About Germany

Geography

Since the reunification in 1989 Germany is once more one of the biggest countries in Europe with its capital Berlin. Obviously, it contains many geographical features as varied as the shore of the Baltic and North sea and the ecosystem of the Alps. 357,000 sq km are home to 82 million people with almost 80% living in urban areas. Germany shares borders with Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

Federal Provinces (Bundesländer)

Germany is divided into 16 federal provinces (Bundesländer): Baden Württemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfahlen (Northrhine -Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein and Thüringen (Thuringia)

Population

Germany's population is predominantly Caucasian, with a significant Turkish minority. Germany has absorbed a significant number of refugees from the former Yugoslavia. German is the main language although local dialects can be strong. Germany is a rather secular country. Even though the vast majority is Christian with 38% of the population being protestant and almost 34% being catholic. There are a certain number of Muslims and Jews forming religious minorities.

Weather and Climate in Germany

Germany's climate is almost as varied as its country but mostly temperate or marine. Extreme temperature lows and hights are rare. Winter temperatures vary from west to east, with about freezing temperatures in the west and well below freezing in eastern Germany. Summer temperatures are typically between 20 and 30°C, with more rainfall during the summer.

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