThe Holocaust, the Nazi regime enacted policies which directly persecuted many dissidents and minorities. Over 10 million civilians were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust, including six millionJews, between 220,000 and 1,500,000Romani people, 275,000persons with mental and/or physical disabilities, thousands ofJehovah's Witnesses, thousands ofhomosexuals, and hundreds of thousands ofmembers of the political and religious opposition.[51]6 millionUkrainiansandPolesand an estimated 2.8 millionSoviet war prisonerswere also killed by the Nazi regime and in total World War II was responsible for around40million deaths in Europe.[52]

Berlinin ruins after World War II.German armywar casualtieswere between 3.25 million and 5.3 million soldiers,[53]and between 1 and 3 millionGerman civilians were killed.[54][55]Losing the war resulted inlarge territorial lossesfor Germany,the expulsion of about 15million ethnic Germansfrom theformer eastern territories of Germanyand other formerly occupied countries. Germany sufferedmass rape of German women[56]and thedestruction of numerous major cities due to allied bombing, street battles and laid firestorms during the war. After World War II, Nazis, former Nazis and others were tried for war crimes, including crimes related to theHolocaust, at theNuremberg trials.[57]East and West Germany[edit]Main article:History of Germany (19451990)

Occupation zonesin Germany, 1947. The territories east of theOder-Neisse line, under Polish and Sovietde jureadministration andde factoannexation, are shown as white, as is the detachedSaar protectorate.After the surrender of Germany, the remaining German territory and Berlin were partitioned by theAlliesinto four military occupation zones. Together, these zones accepted more than 6.5 million of the ethnic Germans expelled from eastern areas.[58]The western sectors, controlled by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, were merged on 23 May 1949 to form theFederal Republic of Germany(Bundesrepublik Deutschland); on 7 October 1949, the Soviet Zone became theGerman Democratic Republic(Deutsche Demokratische Republik, or DDR). They were informally known as "West Germany" and "East Germany". East Germany selected East Berlin as its capital, while West Germany choseBonnas a provisional capital, to emphasise its stance that the two-state solution was an artificial and temporarystatus quo.[59]West Germany, established as a federal parliamentary republic with a "social market economy", was allied with the United States, the UK and France.Konrad Adenauerwas elected the firstFederal Chancellor(Bundeskanzler) of Germany in 1949 and remained in office until 1963. Under his andLudwig Erhard's leadership, the country enjoyed prolonged economic growth beginning in the early 1950s, that became famous as the "economic miracle" (German:Wirtschaftswunder). West Germany joinedNATOin 1955 and was a founding member of theEuropean Economic Communityin 1957.East Germany was anEastern Blocstate under political and military control by theUSSRvia the latter's occupation forces and theWarsaw Pact. Though East Germany claimed to be a democracy, political power was exercised solely by leading members (Politbro) of the communist-controlledSocialist Unity Party of Germany(SED), supported by theStasi, an immense secret service,[60]and a variety of sub-organisations controlling every aspect of society. A Soviet-stylecommand economywas set up; the GDR later became aComeconstate.[61]

TheBerlin Wallin front of theBrandenburg Gateshortly before its fall in 1989. Today the Gate is often regarded as Germany's main nationallandmark.WhileEast German propagandawas based on the benefits of the GDR's social programmes and the alleged constant threat of a West German invasion, many of its citizens looked to the West for freedom and prosperity.[62]TheBerlin Wall, built in 1961 to stop East Germans from escaping to West Germany, became a symbol of theCold War,[37]hence its fall in 1989, following democratic reforms in Poland and Hungary, became a symbol of theFall of Communism,German ReunificationandDie Wende.Tensions between East and West Germany were reduced in the early 1970s byChancellorWilly Brandt'sOstpolitik. In summer 1989, Hungary decided to dismantle theIron Curtainand open the borders, causing the emigration of thousands ofEast Germansto West Germany via Hungary. This had devastating effects on theGDR, where regularmass demonstrationsreceived increasing support. The East German authorities unexpectedly eased the border restrictions, allowing East German citizens to travel to the West; originally intended to help retain East Germany as a state, the opening of the border actually led to an acceleration of theWendereform process. This culminated in theTwo Plus Four Treatya year later on 12 September 1990, under which the four occupying powers renounced their rights under theInstrument of Surrender, and Germany regained full sovereignty. This permittedGerman reunificationon 3 October 1990, with the accession of the five re-established states of the former GDR (new statesor "neue Lnder").[37]German reunification and the EU[edit]

TheGerman Unity Flag, raised outside theReichstagon 3 October 1990 as a national memorial toGerman reunification. The Reichstag is the meeting place of theBundestag(German parliament).Main articles:German reunificationandHistory of Germany since 1990Based on theBerlin/Bonn Act, adopted on 10 March 1994,Berlinonce again became the capital of the reunified Germany, whileBonnobtained the unique status of aBundesstadt(federal city) retaining some federal ministries.[63]The relocation of the government was completed in 1999.[64]Since reunification, Germany has taken a more active role in theEuropean Unionand NATO. Germany sent a peacekeeping force to secure stability in theBalkansand sent a force ofGerman troopstoAfghanistanas part of a NATO effort to providesecurity in that countryafter the ousting of theTaliban.[65]These deployments were controversial since, after the war, Germany was bound by domestic law only to deploy troops for defence roles.[66]In 2005,Angela Merkelbecame the first female Chancellor of Germany as the leader of agrand coalition.[37]Germany hosted the2007 G8 summitinHeiligendamm,Mecklenburg. In 2009, aliberal-conservativecoalition underMerkelassumed leadership of the country. In 2013, another grand coalition was established in aThird Merkel cabinet.Geography[edit]

Topographic mapMain article:Geography of GermanyGermany is inWesternandCentral Europe, withDenmarkbordering to the north,Polandand theCzech Republicto the east,AustriaandSwitzerlandto the south,FranceandLuxembourgto the southwest, andBelgiumand theNetherlandsto the northwest. It lies mostly between latitudes47and55 N(the tip ofSyltis just north of 55), and longitudes5and16 E. The territory covers 357,021km2(137,847sqmi), consisting of 349,223km2(134,836sqmi) of land and 7,798km2(3,011sqmi) of water. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the62nd largest in the world.[5]Elevation ranges from the mountains of theAlps(highest point: theZugspitzeat 2,962 metres or 9,718 feet) in the south to the shores of theNorth Sea(Nordsee) in the northwest and theBaltic Sea(Ostsee) in the northeast. The forested uplands of central Germany and the lowlands of northern Germany (lowest point:Wilstermarschat 3.54 metres or 11.6 feet below sea level) are traversed by such major rivers as theRhine,DanubeandElbe. Glaciers are found in the Alpine region, but are experiencing deglaciation. Significant natural resources are iron ore, coal,potash, timber,lignite,uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel,arable landand water.[5]Climate[edit]

Steep coastofDarss,Western Pomerania- typical of theBalticcoastal landscape innorthern GermanyMost of Germany has atemperate seasonal climatein which humid westerly winds predominate. The country is situated in between theoceanicWestern European and thecontinentalEastern European climate. The climate is moderated by theNorth Atlantic Drift, the northern extension of theGulf Stream. This warmer water affects the areas bordering the North Sea; consequently in the northwest and the north the climate isoceanic. Germany gets an average of 789mm (31in)precipitationper year. Rainfall occurs year-round, with no obligatory dry season. Winters are mild and summers tend to be warm, temperatures can exceed 30C(86F).[67]The east has a morecontinental climate; winters can be very cold and summers very warm, and longer dry periods can occur. Central and southern Germany are transition regions which vary from moderately oceanic to continental. In addition to the maritime and continental climates that predominate over most of the country, the Alpine regions in the extreme south and, to a lesser degree, some areas of the Central German Uplands have a mountain climate, characterised by lower temperatures and greater precipitation.[67]Biodiversity[edit]

Thegolden eagleis a protected bird of prey.The territory of Germany can be subdivided into twoecoregions:European-Mediterranean montane mixed forestsand Northeast-Atlantic shelf marine.[68]As of 2008the majority of Germany is covered by either arable land (34%) or forest andwoodland(30.1%); only 13.4% of the area consists of permanent pastures, 11.8% is covered by settlements and streets.[69]Plants and animals are those generally common to middle Europe. Beeches, oaks, and other deciduous trees constitute one-third of the forests; conifers are increasing as a result of reforestation. Spruce and fir trees predominate in the upper mountains, while pine and larch are found in sandy soil. There are many species of ferns, flowers, fungi, and mosses. Wild animals include deer, wild boar, mouflon, fox, badger, hare, and small numbers of beavers.[70]Thebluecornflowerwas once a Germannational symbol.[71]The 14national parks in Germanyinclude theJasmund National Park, theVorpommern Lagoon Area National Park, theMritz National Park, theWadden Sea National Parks, theHarz National Park, theHainich National Park, theSaxon Switzerland National Park, theBavarian Forest National Parkand theBerchtesgaden National Park. In addition, there are 14Biosphere Reserves, as well as 98nature parks.More than 400 registered zoos and animal parks operate in Germany, which is believed to be the largest number in any country.[72]TheBerlin Zooopened in 1844 is the oldest zoo in Germany, and presents the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.[73]

Politics[edit]Main article:Politics of GermanySee also:Judiciary of GermanyandLaw enforcement in Germany

Political system of Germany

TheReichstag buildingin Berlin is the site of the German parliament (Bundestag)Germany is afederal,parliamentary,representative democraticrepublic. The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitutional document known as theGrundgesetz(Basic Law). Amendments generally require a two-thirds majority of both chambers of parliament; 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.[74]Thepresidentis thehead of stateand invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by theBundesversammlung(federal convention), an institution consisting of the members of theBundestagand an equal number of state delegates. The second-highest official in theGerman order of precedenceis theBundestagsprsident(President of theBundestag), who is elected by theBundestagand responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body.