Germany
Germany At A Glance
Germany has been a democratic parliamentary federal republic since 1949. Following reunification in 1990 it now consists of 16 federal states. The Federal President is the head of state and the government is led by the Federal Chancellor.
Area
Germany covers an area of 357,022 square kilometres. It is 876 kilometres from its northernmost tip to the southernmost point as the crow flies, and 640 kilometres from east to west.
Cities, Towns & Countryside
The capital Berlin is also Germany's largest city, with a population of 3.4 million. Other cities with more than one million residents are Hamburg (1.8 million) and Munich (1.3 million). Cologne is just below the one-million mark. Frankfurt am Main (pop. 662,000) is a centre of international finance.
Germany is a country rich in natural beauty. Between the North Sea and Baltic coasts in the north and the peaks of the Alps in the south lie extremely diverse landscapes, with everything from wide expanses of river and lakeland scenery, hilly uplands and densely wooded regions to agricultural plains and industrial conurbations. The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany at 2,963 metres. Germany's longest river is the Rhine, which flows through the country for a total of 865 kilometres. Germany has 14 national parks, 101 nature reserves and 15 biosphere reserves.
Population
Germany has the largest population of any European country, around 82 million – a density of 230 people per square kilometre.
Lifestyle
Today, life in Germany is subject to a great diversity of cultural influences. It can generally be described as modern and cosmopolitan. The people of Germany love nothing more than getting together and celebrating, in traditional style during carnival season, at wine festivals, at the Oktoberfest and other beer festivals, or during music festivals from classical to rock – all helped along by great food and fine wines from the 13 vineyard regions.
Towns & Cities
There is something for everyone in Germany's towns and cities – whether it's the big city buzz or the famous architecture, the historic sights or the packed shopping streets, the enchanting medieval houses or the scintillating nightlife.
Incredibly, there are more than 10,000 towns and cities in Germany between the North Sea and the Alps. And each one has a charm all of its own. In these vibrant destinations, you can look forward to concerts, cultural events, and high-calibre museums. There is also plenty to discover in the way of monuments and historical buildings. More information about Germany's big cities and its most popular towns can be found in the Magic Cities section.
Every day, Germany's big cities and romantic towns are just waiting to be discovered.
Museums
The 6,250 or so museums in Germany serve as worlds of discovery and use exciting concepts to explore art and history, technology and architecture, literature and the natural world. Expect plenty of 'aha' moments!
Gain an insight into various cultural epochs at Berlin's Museum Island, admire art from the Old Masters to the modern age in Frankfurt's Städel Institute, and learn about science and technology at the world-renowned Deutsches Museum in Munich. Germany's museums are informative, entertaining and lots of fun.
Boredom is a thing of the past! Germany's many museums cover an incredible range of subjects and inspire imagination, discovery and learning.
Palaces, Parks & Gardens
Get to know Germany's fairytale side: palaces, parks & gardens are perfect for romantic tours, delightful discoveries and magical moments. You're sure to be enchanted, whether in a UNESCO World Heritage site or a lesser-known gem.
A world of wonder just waiting to be discovered. Starting in Bavaria, with the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Burghausen, Herrenchiemsee Palace and the English Garden in Munich, or with Prince Pückler Park in Bad Muskau – there are fascinating attractions from every period and style to discover in all of Germany's federal states and in every region. Experience a world beyond your imagination – like a fairytale brought to life.
Encounter different periods and styles, lose yourself in the atmosphere of the past and follow the trail of famous names in Germany's Palaces, Parks and Gardens. Often imitated, never bettered.
Music
Germany has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world – musical traditions are not only treasured, they are very much alive. World-class composers and musicians continue to write Germany's musical success story every day.
Germany's classical composers captivated the music world centuries ago – and still do today. Renditions of their works by famous orchestras and choirs continually offer new ways to experience their unforgettable music. Germany's opera houses and concert halls – such as the Richard Wagner Festival Theatre or the modern underground Philharmonic Hall in Cologne – offer the perfect stage.
Fans of contemporary music enjoy themselves at concerts by rock and pop bands which, like musicals and shows, attract thousands of visitors – while jazz clubs, where audiences are up close to the stage, create an informal and intimate atmosphere.
From classical melodies in three-four time to modern techno beats: Germany is alive with the sound of music.
Information Courtesy Of Tourism In Germany
