View source for Catogory:GER

*[[wikipedia:Germany]]
'''Germany''', officially the '''Federal Republic of Germany''' ({{Audio-de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland|De-Bundesrepublik_Deutschland-pronunciation.ogg}}, {{IPA2|ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant}}),<ref name="Duden6">{{cite book | editor = Max Mangold (ed.) | title = Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch (Duden Pronunciation Dictionary) | edition = 6th ed. | year = 1995 | publisher = Dudenverlag (Bibliographisches Institut & F.A. Brockhaus AG | location = Mannheim | language = German | isbn = 3-411-04066-1 | pages = pp 271, 53f }}</ref> is a [[country]] in [[Central Europe]]. It is bordered to the north by the [[North Sea]], [[Denmark]], and the [[Baltic Sea]]; to the east by [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]]; to the south by [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]]; and to the west by [[France]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Belgium]], and the [[Netherlands]]. The territory of Germany covers 357,021&nbsp;km² and is influenced by a [[temperate climate|temperate seasonal climate]].
With over 82 million inhabitants, it comprises the largest population among the member states of the [[European Union]] and is home to the [[List of countries by immigrant population|third-highest number of international migrants]] worldwide.<ref>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/countrydata/country.cfm Germany: Inflow of foreign population by country of nationality, 1994 to 2003]</ref>

A region named [[Germania]] inhabited by several [[Germanic people]]s has been known and [[Germania (book)|documented]] before 100 AD. Since the 10th century German territories have formed a central part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] that lasted until 1806. During the period, in the 16th century, the northern German regions became the centre of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. As a modern [[nation-state]], the country was first [[Unification of Germany|unified]] amidst the [[Franco-Prussian War]] in 1871. After [[World War II]], Germany was divided into two separate states along the lines of allied occupation in 1949.<ref>[[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany]] (2 BvF 1/73; BVerfGE 36, 1) : The [[German Reich]] as the German state is identically the very same to the [[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]] [because it exists as a nation-state and ''international legal personality'' ([[public international law]]) since 1871]. In 1949, at [[East Germany|East]] – West Germany division there was no foundation of a new West German state and no successor of the German Reich, instead of that a part of Germany was reorganized.</ref> The two states became [[German reunification|reunified]] again in 1990. [[West Germany]] was a founding member of the [[European Community|EC]] in 1957, which became the European Union in 1993. It is part of the borderless [[Schengen Agreement|Schengen zone]] and adopted the European currency, the [[Eurozone|euro]], in 1999.

Germany is a [[Federation|federal]] [[parliamentary republic]] of [[States of Germany|sixteen states]] ({{lang|de|''Länder''}}). The capital and largest city is [[Berlin]].
Germany is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[NATO]], the [[G8]], the [[G4 nations]],
and signed the [[Kyoto protocol]]. It is the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|third largest economy]] by nominal [[GDP]] and the [[List of countries by exports|largest exporter of goods]] in 2007. In absolute terms, Germany allocates the second biggest annual budget of [[development aid]] in the world,<ref> [http://www.topnews.in/germany-worlds-second-biggest-aid-donor-after-us-229970 Germany world's second biggest aid donor after US] TopNews, India, Retrieved 2008, [[April 10|04-10]].</ref>
while its [[List of countries by military expenditures#Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Figures|military expenditure ranked sixth]].<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.sipri.org/contents/milap/milex/mex_major_spenders.pdf/download
|title = The fifteen major spenders in 2006| accessdate = 2007-08-23 | year = 2007| format = PDF | work = Recent trends in military expenditure | publisher = Stockholm International Peace Research Institute }}</ref> The country has developed a [[List of countries by Human Development Index|high standard of living]] and established a comprehensive system of [[social security]]. It holds a key position in European affairs and maintains a multitude of close partnerships on a global level.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/04/europe/poll.php The leader of Europe? Answers an ocean apart] International Herald Tribune. April 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008, [[April|04-04]].</ref> Germany is recognized as a scientific and technological leader in several fields.<ref>[http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/informationstechnologie/bericht-109339.html Confidently into the Future with Reliable Technology] www.innovations-report.de. May 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008, [[May|04-04]].</ref>

==Germany at the Olympics==
[[File:BG08-Fans-waterpolo-GER_8-10-2008_1-09-34_AM.jpg|thumb|Fans from Germany wear the flags outside the water polo venue at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.]]

'''[[Germany]]''' have taken part in most of the '''[[Olympic Games]]''' since the first modern Games in 1896, scoring more than 500 Gold medals, second only to the [[USA]]. Germany has hosted three Olympic Games, the [[1936 Olympics]] (both the winter and summer) and the [[1972 Olympics]] (summer). In addition, Germany had been selected to host the [[1916 Summer Olympics]] as well as the [[1940 Winter Olympics]], which both had to be canceled due to the World Wars. After these wars, in 1920, 1924 and 1948, Germans were banned from participating, and while being divided, each German state has chosen to boycott once in the 1980s.

Up to 2006, Germans have won 1,548 medals, 503 gold, 519 silver and 526 bronze. The [[IOC]] currently splits these results among four [[:Nations|codes]], even though only the East German [[GDR]] was a separate team competing with the team that represented Germany (GER).

===Future hosts===

====Some German residents get referendum on 2018 Olympics====
In March 2011, there was news that the people of [[Garmisch-Partenkirchen]] will get a vote on whether they are for or against their community hosting the Alpine [[skiing]] if [[Munich]] wins its bid to stage the [[2018 Olympics]].
<ref>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/more/03/30/germans.olympics.ap/index.html</ref>

== German post-WW2 division until 1990==
The IOC in 1950 recognized an [[Nationales Olympisches Komitee für Deutschland]] for all of Germany, based in (West) Germany.

Due to the [[Cold War]], an East German state ([[East Germany|German Democratic Republic]]) was created in 1949, and a separate National Olympic Committee (NOC) for East Germany was created in 1951. It was not recognized by the IOC which until 1965 required that athletes of the NOC of East Germany join the German team represented by the NOC of (West) Germany. This team, which competed together from 1956 to 1964, is nowadays called the [[United Team of Germany]] (''EUA'', "Equipe Unifiée Allemande"), but was Germany (''GER'') then. As a result of the [[Berlin Wall]] dividing Germany, since 1968 two independent teams competed at each Games, designated ''GER'' for the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and ''GDR'' for the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). In 1980 the West Germany code was changed to ''FRG'' (which is nowadays also applied in retrospect). After the GDR ceased to exist in 1990 when its states joined the Federal Republic of Germany, Germany once again was represented by a single team (designated ''GER'', as usual).

Additionally, in the early 1950s the French-occupied [[Saar (protectorate)|Saar]] had its own NOC and competed at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] before joining the German Olympic team in 1956, and the (West) German state by 1957.

== Germany at Olympia ==
[[Image:OlympiaGermanExcavation.jpg|thumb|Germany's first team at [[Olympia%2C_Greece#Excavation|Olympia]], leading Greek workers in the excavations of 1875-1881]]
The history of Germany at [[Olympia%2C_Greece#Excavation|Olympia]] predates the First Olympics of 1896, as  exclusive access rights to excavate the ancient Greek site have been granted to [[German Empire]] archaeologists in 1874. Since 1875, systematic excavations are undertaken by several German expeditions and initiatives. 

[[Nadine Kleinert]] won a silver medal at the ancient site  as the [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics - Women's shot put|shot put contests]] of the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] were held there.

==Germany at Summer Games==
Athletes from '''[[Germany]] (GER)''' have appeared in only 22 of the 25 editions of the '''[[Summer Olympic Games]]''' as they were not invited to three events after the World Wars, in 1920, 1924 and 1948. Germany hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice, the [[1936 Summer Olympics]] in [[Berlin]], and the [[1972 Summer Olympics]] in [[Munich]].

The nation appeared 12 times as a single country (IOC code GER), before [[World War II]] and again after [[German reunification]] in 1990. Three times, from 1956 to 1964, German athletes from the separate states in West and East competed as a [[United Team of Germany]], which is currently listed by the IOC as EUA, not GER. 

Due to partition under occupation that resulted in three post-war German states, German athletes took part seven times for the contemporary states they lived in, in 1952, and from 1968 to 1988. The all-time results of German athletes are thus divided among the designations GER, EUA, FRG, GDR and also SAA (the [[Saarland]] only took part in the 1952 Summer games and won no medal).

===Germany headed into 2008 Olympics===
====Germany aim to stop the slide in Beijing====
:July 15, 2008

[[Germany]] topped the medal table at the [[2006 Olympics]] in [[Turin]]. The modest and precise Germans decide to keep their feet firmly planted on earth headed into [[Beijing]] as they aim to at least match the sixth-place finish they achieved in [[Athens]] in 2004.

"We have not set gold medal targets yet, but we aim to consolidate the status we have achieved in Athens. Because I believe the competition in Beijing will be very fierce," [[Thomas Bach]], president of the [[German Olympic Committee]] (GOC), told Xinhuain a May 29, 2008 interview.

GOC downsized its projection for Beijing based on the backslide in the last Olympics.

Germany won 57 medals including 14 golds and finished fifth on the medal tally in [[2000 Olympics]] in [[Sydney]]. But in [[Athens]] in 2004, Germany only won 49 in total with 13 golds and was surpassed by the resurgent [[Japan]], well behind superpowers [[United States]], [[China]], [[Russia]] and [[Australia]].

If they hope to stop the slide in the sweltering heat in August, the "ice and snow kings" had to fuel their medals drive on the traditional disciplines.

'''Canoeing, handball, women's football, and the equestrian are the Germans' favorite events in summer Olympics.'''

In Athens, the [[canoeing]] team gained four golds and nine medals in total. However, German's dominance on the water might be challenged with the retirement of 46-year-old ace kayaker [[Birgit Fisher]], who has won eight gold medals over a record of six different Olympics including twice representing [[East Germany]].

With her absence, the 21-year-old promising star [[Fanny Fischer]], who have picked up two golds in 2007 World Championships, is tipped to play a leading role in [[kayak]]'s [[K2 class]].

Up to now, more than 200 German athletes have qualified for 29th Olympics, with a total of '''450 expected''' to constitute the final delegation, the [[biggest in the Western Europe]].

Among them, [[Britta Steffen]], the former world holder of women's 100 meters freestyle, would become one of Germany's brightest prospects in the pool. However, the current holder and Sydney Olympics gold medalist, [[Libby Trickett]] from [[Australia]], will pose threat to the 24-year-old German.

In team sports, after wining the 2007 World Cup in China, '''Germany's women footballers''' has the strength to clinch the gold and to overthrow the United States' longtime dominance in the Olympic arena.

As the 2007 world champions, the German men's [[handball]] team hopes to bounce back from the bitter defeat to [[Croatia]] in the finale in 2004 Olympics in Athens and decides to grab their first Olympic gold medal in 28 years.

On the [[hockey]] field, Germany will hope to wrestle the Olympic crown from [[Australia]] and regain the world number one spot.

German men's [[basketball]] team has not qualified yet as they finished fifth in the European Championships and missed the direct chance to progress early to Beijing. [[Dirk Nowitzki]], the NBA All-Star forward-led team has still to battle for one of three tickets left in the Athens qualifying tournament from July 14-20.

Though the other 11 opponents including regional powerhouses like [[Greece]] and [[Brazil]] will make a desperate fight, Germany could still take the initiative as they were bolstered by the joining of [[Chris Kaman]]. The powerful center from Los Angeles Clipper has accepted his German passport and will make up the desirable inside dominance together with Dirk. Having never finished higher than seventh in Olympics arena, Germans have reason to go one better in Beijing.

In [[athletics]], Germans could hardly challenge the [[United States]] and [[Russia]], especially after [[Lars Riedel]] retired early this month from a discus throw career that included an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta and five world titles.

Germany's [[equestrian]] team was deprived of three gold medals in Athens due to the accusation that the champion horses "gold fever", "cockatoo" and "gold love" had taken the performance enhancing drugs. {{drugs}} German riders aim to prove their strength and reputation in the saddle again this time especially after they won the world championships in [[Aachen]] earlier this month.

== Timeline of Germany at the Summer Olympics ==

=== 1896 - 1912 ===
[[Image:Flag of the German Empire.svg|80px|thumb|right|1896-1912]]
Germany entered all Olympic Games starting in 1896, even though the relations between the [[German Empire]] under Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the [[French Third Republic]] where [[Pierre de Coubertin]] revived Olympic games and held the [[1900 Summer Olympics]], were strained following the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870/71. The overall medals ranks varied from 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th to 7th. 

The worst result, 7th overall, occurred in Paris in 1900. The German gymnasts were judged no better than 53rd in   [[Gymnastics at the 1900 Summer Olympics|the single gymnastic contest]] organized by the French, behind dozens of Frenchmen which occupied the first 18 places and thus won all 3 medals. In contrast, the [[Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics]] in Athens had seen 8 contests, with Germans scoring 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze.

The anticipated [[1916 Summer Olympics]], which were to be officially known as the Games of the VI Olympiad, were to have been held in Germany's capital, [[Berlin]]. At the outbreak of [[World War I]] in 1914, organization continued, as no one foresaw the war dragging on for four years. Eventually, though, the games were canceled. 

=== 1920 - 1948 ===
* https://www.quora.com/Did-Nazi-Germany-participate-in-the-Olympics-and-how

[[Image:Flag of Germany (2-3).svg|80px|thumb|right|1928-1932]]
After World War I, the [[German Empire]] became a republic informally known as [[Weimar Republic]], a change which was reflected in a new [[flag of Germany]] that in fact was older than the former one, dating back to early 19th century democratic movements. In the [[Paris Peace Conference, 1919|Paris Peace Conference]], the outbreak of the war was blamed on Germany and other [[Central Powers]] allies. These nations, which by now had new governments, were banned from the [[1920 Summer Olympics]]. While all other banned nations were invited again for the [[1924 Summer Olympics]], held for the second time in [[Pierre de Coubertin]]'s home town of Paris, the ban on Germany was not lifted until 1925. This was likely related to French [[Occupation of the Ruhr]] and the [[Rheinland]] between 1923 and 1925.

After 16 years of absence, a new generation of German athletes returned in the [[1928 Summer Olympics]], scoring 2nd overall in a convincing comeback. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, fewer than half the number of participants from the 1928 Games appeared in the [[1932 Summer Olympics]] in Los Angeles. Winning only 3 Gold, the German team was ranked as low as 9th, even though they were joint 2nd in Silver medals, with 12.

[[Image:Flag of Germany 1933.svg|80px|thumb|right|1936]]
Already in spring of 1931 it had been decided that the [[1936 Summer Olympics]] were to be held in Berlin, 20 years later than planned. From 1933 onwards, Germany became known as [[Nazi Germany]], the change being marked also by the use of the Nazi party flag. In the games, the 348 German athletes not only outnumbered the 310 Americans, but outscored them for the first time in the medal count in which Germany ranked first. Also, German gymnasts [[Konrad Frey]] and [[Alfred Schwarzmann]] won the most medals, with 6 and 5 in total, of which 3 each were Gold, while American [[Jesse Owens]] had scored 4 Gold. [[Leni Riefenstahl]] documented the games in the film ''[[Olympia (1938 film)|Olympia]]''.

The [[1940 Summer Olympics]] as well as the [[1944 Summer Olympics]] had to be canceled due to [[World War II]]. For the [[1948 Summer Olympics]], with the war in recent memory, Germany and Japan were not invited.

== Separate German teams 1952 - 1988 ==
[[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|80px|thumb|right|1952-1956<br>since 1972]]
A [[United Team of Germany]] with athletes from two states appeared three times at the Olympic games from 1956 to 1964. The IOC currently does not attribute these results to Germany (GER), but lists them separately as "Equipe Unifiée Allemande" (EUA). 

Before that, in the 1952 games, only athletes from the Western part of Germany took part, representing the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] (GER), which as the only independent democratic state, covering the largest part of Germany, claimed [[Exclusive mandate]] to represent all of Germany. In the 1952 Summer games, also German athletes from the [[Saar (protectorate)|Saarland]] (SAA) took part. They had to field a separate team as the French-occupied state could join the democratic Federal Republic of Germany only after 1955.

West Germany used the code GER at the Games from 1968 to 1976, although their athletes' participation at these Games is now coded under FRG by the IOC. The code FRG was first used in 1980.

Athletes from the Soviet-occupied [[German Democratic Republic]] (GDR) appeared in a separate team after the United Team effort was discontinued. In five events, from 1968 to 1980 and in 1988, they represented the GDR rather successfully before the East German states joined the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990, and the GDR ceased to exist.

Since 1990, the enlarged Federal Republic of Germany is simply called Germany (GER). The six participations in 1952, 1968 to 1976, 1984 to 1988 are still listed by the IOC under FRG, though, and not attributed to GER.

In the 1980s, each of the two states participated once in the multinational boycotts of Summer games. Many western countries including the Federal Republic of Germany boycotted the Moscow games in 1980 due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In turn, communist bloc states including the GDR boycotted Los Angeles in 1984. Thus, only one German team was present in each of these two events.

=== FRG (West Germany)===
The '''[[Federal Republic of Germany]] (FRG)''', often called '''[[West Germany]]''', was founded in 1949 as the largest of the three German states formed under occupation after the division of [[Germany]] following [[World War II]]. The West German NOC continued the tradition of the German NOC that had joined the IOC in 1895, and continued to represent the Germany that was enlarged after the [[Saar protectorate]] (SAA) joined the Federal Republic of Germany in 1956, and after the states of the former [[German Democratic Republic]] (GDR) ([[East Germany]]) had joined in the process of [[German reunification]] in 1990.

German teams competed in the 1952 '''[[Summer Olympic Games]]''' designated as GER and SAA. In Olympic Games in 1956, 1960 and 1964, German athletes competed as [[United Team of Germany]] (EUA), but the two states sent independent teams designated as West and East Germany after that for five Games between 1968 and 1988 until the separate East German state ceased to exist.

===United Team of Germany 1956-1964===
After three German states had been founded in [[Germany]] under occupation after [[World War II]], athletes from the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] (FRG, [[West Germany]]) and the [[German Democratic Republic]] (GDR, [[East Germany]]) competed together as the '''United Team of Germany''' (EUA for {{lang-fr|Équipe unifiée d'Allemagne}}, {{lang-de|Gesamtdeutsche Mannschaft}}) in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 [[Winter Olympics|Winter]] and [[Summer Olympics]].

Prior to that, German athletes from West Germany and the French-occupied Saarland took part in the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] organized in different teams designated as GER and SAA. The Saarland joined the Federal Republic after 1955, while the East German authorities, which had not taken part in 1952, agreed in 1956 to let their athletes compete in a united team that used the black-red-gold [[tricolour]] [[Flag of Germany]], but with additional [[Olympic symbols|Olympic rings]] in white placed upon the red middle stripe as East German politicians were eager not to compete under the traditional plain German flag used both by West Germany and even themselves. Only in 1959, the GDR added socialist symbols to create a distinct [[Flag of the German Democratic Republic|Flag of East Germany]]. As the use of the [[Deutschlandlied]], dating back to 1841 and 1797, of the recently created East German anthem, or of possible combinations was also rejected, Beethoven's melody to Schiller's '''Ode an die Freude''' ([[Ode to Joy]]) was played for winning German athletes as a compromise in lieu of a [[national anthem]].

During the Games of 1956, 1960 and 1964 the traditional abbrevation '''GER''' for Germany was used, or rather the equivalents in the language of the host country. In Innsbruck in 1964, the Austrians just used the [[International license plate code]]s, D for Deutschland (Germany), or F for France. The [[List of IOC country codes|IOC code]] currently uses '''EUA''' (from the official [[French language|French-language]] IOC designation, ''Equipe Unifiée Allemande'') and applies this in hindsight for the United German Team. No reasoning is given, it may be done to allow for the political circumstances during the German divide between 1949 and 1990, and the involvement of two [[National Olympic Committee]]s rather than only one.

Despite initially calling for a "united Germany" in the [[Auferstanden aus Ruinen|East German anthem]], the socialist East German government intensified their separation in Germany, with the erection of the [[Berlin Wall]] in August of 1961 obstructing travel within Germany even more. The travel of GDR athletes, e.g. to contests and training sites in the Alps, was limited due to fear of [[Republikflucht]].

As a result of this development, German athletes started in the [[1968 Winter Olympics]] as separate West and East teams, while still using the compromise flag and Beethoven anthem in that year. The French organizers used the codes ALL (Allemagne, Germany) and ADE (Allemagne de'Est, East Germany), which roughly correspond to the IOC codes GER and GDR.


[[Image:Flag of East Germany.svg|80px|thumb|right|1968-1988]]
The separation was completed at the [[1972 Summer Olympics]] with the use of separate flags and anthems. It continued until the German Democratic Republic ceased to exist after 1989, with their states joining the Federal Republic of Germany in the process of [[German Reunification]] in 1990.

==Medal tables==
===Medals by Games===
{{main|All-time Olympic Games medal count}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Games 
|align=center bgcolor=gold| '''Gold''' 
|align=center bgcolor=silver| '''Silver''' 
|align=center bgcolor=cc9966| '''Bronze''' 
! Total 
! Rank 
! Team 
|-
|align=left| [[1896 Summer Olympics|1896 Athens]] || 6 || 5 || 2 || 13 || 3rd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1896 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1900 Summer Olympics|1900 Paris]] || 4 || 2 || 2 || 8 || 7th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1900 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1904 Summer Olympics|1904 St. Louis]] || 4 || 4 || 5 || 13 || 2nd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1904 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1908 Summer Olympics|1908 London]] || 3 || 5 || 5 || 13 || 5th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1908 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1912 Summer Olympics|1912 Stockholm]] || 5 || 13 || 7 || 25 || 6th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1912 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1920 Summer Olympics|1920 Antwerp]] || – || – || – || – || – ||align=left| ''not invited''
|-
|align=left| [[1924 Summer Olympics|1924 Paris]] || – || – || – || – || – ||align=left| ''not invited''
|-
|align=left| [[1928 Summer Olympics|1928 Amsterdam]] || 10 || 7 || 14 || 31 || 2nd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1928 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1932 Summer Olympics|1932 Los Angeles]] || 3 || 12 || 5 || 20 || 9th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1932 Summer}}
|- style="background:#ccccff"
|align=left| [[1936 Summer Olympics|1936 Berlin]] (host nation) || 33 || 26 || 30 || 89 || 1st ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1936 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1948 Summer Olympics|1948 London]] || – || – || – || – || – ||align=left| ''not invited''
|-
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1952 Summer Olympics|1952 Helsinki]] || 0 || 7 || 17 || 24 || 28th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1952 Summer}}
|-
| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – ||align=left| {{flagIOC|SAA|1952 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Melbourne/Stockholm]] || 6 || 13 || 7 || 26 || 7th ||align=left| {{flagIOCteam|EUA|1956 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Rome]] || 12 || 19 || 11 || 42 || 4th ||align=left| {{flagIOCteam|EUA|1960 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1964 Summer Olympics|1964 Tokyo]] || 10 || 22 || 18 || 50 || 4th ||align=left| {{flagIOCteam|EUA|1964 Summer}}

|-
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1968 Summer Olympics|1968 Mexico City]] || 5 || 11 || 10 || 26 || 8th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|FRG|1968 Summer}}
|-
| 9 || 9 || 7 || 25 || 5th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GDR|1968 Summer}}
|- style="background:#ccccff"
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Munich]] (host nation) || 13 || 11 || 16 || 40 || 4th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|FRG|1972 Summer}}
|-
| 20 || 23 || 23 || 66 || 3rd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GDR|1972 Summer}}
|-
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Montreal]] || 10 || 12 || 17 || 39 || 4th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|FRG|1976 Summer}}
|-
| 40 || 25 || 25 || 90 || 2nd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GDR|1976 Summer}}
|-
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1980 Summer Olympics|1980 Moscow]] || colspan=4| ''[[American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics|boycotted]]'' || – ||align=left| {{flagicon|FRG}} West Germany
|-
| 47 || 37 || 42 || 126 || 2nd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GDR|1980 Summer}}
|-
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]] || 17 || 19 || 23 || 59 || 3rd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|FRG|1984 Summer}}
|-
| colspan=4| ''[[Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics|boycotted]]'' || – ||align=left| {{flagicon|GDR}} East Germany
|-
|rowspan=2 align=left| [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Seoul]] || 11 || 14 || 15 || 40 || 5th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|FRG|1988 Summer}}
|-
| 37 || 35 || 30 || 102 || 2nd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GDR|1988 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Barcelona]] || 33 || 21 || 28 || 82 || 3rd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1992 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]] || 20 || 18 || 27 || 65 || 3rd ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|1996 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] || 13 || 17 || 26 || 56 || 5th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|2000 Summer}}
|-
|align=left| [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] || 13 || 16 || 20 || 49 || 6th ||align=left| {{flagIOC|GER|2004 Summer}}
|-
! Total (GER) !! 147 !! 153 !! 188 !! 488 !! !!
|-
! Total (GDR) !! 153 !! 129 !! 127 !! 409 !! !!
|-
! Total (FRG) !! 56 !! 67 !! 81 !! 204 !! !!
|-
! Total (EUA) !! 28 !! 54 !! 36 !! 118 !! !!
|-
! Total !! 384 !! 403 !! 432 !! 1219 !! !!
|}

===Medals by sport (as GER)===
{| {{MedalTable|type=Sport}}
|-
|align=left| [[Canoeing at the Summer Olympics|Canoeing]] || 22 || 12 || 13 || 47
|-
|align=left| [[Rowing at the Summer Olympics|Rowing]] || 19 || 11 || 13 || 43
|-
|align=left| [[Equestrian at the Summer Olympics|Equestrian]] || 18 || 9 || 10 || 37
|-
|align=left| [[Athletics at the Summer Olympics|Athletics]] || 15 || 20 || 33 || 68
|-
|align=left| [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Gymnastics]] || 13 || 7 || 12 || 32
|-
|align=left| [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Swimming]] || 11 || 18 || 28 || 57
|-
|align=left| [[Cycling at the Summer Olympics|Cycling]] || 11 || 9 || 13 || 33
|-
|align=left| [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|Shooting]] || 7 || 7 || 2 || 16
|-
|align=left| [[Weightlifting at the Summer Olympics|Weightlifting]] || 5 || 7 || 7 || 19
|-
|align=left| [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Wrestling]] || 4 || 11 || 8 || 23
|-
|align=left| [[Boxing at the Summer Olympics|Boxing]] || 4 || 9 || 9 || 22
|-
|align=left| [[Fencing at the Summer Olympics|Fencing]] || 3 || 6 || 8 || 17
|-
|align=left| [[Sailing at the Summer Olympics|Sailing]] || 3 || 4 || 3 || 10
|-
|align=left| [[Diving at the Summer Olympics|Diving]] || 2 || 7 || 9 || 18
|-
|align=left| [[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Tennis]] || 2 || 5 || 2 || 9
|-
|align=left| [[Field hockey at the Summer Olympics|Field hockey]] || 2 || 2 || 2 || 6
|-
|align=left| [[Judo at the Summer Olympics|Judo]] || 2 || 0 || 10 || 12
|-
|align=left| [[Water polo at the Summer Olympics|Water polo]] || 1 || 2 || 0 || 3
|-
|align=left| [[Handball at the Summer Olympics|Handball]] || 1 || 1 || 0 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Modern pentathlon at the Summer Olympics|Modern pentathlon]] || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Archery at the Summer Olympics|Archery]] || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Table tennis at the Summer Olympics|Table tennis]] || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Rugby at the Summer Olympics|Rugby]] || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
|align=left| [[Taekwondo at the Summer Olympics|Taekwondo]] || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
|align=left| [[Triathlon at the Summer Olympics|Triathlon]] || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
|align=left| [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Football]] || 0 || 0 || 2 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Volleyball at the Summer Olympics|Volleyball]] || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
! Total !! 146 !! 152 !! 188 !! 486
|}
''These totals do not include the one gold and one silver medal won by Germany in [[figure skating at the 1908 Summer Olympics]].''

===Medals by sport (GDR)===
{| {{MedalTable|type=Sport}}
|-
|align=left| [[Athletics at the Summer Olympics|Athletics]] || 38 || 36 || 35 || 109
|-
|align=left| [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Swimming]] || 38 || 32 || 22 || 92
|-
|align=left| [[Rowing at the Summer Olympics|Rowing]] || 33 || 7 || 8 || 48
|-
|align=left| [[Canoeing at the Summer Olympics|Canoeing]] || 14 || 7 || 9 || 30
|-
|align=left| [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Gymnastics]] || 6 || 13 || 17 || 36
|-
|align=left| [[Cycling at the Summer Olympics|Cycling]] || 6 || 6 || 4 || 16
|-
|align=left| [[Boxing at the Summer Olympics|Boxing]] || 5 || 2 || 6 || 13
|-
|align=left| [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|Shooting]] || 3 || 8 || 5 || 16
|-
|align=left| [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Wrestling]] || 2 || 3 || 2 || 7
|-
|align=left| [[Diving at the Summer Olympics|Diving]] || 2 || 2 || 3 || 7
|-
|align=left| [[Sailing at the Summer Olympics|Sailing]] || 2 || 2 || 2 || 6
|-
|align=left| [[Weightlifting at the Summer Olympics|Weightlifting]] || 1 || 4 || 6 || 11
|-
|align=left| [[Judo at the Summer Olympics|Judo]] || 1 || 2 || 6 || 9
|-
|align=left| [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Football]] || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3
|-
|align=left| [[Handball at the Summer Olympics|Handball]] || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3
|-
|align=left| [[Volleyball at the Summer Olympics|Volleyball]] || 0 || 2 || 0 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Fencing at the Summer Olympics|Fencing]] || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
! Total !! 153 !! 129 !! 127 !! 409
|}

===Medals by sport (as FRG)===
{| {{MedalTable|type=Sport}}
|-
|align=left| [[Athletics at the Summer Olympics|Athletics]] || 12 || 14 || 17 || 43
|-
|align=left| [[Equestrian at the Summer Olympics|Equestrian]] || 11 || 5 || 9 || 25
|-
|align=left| [[Fencing at the Summer Olympics|Fencing]] || 7 || 8 || 1 || 16
|-
|align=left| [[Cycling at the Summer Olympics|Cycling]] || 4 || 5 || 5 || 14
|-
|align=left| [[Rowing at the Summer Olympics|Rowing]] || 4 || 4 || 6 || 14
|-
|align=left| [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|Shooting]] || 4 || 4 || 3 || 11
|-
|align=left| [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Swimming]] || 3 || 5 || 14 || 22
|-
|align=left| [[Canoeing at the Summer Olympics|Canoeing]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 11
|-
|align=left| [[Sailing at the Summer Olympics|Sailing]] || 2 || 2 || 3 || 7
|-
|align=left| [[Weightlifting at the Summer Olympics|Weightlifting]] || 2 || 2 || 3 || 7
|-
|align=left| [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Wrestling]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 9
|-
|align=left| [[Judo at the Summer Olympics|Judo]] || 1 || 4 || 3 || 8
|-
|align=left| [[Field hockey at the Summer Olympics|Field hockey]] || 1 || 3 || 0 || 4
|-
|align=left| [[Boxing at the Summer Olympics|Boxing]] || 1 || 0 || 5 || 6
|-
|align=left| [[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Tennis]] || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Handball at the Summer Olympics|Handball]] || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1
|-
|align=left| [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Gymnastics]] || 0 || 0 || 2 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Football]] || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
|align=left| [[Water polo at the Summer Olympics|Water polo]] || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
! Total !! 56 !! 67 !! 81 !! 204
|}

===Medals by sport (as EUA)===
{| {{MedalTable|type=Sport}}
|-
|align=left| [[Equestrian at the Summer Olympics|Equestrian]] || 5 || 5 || 4 || 14
|-
|align=left| [[Athletics at the Summer Olympics|Athletics]] || 4 || 18 || 8 || 30
|-
|align=left| [[Canoeing at the Summer Olympics|Canoeing]] || 4 || 5 || 2 || 11
|-
|align=left| [[Rowing at the Summer Olympics|Rowing]] || 4 || 4 || 1 || 9
|-
|align=left| [[Diving at the Summer Olympics|Diving]] || 3 || 1 || 0 || 4
|-
|align=left| [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Swimming]] || 1 || 5 || 6 || 12
|-
|align=left| [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Wrestling]] || 1 || 5 || 3 || 9
|-
|align=left| [[Cycling at the Summer Olympics|Cycling]] || 1 || 4 || 2 || 7
|-
|align=left| [[Boxing at the Summer Olympics|Boxing]] || 1 || 3 || 2 || 6
|-
|align=left| [[Fencing at the Summer Olympics|Fencing]] || 1 || 1 || 2 || 4
|-
|align=left| [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Gymnastics]] || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3
|-
|align=left| [[Sailing at the Summer Olympics|Sailing]] || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3
|-
|align=left| [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|Shooting]] || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Judo at the Summer Olympics|Judo]] || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2
|-
|align=left| [[Field hockey at the Summer Olympics|Field hockey]] || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
|align=left| [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Football]] || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
! Total !! 28 !! 54 !! 36 !! 118
|}


===Division and reunification (1945&ndash;1990)===
{{main|History of Germany since 1945}}

[[Image:Deutschland Besatzungszonen - 1945 1946.svg|thumb|right|upright|Allied occupation zones in 1946.]]

The war resulted in the death of nearly ten million German soldiers and civilians; [[Oder-Neisse line|large territorial losses]]; [[Expulsion of Germans after World War II|the expulsion of about 15 million Germans]] from its former eastern territories and other countries; and the destruction of multiple major cities. The national territory and [[Berlin]] were partitioned by the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] into four military occupation zones. The sectors controlled by [[France]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]] were merged on [[23 May]] [[1949]], to form the ''[[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]''; on [[7 October]] [[1949]], the Soviet Zone established the ''[[East Germany|German Democratic Republic]]''. They were informally known as "[[West Germany]]" and "[[East Germany]]" and the two parts of Berlin as "[[West Berlin]]" and "[[East Berlin]]". The eastern and western countries opted for [[East Berlin]] and [[Bonn]] as their respective capitals. However, West Germany declared the status of its capital Bonn as provisional,<ref name="provisional">Britannica http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9080620/Bonn</ref> in order to emphasize its stance that the two-state solution was an artificial ''status quo'' that was to be overcome one day.

West Germany — established as a liberal parliamentary republic with a "[[social market economy]]" — was allied with the United States, the UK and France. The country eventually came to enjoy prolonged economic growth beginning in the early 1950s ({{lang|de|''[[Wirtschaftswunder]]''}}). West Germany joined [[NATO]] in 1955 and was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]] in 1958. Across the border, East Germany was at first occupied by, and later (May 1955) allied with, the USSR. An authoritarian country with a Soviet-style [[command economy]], but many of its citizens looked to the West for political freedoms and economic prosperity.<ref>Colchester, Nico. [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/504285c4-68b6-11da-bd30-0000779e2340,dwp_uuid=6f876a3c-e19f-11da-bf4c-0000779e2340.html D-mark day dawns] [[Financial Times]]. January 1, 2001. Retrieved 2006, [[December 7|12-07]]</ref> The [[Berlin Wall]], built in 1961 to stop East Germans from escaping to West Germany, became a symbol of the [[Cold War]]. However, tensions between East and West Germany were somewhat reduced in the early 1970s by Chancellor [[Willy Brandt]]'s {{lang|de|''[[Ostpolitik]]''}}, which included the ''de facto'' acceptance of Germany's territorial losses in World War II.

[[Image:Thefalloftheberlinwall1989.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Berlin Wall]] in front of the [[Brandenburg Gate]] shortly after the opening in 1989.]]

In the face of a growing migration of East Germans to West Germany via [[Hungary]] and mass demonstrations during the summer of 1989, East German authorities unexpectedly eased the border restrictions in November, allowing East German citizens to travel to the West. Originally intended as a pressure valve to retain East Germany as a state, the opening of the border actually led to an acceleration of the reform process in East Germany, which finally concluded with the ''[[Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany|Two Plus Four Treaty]]'' a year later on [[12 September]], [[1990]] and [[German reunification]] on [[3 October]] [[1990]]. Under the terms of the treaty, the four occupying powers renounced their rights under the Instrument of Surrender, and Germany regained full [[sovereignty]]. Based on the Bonn-Berlin-Act, adopted by the parliament on [[10 March]] [[1994]], the capital of the unified state was chosen to be Berlin, while Bonn obtained the unique status of a ''Bundesstadt'' (federal city) retaining some federal ministries.<ref name="BBG">WDR http://www.wdr.de/themen/kultur/stichtag/2004/03/10.jhtml Eine "faire Arbeitsteilung"
Vor 10 Jahren: Bundestag beschließt Bonn-Berlin-Gesetz . 10 March 04.</ref> The move of the government was completed in 1999.

Since reunification, Germany has taken a leading role in the [[European Union]] and NATO. Germany sent a peacekeeping force to secure stability in the [[1999 NATO bombing in Yugoslavia|Balkans]] and sent a force of [[Bundeswehr|German troops]] to [[Afghanistan]] as part of a NATO effort to provide [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|security in that country]] after the ousting of the [[Taliban]].<ref name="ARM">Dempsey, Judy. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/31/news/germany.php Germany is planning a Bosnia withdrawal] International Herald Tribune. Oct. 31, 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]]</ref> These deployments were controversial, since after the war, Germany was bound by law to only deploy troops for defence roles. Deployments to foreign territories were understood not to be covered by the defence provision; however, the parliamentary vote on the issue effectively legalised the participation in a peacekeeping context.
{{clear}}

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Germany}}

[[Image:Deutschland topo.png|thumb|upright|right|Altitude levels.]]

The territory of Germany covers {{convert|357021|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, consisting of {{convert|349223|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|7798|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of water. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the 63rd largest in the world. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the [[Alps]] (highest point: the [[Zugspitze]] at {{convert|2962|m|ft|0}}) in the south to the shores of the [[North Sea]] (Nordsee) in the north-west and the [[Baltic Sea]] (Ostsee) in the north-east. Between lie the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: [[Wilstermarsch]] at {{convert|3.54|m|ft|1}} below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major [[river]]s such as the [[Rhine]], [[Danube]] and [[Elbe]].<ref name="CIA">[https://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gm.html Germany] CIA Factbook. November 14, 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[November 29|11-29]].</ref> Because of its central location, Germany shares borders with more European countries than any other country on the continent. Its neighbours are [[Denmark]] in the north, [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]] in the east, [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]] in the south, [[France]] and [[Luxembourg]] in the south-west and [[Belgium]] and the [[Netherlands]] in the north-west.

===Climate===
[[Image:Hintersee.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alps|Alpine]] scenery in [[Bavaria]].]]

Most of Germany has a [[Temperate|temperate seasonal climate]] in which humid westerly winds predominate. The climate is moderated by the [[North Atlantic Current|North Atlantic Drift]], which is the northern extension of the [[Gulf Stream]]. This warmer water affects the areas bordering the North Sea including the peninsula of [[Jutland]] and the area along the Rhine, which flows into the North Sea. Consequently in the north-west and the north, the climate is [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]]; [[Precipitation (meteorology)|rainfall]] occurs year round with a maximum during summer. Winters there are mild and summers tend to be cool, though temperatures can exceed 30&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]] (86&nbsp;°[[Fahrenheit|F]]) for prolonged periods. In the east, the climate is more [[continental climate|continental]]; winters can be very cold, summers can be very warm, and long dry periods are often recorded. Central and southern Germany are transition regions which vary from moderately oceanic to continental. Again, the maximum temperature can exceed 30&nbsp;°C (86&nbsp;°F) in summer.<ref>{{cite book | last = Olson | first = Donald | title = Germany For Dummies, 3rd Edition | publisher = Wiley |date=May 2007 | pages = | url = http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-5361.html | id = ISBN 978-0-470-08956-9 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Germany/Climate/ German Climate and Weather] World Travels. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref>
{{clear}}

===Environment===
[[Image:Windgermany.JPG|thumb|The largest [[wind farm]] and [[solar power]] capacity in the world is installed in Germany. [[Renewable energy]] generated 14% of the country's total electricity consumption in 2007.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10961890 German lessons], The Economist, Retrieved 2008, [[April 29|11-29]].</ref>]]

[[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Germany is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. The territory of Germany can be subdivided into four [[ecoregion]]s: the Atlantic mixed forests, Baltic mixed forests, Central European mixed forests and [[Western European broadleaf forests]].<ref> [http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/ecoregions/maps/index.cfm The Ecoregions] WWF, Retrieved 2008, [[June 05|12-28]].</ref>

Germany is known for its environmental consciousness.<ref> [http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:zXGikuS_5GIJ:www.dzforum.de/downloads/020101311.pdf+germany+%22environmental+consciousness%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&client=news Starting points and focus of environmental communication] German Federal Environmental Foundation, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|12-28]].</ref> Germans consider [[anthropogenic]] causes to be a major factor in [[global warming]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/sep07/BBCClimate_Sep07_rpt.pdf| title = All Countries Need to Take Major Steps on Climate Change: Global Poll| accessdate = 2008-02-11 | author = PIPA| date =2007-09-24| format = PDF| work = BBC World service Poll, carried out by Globescan| publisher = [[Program on International Policy Attitudes]] at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]]}} </ref> The state is committed to the [[Kyoto protocol]] and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, recycling, the use of renewable energy and supports sustainable development on a global level.<ref>[http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/uba-info-presse-e/2004/pe04-056.htm Reinforcing Germany's environmental protection industry] Umweltbundesamt, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref>

The German government has initiated wide ranging emission reduction activities and the country´s overall emissions are falling.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Germany_greenest_country_in_the_world/articleshow/3151766.cms Germany greenest country in the world] Times of India, Retrieved 2008, [[June 22|11-25]]</ref> Nevertheless Germany's [[List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita|carbon dioxide emissions per capita]] is among the highest in the EU but remains significantly lower compared to Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia or the United States.

Emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution. Acid rain, resulting from sulphur dioxide emissions is damaging [[forest]]s. Pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in former eastern Germany have been reduced. The government under Chancellor Schröder announced intent to end the use of nuclear power for producing electricity. Germany is working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive. Germany's last glaciers in Alpine regions is experiencing deglaciation. Natural hazards are river flooding in spring and stormy winds occurring in all regions.

==Government==
{{main|Politics of Germany}}

[[Image:Berlin reichstag CP.jpg|thumb|The [[Reichstag (building)|Reichstag]] is the old and new site of the German parliament.]]

Germany is a [[Federal republic|federal]], [[parliamentary democratic|parliamentary]], [[Representative democracy|representative]] [[Democracy|democratic]] [[republic]]. The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 [[Constitution|constitutional document]] known as the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|''Grundgesetz'']] ([[Basic Law]]). By calling the document ''Grundgesetz'', rather than ''Verfassung'' ([[constitution]]), the authors expressed the intention that it would be replaced by a proper constitution once Germany was reunited as one state. Amendments to the ''Grundgesetz'' generally require a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the [[parliament]]; the articles guaranteeing fundamental rights, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the right to resist attempts to overthrow the constitution are valid in perpetuity and cannot be amended.<ref>[www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gg/art_79.html Article 79 of the ''Grundgesetz''] (German) Bundesministerium der Justiz. Retrieved 2008, [[April 4|12-07]].</ref> Despite the initial intention, the ''Grundgesetz'' remained in effect after the [[German reunification]] in 1990, with only minor amendments.

[[Image:Horst Köhler.jpg|thumb|left|140px|upright|President [[Horst Köhler]].]]

The ''Bundeskanzler'' ([[Chancellor of Germany|Federal Chancellor]])—currently [[Angela Merkel]]—is the [[head of government]] and exercises [[Executive (government)|executive power]], similar to the role of a [[Prime Minister]] in other [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary democracies]]. Federal [[legislative power]] is vested in the parliament consisting of the ''[[Bundestag]]'' (Federal Diet) and ''[[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]]'' (Federal Council), which together form a unique type of legislative body. The ''Bundestag'' is elected through [[direct election]]s, yet abiding [[proportional representation]]. The members of the ''Bundesrat'' represent the governments of the [[States of Germany|sixteen federal states]] and are members of the state cabinets. The respective state governments have the right to appoint and remove their envoys at any time.

The [[President of Germany|''Bundespräsident'']] (President)—currently Horst Köhler—is the [[head of state]], invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the ''[[Bundesversammlung (Germany)|Bundesversammlung]]'' (federal convention), an institution consisting of the members of the ''Bundestag'' and an equal number of state delegates. The second highest official in the [[German order of precedence]] is the ''Bundestagspräsident'' ([[President of the Bundestag|President of the ''Bundestag'']]), who is elected by the ''Bundestag'' and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body. The third-highest official and the [[head of government]] is the Chancellor, who is nominated by the ''Bundespräsident'' after being elected by the ''Bundestag''. The Chancellor can be removed by a constructive [[motion of no confidence]] by the ''Bundestag'', where constructive implies that the ''Bundestag'' simultaneously elects a successor.

Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] and the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany]] although smaller parties, such as the liberal [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] (which has had members in the Bundestag since 1949) and the [[Alliance '90/The Greens]] (which has controlled seats in parliament since 1983) have also played important roles.<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/germany/159.htm Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union] U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2006, [[December 7|12-07]].</ref>

===States===
{{main|States of Germany|List of administrative divisions of Germany}}

Germany comprises [[States of Germany|16 states]] (''Länder'', ''Bundesländer''), which are further subdivided into 439 [[Districts of Germany|districts]] (''Kreise'') and cities (''kreisfreie Städte'') (2004).

{| style="background:transparent;" cellspacing="2px"
|
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:left"
!width="140px"| [[States of Germany|State]] !!width="80px"| [[Capital]] !!width="80px"| [[Area]] (&nbsp;km²)!!width="80px"| [[Population]] </tr>
|-
| [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Stuttgart]] || style="text-align:right"|35,752|| style="text-align:right"|10,717,000
|-
| [[Bavaria]] ''(Bayern) '' || [[Munich]] ''(München) '' || style="text-align:right"|70,549|| style="text-align:right"|12,444,000
|-
| [[Berlin]] || [[Berlin]] ||style="text-align:right"|892|| style="text-align:right"|3,400,000
|-
| [[Brandenburg]] || [[Potsdam]] || style="text-align:right"|29,477|| style="text-align:right"|2,568,000
|-
| [[Bremen (state)|Bremen]] || [[Bremen]] || style="text-align:right"|404|| style="text-align:right"|663,000
|-
| [[Hamburg]] || [[Hamburg]] ||style="text-align:right"|755|| style="text-align:right"|1,735,000
|-
| [[Hesse]] ''(Hessen) '' || [[Wiesbaden]] || style="text-align:right"|21,115|| style="text-align:right"|6,098,000
|-
| [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Schwerin]] || style="text-align:right"|23,174|| style="text-align:right"|1,720,000
|-
| [[Lower Saxony]] ''(Niedersachsen) '' || [[Hanover]] ''(Hannover) '' || style="text-align:right"|47,618|| style="text-align:right"|8,001,000
|-
| [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] ''(Nordrhein-Westfalen) '' || [[Düsseldorf]] || style="text-align:right"|34,043|| style="text-align:right"|18,075,000
|-
| [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] ''(Rheinland-Pfalz) '' || [[Mainz]] || style="text-align:right"|19,847|| style="text-align:right"|4,061,000
|-
| [[Saarland]] || [[Saarbrücken]] || style="text-align:right"|2,569|| style="text-align:right"|1,056,000
|-
| [[Saxony]] ''(Sachsen) '' || [[Dresden]] || style="text-align:right"|18,416|| style="text-align:right"|4,296,000
|-
| [[Saxony-Anhalt]] ''(Sachsen-Anhalt) '' || [[Magdeburg]] || style="text-align:right"|20,445|| style="text-align:right"|2,494,000
|-
| [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Kiel]] || style="text-align:right"|15,763|| style="text-align:right"|2,829,000
|-
| [[Thuringia]] ''(Thüringen) '' || [[Erfurt]] || style="text-align:right"|16,172|| style="text-align:right"|2,355,000
|}
|{{GermanyImagemap2}}
|}

==Foreign relations==
{{main|Foreign relations of Germany}}

[[Image:Rometreaty.jpg|thumb|Germany is a founding member of the [[European community|EC]] in 1957, which became the [[European Union]] in 1993. It maintains close relations with its neighbours to coordinate EU politics.]]

Germany has played a leading role in the [[European Union]] since its inception and has maintained a [[Franco-German cooperation|strong alliance with France]] since the end of World War II. The alliance was especially close in the late 1980s and early 1990s under the leadership of [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democrat]] [[Helmut Kohl]] and [[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist]] [[François Mitterrand]]. Germany is at the forefront of European states seeking to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European political, defence and security apparatus.<ref> [http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/anglais/speeches_and_documents/2004/declaration_by_the_franco-german_defence_and_security_council.1096.html Declaration by the Franco-German Defence and Security Council] Elysee.fr May 13, 3004. Retrieved 2006, [[December 3|12-03]].</ref>

Since its establishment on [[23 May]] [[1949]], the Federal Republic of Germany kept a notably low profile in international relations, because of both its recent history and its occupation by foreign powers.<ref>Glaab, Manuela.&nbsp;[http://en.internationalepolitik.de/archiv/2003/spring2003/german-foreign-policy.html German Foreign Policy: Book Review] Internationale Politik. Spring 2003. Retrieved 2007, [[January 3|01-03]].</ref> During the Cold War, Germany's partition by the [[Iron Curtain]] made it a symbol of East-West tensions and a political battleground in Europe. However, Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik was a key factor in the ''[[détente]]'' of the 1970s.<ref>Harrison, Hope. {{PDFlink|[http://www.ghi-dc.org/bulletinS04_supp/34s.5.pdf ''The Berlin Wall, Ostpolitik and Détente]|91.1&nbsp;KB}} GERMAN HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, WASHINGTON, DC, BULLETIN SUPPLEMENT 1, 2004, "AMERICAN DÉTENTE AND GERMAN OSTPOLITIK, 1969–1972".</ref> In 1999 Chancellor [[Gerhard Schröder]]'s government defined a new basis for German foreign policy by taking a full part in the decisions surrounding the [[Kosovo War|NATO war against Yugoslavia]] and by sending German troops into combat for the first time since World War II.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1741310,00.html Germany's New Face Abroad] [[Deutsche Welle]]. Oct. 14, 2005. Retrieved 2006, [[December 3|12-03]].</ref>

[[Image:33rdG8Leaders.jpg|thumb|left|Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]] hosting the [[G8]] summit in [[Heiligendamm]].]]

Germany and the [[United States]] are close allies.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3997.htm Background Note: Germany] U.S. Department of State. July 6, 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[December 3|12-03]].</ref> The 1948 [[Marshall Plan]], U.S. support ([[JCS 1067]]) during the rebuilding process ([[Industrial plans for Germany]]) after World War II, as well as fraternisation ([[War children#American soldiers children in Germany and Austria|War children]]) and food support ([[Eisenhower and German POWs#American food policy in Germany shortly after the war|food policy]]) and strong cultural ties have crafted a strong bond between the two countries, although Schröder's very vocal opposition to the [[Iraq War]] suggested the end of [[Atlanticism]] and a relative cooling of German-American relations.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7141311 ''Ready for a Bush hug?''], [[The Economist]], July 6 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[December 31|12-31]].</ref> The two countries are also economically interdependent; 8.8% of German exports are U.S.-bound and 6.6% of German imports originate from the U.S.<ref name="econ_factsheet_may2006">{{PDFlink|[http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/img/assets/9336/econ_factsheet_may2006.pdf U.S.-German Economic Relations Factsheet]|32.8&nbsp;KB}} U.S. Embassy in Berlin. May 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[December 3|12-03]].</ref> The other way around, 8.8% of U.S. exports ship to Germany and 9.8% of U.S. imports come from Germany.<ref name="econ_factsheet_may2006"/> Other signs of the close ties include the continuing position of German-Americans as the largest ethnic group in the U.S.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/census_2000/001870.html German Still Most Frequently Reported Ancestry] [[U.S. Census Bureau]] June 30, 2004. Retrieved 2006, [[December 3|12-03]]</ref> and the status of [[Ramstein Air Base]] (near [[Kaiserslautern]]) as the largest U.S. military community outside the U.S.<ref>[http://benefits.military.com/misc/installations/Base_Content.jsp?id=1675 Kaiserslautern, Germany Overview] U.S. Military. Retrieved 2006, [[December 3|12-03]].</ref>
{{clear}}

===Development aid===
The development policy of the Federal Republic of Germany is an independent area of German foreign policy. It is formulated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and carried out by the implementing organisations. The German government sees development policy as a joint responsibility of the international community.<ref> [http://www.bmz.de/en/index.html Aims of German development policy] Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development April 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008, [[April 7|12-07]].</ref>

Germany's official [[development assistance|development aid]] and [[humanitarian aid]] for 2007 amounted to 8.96 billion euros (12.26 billion dollars), an increase of 5.9 per cent from 2006. It has become the world's second biggest aid donor after the United States.<ref> [http://www.young-germany.de/657.html?&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1499&cHash=7fbf309b04 Germany is a leader in development funding] www.young-germany.de April 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008, [[April 17|12-07]].</ref> Germany spent 0.37 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on development, which is below the government's target of increasing aid to 0.51 per cent of GDP by 2010. The international target of 0.7% of GNP would have not reached either.

===Military===
{{main|Bundeswehr}}

[[Image:Fregatte Mecklenburg-Vorpommern F218.jpg|right|thumb|The ''Mecklenburg-Vorpommern'' is participating in a [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL II]] operation off the coast of Lebanon.]]

Germany's military, the ''[[Bundeswehr]]'', is a defence force with ''[[German Army|Heer]]'' (Army), ''[[German Navy|Marine]]'' (Navy), ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' (Air Force), [[Central Medical Services|''Zentraler Sanitätsdienst'']] (Central Medical Services) and ''[[Streitkräftebasis]]'' (Joint Support Service) branches. Military Service is compulsory for men at the age of 18, and conscripts serve nine-month tours of duty. Conscientious objectors may instead opt for an equal length of ''[[Zivildienst]]'' (roughly translated as civilian service), or a six year commitment to (voluntary) emergency services like a [[Volunteer fire department|fire department]], the [[German Red Cross|Red Cross]] or the [[Technisches Hilfswerk|THW]]. In 2003, military spending constituted 1.5% of the country's [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]].<ref name="CIA"/> In peacetime, the Bundeswehr is commanded by the Minister of Defence, currently [[Franz Josef Jung]]. If Germany went to war, which according to the constitution is allowed only for defensive purposes, the Chancellor would become commander in chief of the ''Bundeswehr''.<ref>[http://www.bundestag.de/parlament/funktion/gesetze/grundgesetz/gg_10a.html Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland] Bundestag.de Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref>

As of October 2006, the German military had almost 9,000 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of various international peacekeeping forces, including 1,180 troops stationed in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia-Herzegovina]]; 2,844 Bundeswehr soldiers in [[Kosovo]]; 750 soldiers stationed as a part of [[EUFOR]] in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]; and 2,800 German troops in the NATO-led [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] force in [[Afghanistan]]. As of February 2007, Germany had about 3,000 ISAF troops in Afghanistan, the third largest contingent after the United States (14,000) and the United Kingdom (5,200).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.hq.nato.int/ISAF/media/pdf/placemat_isaf.pdf |title=NATO International Security Assistance Force Placemat|accessdate=2007-02-12 |date=Current as of 2007-02-07 |format=PDF}}</ref>'''

==Law==
{{main|Judiciary of Germany}}

[[Image:Karlsruhe bundesverfassungsgericht.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany]] in [[Karlsruhe]].]]

The [[Judiciary of Germany]] is independent of the executive and the legislative branches. Germany has a [[civil law (legal system)|civil or statute law system]] that is based on [[Roman law]] with some references to [[Germanic law]]. The ''[[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany|Bundesverfassungsgericht]]'' (Federal Constitutional Court) , located in Karlsruhe, is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of [[judicial review]].<ref>[http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/en/index.html Federal Constitutional Court], Bundesverfassungsgericht.de, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> It acts as the highest legal authority and ensures that legislative and judicial practice conforms to the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]] (Basic Law). It acts independently of the other state bodies, but cannot act on its own behalf.

[[Image:Grundgesetz cover.jpg|thumb|left|[[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]], 1949.]]

Germany's supreme court system, called ''Oberste Gerichtshöfe des Bundes'', is specialized. For civil and criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the [[Federal Court of Justice of Germany|Federal Court of Justice]], located in [[Karlsruhe]] and [[Leipzig]]. The courtroom style is [[Inquisitorial system|inquisitorial]]. Other Federal Courts are the [[Federal Labor Court of Germany|Federal Labour Court]] in [[Erfurt]], the [[Bundessozialgericht|Federal Social Court]] in [[Kassel]], the [[Federal Finance Court of Germany|Federal Finance Court]] in [[Munich]] and the [[Federal Administrative Court of Germany|Federal Administrative Court]] in Leipzig.

[[Criminal law]] and [[private law]] are codified on the national level in the ''[[Strafgesetzbuch]]'' and the ''[[Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch]]'' respectively. The German penal system is aimed towards rehabilitation of the criminal; its secondary goal is the protection of the general public.<ref>[http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html § 2, StVllzg], gesetze-im-internet.de, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> To achieve the latter, a convicted criminal can be put in preventive detention (''Sicherheitsverwahrung'') in addition to the regular sentence if he is considered to be a threat to the general public. The ''[[Völkerstrafgesetzbuch]]'' regulates the consequences of [[crimes against humanity]], [[genocide]] and [[war crimes]]. It gives German courts [[universal jurisdiction]] if prosecution by a court of the country where the crime was committed, or by an international court, is not possible.

===State level===
{{main|Law enforcement in Germany}}

[[Image:HH Polizeihauptmeister MZ.jpg|thumb|upright|German [[Landespolizei|state police]] officer in Hamburg.]]

Legislative power is divided between the federation and the state level. The Basic Law presumes that all legislative power remains at the state level unless otherwise designated by the Basic Law itself. In some areas, federal and state level have concurrent legislative power. In such cases, the federate level has power to legislation "if and to the extent that the establishment of equal living conditions throughout the federal territory or the maintenance of legal or economic unity renders federal regulation necessary in the national interest" (Art. 72 Basic Law).

Any federal law overrides state law if the legislative power lies at the federal level. A famous example is the Hessian permission of the death penalty that goes against the ban of capital punishment by the Basic Law, rendering the Hessian provision invalid. The ''[[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]]'' is the federal organ through which the states participate in national legislation. State participation in federal legislation is necessary if the law falls within the area of concurrent legislative power, requires states to administer federal regulations, or if designated so by the Basic Law. Every state with the exception of [[Schleswig-Holstein]] (whose constitutional jurisdiction is exercised by the ''Bundesverfassungsgericht'' in [[procuration]]) has its own constitutional courts. The ''[[Amtsgericht]]e'', ''Landgerichte'' and ''Oberlandesgerichte'' are state courts of [[general jurisdiction]]. They are competent whether the action is based on federal or state law.

Many of the fundamental matters in [[administrative law]] remain in the jurisdiction of the states, though most states base their own laws in that area on the 1976 ''Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz'' (Administrative Proceedings Act) in important points of administrative law. The ''Oberverwaltungsgerichte'' are the highest levels in administrative jurisdiction concerning the state administrations, unless the question of law concerns federal law or state law identical to federal law. In such cases, final appeal to the Federal Administrative Court is possible.

{{clear}}

==Demographics==
{{main|Germans|Demographics of Germany|Social issues in Germany}}

[[Image:Cityscapeberlin2006.JPG|thumb|right|[[Berlin]] is the largest city with a population of 3.4 million people.]]

With over 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union. However, its [[Total fertility rate|fertility rate]] of 1.39 children per mother is one of the lowest in the world,<ref name="CIA"/> and the federal statistics office estimates the population will shrink to between 69 and 74 million by 2050 (69 million assuming a net migration of +100,000 per year; 74 million assuming a net migration of +200,000 per year).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/Internet/DE/Presse/pm/2006/11/PD06__464__12421,templateId=renderPrint.psml|title=Im Jahr 2050 doppelt so viele 60-Jährige wie Neugeborene|author=[[Federal Statistical Office of Germany|Destatis]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}} {{de_icon}}</ref> Germany has a number of larger cities, the most populous being [[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]], [[Munich]], [[Cologne]], [[Frankfurt]] and [[Stuttgart]]. By far the largest [[conurbation]] is the [[Rhine-Ruhr]] region, including [[Düsseldorf]] (the capital of [[NRW]]) and the cities of [[Cologne]], [[Essen]], [[Dortmund]], [[Duisburg]], and [[Bochum]].

[[Image:Population of German territories 1800 - 2000.JPG|thumb|left|Population of German territories 1800 - 2000 and immigrant population from 1975 - 2000.]]

As of December 2004, about seven million foreign citizens were registered in Germany, and 19% of the country's residents were of foreign or partially foreign descent. The young are more likely to be of foreign descent than the old. 30% of Germans aged 15 years and younger have at least one parent born abroad. In the big cities 60% of children aged 5 years and younger have at least one parent born abroad.<ref>BiBB: [http://www.good-practice.de/zielgruppen_beitrag3533.php Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund - neue Definition, alte Probleme] retrieved 25 of May 2008</ref> The largest group (2.3 million)<ref>Bernstein, Richard. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/29/international/europe/29letter1.html?ex=1301288400&en=f374094bb24aa621&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss A Quiz for Would-Be Citizens Tests Germans' Attitudes] New York Times. March 29, 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref> is from [[Turkey]], and a majority of the rest are from European states such as [[Italy]], [[Serbia]], [[Greece]], [[Poland]], and [[Croatia]].<ref>[http://www.destatis.de/basis/e/bevoe/bevoetab10.htm Foreign population on 31 December 2004 by country of origin] Federal Statistical Office Germany January 24, 2006. Retrieved 2007, [[January 1|01-01]].</ref> The [[United Nations Population Fund]] lists Germany as host to the [[List of countries by immigrant population|third-highest number of international migrants worldwide]], about 5% or 10 million of all 191 million migrants, or about 12% of the population of Germany.<ref>[http://www.unfpa.org/publications/detail.cfm?ID=294&filterListType= State of World Population 2006] United Nations Population Fund. 2006. Retrieved 2007, [[January 1|01-01]].</ref> As a consequence of [[Immigration to Germany|restrictions]] of Germany's formerly rather unrestricted laws on [[right of asylum|asylum]] and immigration, the number of immigrants seeking asylum or claiming German ethnicity (mostly from the former Soviet Union) has been declining steadily since 2000.<ref>[http://www.destatis.de/presse/deutsch/pm2006/p2690025.htm ''Erstmals seit 1990 weniger als 600 000 Ausländer zugezogen''], German Federal Statistics Bureau (Statistiches Bundesamt Deutschland) , July 6 2006. Retrieved on 2007, [[January 1|01-01]]. {{de icon}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Germany}}

[[Image:Colognecathedral.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Cologne Cathedral]] at the [[Rhine]] river is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].]]

[[Christianity]] is the largest religious denomination in Germany with 53 million adherents (64%).<ref>[http://www.ekd.de/statistik/mitglieder.html Christen in Deutschland 2005](German), EKD, Retrieved 2007, November 11-25.</ref> The second largest religion is [[Islam]] with 3.3 million adherents (4%) followed by [[Buddhism]] and [[Judaism]], both with around 200,000 adherents (ca. 0.25%). [[Hinduism]] has some 90,000 adherents (0.1%). All other religious communities in Germany have fewer than 50,000 (or less than 0.05%) adherents. About 24.4 million Germans (29.6%) have [[irreligion|no registered religious denomination]].

[[Protestantism]] is concentrated in the north and east and [[Roman Catholicism in Germany|Roman Catholicism]] is concentrated in the south and west. [[Religion in Germany|Both denominations comprise]] about 31% of the population each. The current [[Pope]], [[Benedict XVI]], was born in [[Bavaria]]. [[irreligion|Non-religious]] people, including [[Atheism|atheists]] and [[Agnosticism|agnostics]] amount to 29.6% of the population, and are especially numerous in the former [[German Democratic Republic|East Germany]] and major metropolitan areas.<ref>[http://www.remid.de/remid_info_zahlen.htm Religionen in Deutschland: Mitgliederzahlen] Religiosenwissenschaftlicher Medien- und Informationsdienst. November 4, 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]]. {{de icon}}</ref>

Of the 3.3 million [[Muslim]]s most are [[Sunni Islam|Sunnis]] and [[Alevites]] from [[Turkey]], but there are a small number of [[Shia Islam|Shiites]].<ref>[http://www.euro-islam.info/pages/germany.html Germany] Euro-Islam.info. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref> 1.7% of the country's overall population declares themselves [[Orthodox Christians]], [[Serbs]] and [[Greeks]] being the most numerous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ekd.de/statistik/mitglieder.html|title=www.ekd.de/statistik/mitglieder.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Germany has Western Europe's third-largest [[History of the Jews in Germany|Jewish population]].<ref>Blake, Mariah. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1110/p25s02-woeu.html In Nazi cradle, Germany marks Jewish renaissance] [[Christian Science Monitor]]. November 10,2006. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref> In 2004, twice as many Jews from former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] republics settled in Germany as in [[Israel]], bringing the total Jewish population to more than 200,000, compared to 30,000 prior to [[German reunification]]. Large cities with significant Jewish populations include [[Berlin]], [[Frankfurt]] and [[Munich]].<ref>[http://www.eurojewcong.org/ejc/news.php?id_article=81 The Jewish Community of Germany] European Jewish Congress. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref> Around 250,000 active [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] live in Germany; 50% of them are Asian immigrants.<ref>[[Die Zeit]] 12/07, page 13</ref>

According to the [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]] 2005, 47% of German citizens agreed with the statement "I believe there is a God", whereas 25% agreed with "I believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% said "I do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 (page 11)|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref>

===Languages===
{{main|German language}}

[[Image:Knowledge German EU map.png|thumb|Knowledge of German in the European Union and some other European countries.]]

German is the official and predominantly spoken language in Germany.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages"/> It is one of 23 official languages in the European Union, and one of the three [[working language]]s of the [[European Commission]], along with English and French. Recognized native minority languages in Germany are [[Danish language|Danish]], [[Sorbian languages|Sorbian]], [[Romany language|Romany]] and [[Frisian languages|Frisian]]. They are officially protected by the [[ECRML]]. Most used immigrant languages are [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Polish language|Polish]], the [[Balkan languages]] and [[Russian language|Russian]].

The standard German is a [[West Germanic languages|West Germanic language]] and is closely related to and classified alongside [[English language|English]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and the [[Frisian languages]]. To a lesser extent, it is also related to the [[East Germanic languages|East]] (extinct) and [[North Germanic languages]]. Most German vocabulary is derived from the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.<ref name="Many tongues, one family">{{cite web|title=Many tongues, one family. Languages in the European Union|publisher=[[Europa (web portal)]] |author=[[European Commission]] |date=2004|url=http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/45/en.pdf|format=PDF |accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> Significant minorities of words derived from [[Latin]], [[Greek language|Greek]], a smaller amount from [[French language|French]], and most recently English (known as [[Denglisch]]). German is written using the Latin alphabet. In addition to the 26 standard letters, German has three vowels with [[Umlaut (diacritic)|Umlaut]], namely ä, ö and ü, as well as the [[Eszett]] or ''scharfes S'' (''sharp s'') which is written "ß" or alternatively " ss ".

German [[dialect]]s are distinguished from [[variety (linguistics)|varieties]] of [[standard German]]. The German dialects are the traditional local varieties and are traced back to the different German tribes. Many of them are not easily understandable to someone who knows only standard German, since they often differ from standard German in [[lexicon]], [[phonology]] and [[syntax]].

Around the world, German is spoken by approximately 100 million [[First language|native speakers]] and also about 80 million non-native speakers.<ref name=natgeo2006>{{cite book
 | authorlink = National Geographic
 | title = National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World
 | publisher = R.R Donnelley & Sons Company
 | date = 2006
 | month = April
 | location = Willard, Ohio
 | pages = 257-270
|isbn = Regular:0-7922-3662-9, 978-0-7922-3662-7. Deluxe:0-7922-7976-X, 978-0-7922-7976-1 }}</ref> German is the main language of about 90 million people (18%) in the EU. 67% of the German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language, 27% in at least two languages other than their own.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages">{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Survey)|publisher=[[Europa (web portal)]] |author=[[European Commission]]|date=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf| format=PDF |accessdate=2007-02-03}}<br />{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary)|publisher=[[Europa (web portal)]] |author=[[European Commission]]|date=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref>

==Economy==
===Solar Power===
Germany’s solar power plants produced a record 22 gigawatts of energy on a Friday in May 2012, equivalent to the output of 20 nuclear plants. The country is already a world-leader in solar power and hopes to be free of nuclear energy by 2022. 

{{main|Economy of Germany}}

[[Image:Frankfurt am Main Germany.jpg|thumb|right|[[Frankfurt]] is a major financial centre and a global aviation hub.]]

Germany is the largest national economy in [[Europe]], the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|third largest by nominal GDP]]
in the world, and ranked [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth by GDP (PPP)]] .<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html Rank Order - GDP (purchasing power parity)] CIA Factbook 2005. Retrieved 2006, [[December 31|12-31]].</ref> Growth in 2007 was 2.4% and is predicted to retain this level in the following years.<ref name="Deutsche Welle, German economic upswing in 2007">{{cite web |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2299566,00.html |title=Deutsche Welle, German economic upswing in 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> Since the age of [[industrialisation]] the country has been motor, innovator and beneficiary of an ever more globalized economy. The export of goods "Made in Germany" is one of the main factors of the country's wealth. Germany is the [[List of countries by exports|world's top exporter]] with $1.133 trillion exported in 2006 ([[Eurozone]] countries are included) and generates a [[trade surplus]] of €165 billion .<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4692638.stm German trade surplus hits record] BBC, . Retrieved 2007, [[January 3|01-03]].</ref> The [[Tertiary sector of industry|service sector]] contributes around 70% to the total GDP, the industry 29.1% and agriculture 0.9%. Most of the country's products are in engineering, especially in automobiles, machinery, metals, and chemical goods.<ref name="CIA"/> Germany is the leading producer of wind turbines and solar power technology in the world. The largest, annual, international trade fairs and congresses are held in several German cities such as Hanover, Frankfurt and Berlin.<ref>[http://www.german-renewable-energy.com/Renewables/Navigation/Englisch/wind-power.html Wind Power] Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Germany) Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref>

Among the world's largest stock market signed companies measured by [[revenue]], the [[Fortune Global 500]], 37 companies are headquartered in Germany. The ten biggest are [[Daimler AG|Daimler]], [[Volkswagen]], [[Allianz]] (the most profitable company), [[Siemens AG|Siemens]], [[Deutsche Bank]] (2nd most profitable company), [[E.ON]], [[Deutsche Post]], [[Deutsche Telekom]], [[Metro AG|Metro]] and [[BASF]].<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2007/countries/Germany.html Global 500 Germany], CNN Money, Retrieved 2007, [[November 26|11-26]].</ref> Among the largest employers are also [[Deutsche Post]], [[Robert Bosch]] and [[Edeka]].<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2007/performers/companies/biggest_employers/index.html Global 500 Biggest Employers], CNN Money, Retrieved 2007, [[November 26|11-26]].</ref> Well known global brands are [[Mercedes Benz]], [[SAP AG|SAP]], [[BMW]], [[adidas]], [[Audi]], [[Porsche]] and [[Nivea]].<ref>[http://bwnt.businessweek.com/brand/2006/ The 100 Top Brands 2006], Businessweek, Retrieved 2007, [[November 26|11-26]].</ref>

[[Image:S-KlasseW221.jpg|thumb|left|Germany was the world's leading exporter of goods in 2007.]]

Germany is a strong advocate of closer European economic and political integration, and its commercial policies are increasingly determined by agreements among [[European Union]] (EU) members and EU [[single market]] legislation. Germany uses the common European currency, the [[euro]], and its monetary policy is set by the [[European Central Bank]] in Frankfurt.
After the [[German reunification]] in 1990, the [[standard of living]] and annual income remains significantly higher in the former West German states.<ref name="FR">Berg, S., Winter, S., Wassermann, A. [http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,373639,00.html The Price of a Failed Reunification] Spiegel Online International. Sep. 5, 2005. Retrieved 2006, [[November 28|11-28]].</ref> The modernisation and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a long-term process scheduled to the year 2019, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $80 billion. The overall unemployment rate has consistently fallen since 2005 and reached a 15-year low in June 2008 with 7.5%.<ref>[http://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/arbeitslosenzahlen10.html Arbeitslosenzahl unter 3,2 Millionen gesunken](German) Tagesschau, . Retrieved 2008, [[July 1|07-01]].</ref> The percentage is ranging from 6.2% in former Western Germany to 12.7% in former Eastern Germany. The former government of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder launched a comprehensive set of reforms of labour market and welfare-related institutions. The current government runs a restrictive [[fiscal policy]] and has cut regular jobs in the [[public sector]] aiming for a balanced federal budget in 2008.<ref>[http://www.uni-kiel.de/ifw/forschung/prognose/2006/3_06_deu_e.htm The German Economy is at the Cyclical Peak] Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Retrieved 2006, [[November 28|11-28]].</ref><ref>[http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1188910922.02/ Germany could balance budget in 2008: finance minister] Eubusiness. Retrieved 2006, [[November 28|11-28]].</ref>

===Infrastructure===
{{main|Energy in Germany|Transport in Germany}}

[[Image:Two Ships-Hamburg.jpg|right|thumb|[[Hamburg]] Harbour is the second-largest port city in [[Europe]] and ninth-largest port in the world.]]

In 2002 Germany was the world's fifth largest consumer of energy, and two-thirds of its primary energy was imported. In the same year, Germany was Europe's largest consumer of electricity; electricity consumption that year totalled 512.9 billion kilowatt-hours.
Government policy emphasizes conservation and the development of [[renewable energy]] sources, such as solar, [[Wind power|wind]], [[biomass]], hydro, and [[Geothermal power|geothermal]]. As a result of energy-saving measures, [[energy efficiency]] (the amount of energy required to produce a unit of gross domestic product) has been improving since the beginning of the 1970s. The government has set the goal of meeting half the country's energy demands from renewable sources by 2050. In 2000 the government and the [[Nuclear power in Germany|German nuclear power industry]] agreed to phase out all [[nuclear power plant]]s by 2021.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4295389.stm Germany split over green energy], BBC, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> However, renewable energy is playing a more modest role in energy consumption. In 2006 energy consumption was met by the following sources: oil (35.7%) , coal, including lignite (23.9%) , natural gas (22.8%) , nuclear (12.6%) , hydro and wind power (1.3%) , and other (3.7%).

[[Image:ICE3-Einfahrt-Dortmund.jpg|thumb|left|The ICE 3 trainset.]]

By its central position in Europe, Germany is an important transportation hub. This is reflected in its dense and modern transportation networks. Probably most famous is the extensive motorway ([[Autobahn]]) network that ranks worldwide third largest in its total length and features lack of blanket speed limits on the majority of routes.

Germany has established a polycentric network of [[high-speed rail|high-speed trains]]. The [[InterCityExpress]] or ''ICE'' is predominantly serving major German cities and destinations in neighbouring countries. The train speed varies from 160&nbsp;km/h to 300&nbsp;km/h and is the most advanced service category of the [[Deutsche Bahn]]. Connections are offered in either 30-minute, hourly or bi-hourly intervals.<ref>[http://www.db.de/site/bahn/de/unternehmen/investor__relations/finanzberichte/geschaeftsbericht/geschaeftsbericht__2006.html Geschäftsbericht 2006 der Deutschen Bahn AG], Deutsche Bahn, Retrieved 2007, [[October 19]].</ref>
{{-}}

==Science==
{{main|Science and technology in Germany}}

[[Image:Max-Planck-und-Albert-Einstein.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[Max Planck]] presents [[Albert Einstein]] with the Max-Planck medal in 1929.]]

Germany has been the home of some of the most prominent researchers in various scientific fields.<ref>[http://www.campus-germany.de/english/2.60.260.html Back to the Future: Germany - A Country of Research] German Academic Exchange Service (2005, [[February 23|02-23]]). Retrieved 2006, [[December 8|12-08]].</ref> The [[Nobel Prize]] has been awarded to [[Nobel laureates by country|100 German laureates]].<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/ Nobel Prize], nobelprize.org, Retrieved 2008, [[July 5]].</ref> The work of [[Albert Einstein]] and [[Max Planck]] was crucial to the foundation of modern [[physics]], which [[Werner Heisenberg]] and [[Max Born]] developed further.<ref>Roberts, J. M. ''The New Penguin History of the World'', Penguin History, 2002. Pg. 1014. ISBN 0141007230.</ref> They were preceded by physicists such as [[Hermann von Helmholtz]], [[Joseph von Fraunhofer]], and [[Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit]]. [[Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen]] discovered [[X-ray]]s, an accomplishment that made him the first winner of the [[Nobel Prize in Physics]] in 1901.<ref>[http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=226611 The Alfred B. Nobel Prize Winners, 1901–2003] History Channel from ''The World Almanac and Book of Facts'' 2006. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref> In Germany and many other countries X-rays are called "Röntgenstrahlen" (Röntgen-rays). [[Heinrich Rudolf Hertz]]'s work in the domain of [[electromagnetic radiation]] was pivotal to the development of modern [[telecommunication]].<ref>[http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/HistoricalFigures.html Historical figures in telecommunications.] International Telecommunication Union. January 14, 2004. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref> Through his construction of the first laboratory at the [[University of Leipzig]] in 1879, [[Wilhelm Wundt]] is credited with the establishment of [[psychology]] as an independent empirical science.<ref>Kim, Alan. [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wilhelm-wundt/ Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt] Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Jun. 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref> [[Alexander von Humboldt]]'s work as a natural scientist and explorer was foundational to [[biogeography]].<ref>[http://www.eaglehill.us/ahumb.html The Natural History Legacy of Alexander von Humboldt (1769 to 1859)], Humboldt Field Research Institute and Eagle Hill Foundation. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref>

[[Image:Cleanroom1.jpg|thumb|left|Extensive [[Cleanroom]] complex for Microelectronic Manufacturing in [[Stuttgart]].]]

Numerous significant [[mathematician]]s were born in Germany, including [[Carl Friedrich Gauss]], [[David Hilbert]], [[Bernhard Riemann]], [[Gottfried Leibniz]], [[Karl Weierstrass]] and [[Hermann Weyl]]. Germany has been the home of many famous [[inventor]]s and [[engineer]]s, such as [[Johannes Gutenberg]], who is credited with the invention of [[movable type]] [[printing]] in Europe; [[Hans Geiger]], the creator of the [[Geiger counter]]; and [[Konrad Zuse]], who built the first fully automatic digital computer.<ref>Horst, Zuse. [http://www.epemag.com/zuse/ The Life and Work of Konrad Zuse] Everyday Practical Electronics (EPE) Online. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref> German inventors, engineers and industrialists such as [[Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin]], [[Otto Lilienthal]], [[Gottlieb Daimler]], [[Rudolf Diesel]], [[Hugo Junkers]] and [[Karl Benz]] helped shape modern automotive and air transportation technology.<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761576902_5/Automobile.html Automobile.] Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref><ref>[http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Lighter_than_air/zeppelin/LTA8.htm The Zeppelin] U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref>

Important research institutions in Germany are the [[Max Planck Society]], the [[Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft]] and the [[Fraunhofer Society]]. They are independently or externally connected to the university system and contribute to a considerable extent to the scientific output. The prestigious award [[Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize]] is granted to ten scientists and academics every year. With a maximum of €2.5 million per award it is one of highest endowed research prizes in the world.<ref>[http://www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/scientific_prizes/gw_leibniz_prize.html Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize], DFG, Accessed March 12, 2007</ref>

===Education===
{{main|Education in Germany}}

[[Image:Kindergartenfrankfurt.jpg|thumb|Kindergarten in [[Hesse]].]]

Responsibility for educational oversight in Germany lies primarily with the [[States of Germany|federal states]] individually whilst the government only has a minor role.<!--Kulturhoheit--> Optional [[kindergarten]] education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which school attendance is [[compulsory education|compulsory]] for at least nine years. [[Primary education]] usually lasts for four years and public schools are not stratified at this stage.<ref name="ED">{{PDFlink|[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Germany.pdf COUNTRY PROFILE: GERMANY]|177&nbsp;KB}} U.S. Library of Congress. Dec. 2005. Retrieved 2006, [[December 4|12-04]].</ref> In contrast, [[secondary education]] includes four types of schools based on a pupil's ability as determined by teacher recommendations: the ''[[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]]'' includes the most gifted children and prepares students for university studies and attendance lasts eight or nine years depending on the state; the ''[[Realschule]]'' has a broader range of emphasis for intermediary students and lasts six years; the ''[[Hauptschule]]'' prepares pupils for vocational education, and the ''[[Comprehensive school|Gesamtschule]]'' or comprehensive school combines the three approaches.<ref name="ED"/>

[[Image:AssemblyHall Heidelberg.jpg|thumb|upright||left|The [[University of Heidelberg]] was established in 1386.]]

The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], assesses the skills of 15-year olds in OECD countries and a number of partner countries. In 2006, German schoolchildren improved their position on previous years, being ranked (statistically) significantly above average (rank 13) in science skills and statistically not significantly above or below average on mathematical skills (rank 20) and reading skills (rank 18).<ref name="PISAex">{{cite book | author = Programme for International Student Assessment | authorlink = Programme for International Student Assessment | title = Executive Summary, PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Volume 1: Analysis | url= http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/13/39725224.pdf| accessdate = 2007-12-15 | year = 2007 | publisher = OECD | location = France | isbn = 978-92-64-04000-7 }}</ref><ref name="PISA1">{{cite book | author = Programme for International Student Assessment | authorlink = Programme for International Student Assessment | title = PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Volume 1: Analysis | url =http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/30/17/39703267.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-12-15 | year = 2007 | publisher = OECD | location = France | isbn = 978-92-64-04000-7 }}</ref> The socio-economic gradient was very high in Germany, the pupils' performance in Germany being more dependent on the socio-economic factors than in most other countries.<ref name="PISAex">{{cite book | author = Programme for International Student Assessment | authorlink = Programme for International Student Assessment | title = Executive Summary, PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Volume 1: Analysis | url= http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/13/39725224.pdf| accessdate = 2007-12-15 | year = 2007 | publisher = OECD | location = France | isbn = 978-92-64-04000-7 }}</ref><ref name="PISA1">{{cite book | author = Programme for International Student Assessment | authorlink = Programme for International Student Assessment | title = PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World Volume 1: Analysis | url =http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/30/17/39703267.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-12-15 | year = 2007 | publisher = OECD | location = France | isbn = 978-92-64-04000-7 }}</ref>

To enter a university, high school students are required to take the ''[[Abitur]]'' examination, similar to [[Advanced Level (UK)|A-levels]]; however, students possessing a diploma from a [[vocational school]] may also apply to enter. A special system of apprenticeship called ''Duale Ausbildung'' allows pupils in vocational training to learn in a company as well as in a state-run school.<ref name="ED"/> Most German universities are state-owned and charge for tuition fees ranging from €50–500 per semester from each student.<ref>[http://www.daad.de/deutschland/studium/studienplanung/00493.en.html#headline_0_1 Tuition Fees in Germany] German Academic Exchange Service. Retrieved 2006, [[November 30|11-30]].</ref>

Germany's universities are recognised internationally, indicating the high education standards in the country. In the 2006 [[THES - QS World University Rankings]],<ref>[http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/ World University Rankings] — A 2006 ranking from ''[[THES - QS]]'' of the world's research universities.</ref> 10 German universities were ranked amongst the top 200 in the world.
{{-}}

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Germany}}

[[Image:Beethoven.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Ludwig van Beethoven]] (1770–1827) , composer.]]

Germany is often called ''Das Land der Dichter und Denker'' (the land of poets and thinkers).<ref>Wasser, Jeremy. [http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,410135,00.html Spätzle Westerns] Spiegel Online International. Apr. 6, 2006. Retrieved 2006, [[December 6|12-06]].</ref> German culture began long before the rise of Germany as a [[nation-state]] and spanned the entire German-speaking world. From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and [[secularism|secular]]. As a result, it is difficult to identify a specific German tradition separated from the larger framework of European [[high culture]].<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761576917_4/Germany.html Federal Republic of Germany: Culture.] Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006. Retrieved 2007, [[January 2|01-02]].</ref> Another consequence of these circumstances is the fact, that some historical figures, such as [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]], [[Franz Kafka]] and [[Paul Celan]], though not citizens of Germany in the modern sense, must be seen in the context of the German cultural sphere to understand their historical situation, work and social relations.

[[Image:Franz Marc 003.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Blaues Pferd I, 1911 by [[Franz Marc]] (1880–1916).]]

Germany claims some of the world's most renowned [[classical music]] composers, including [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], [[Johann Sebastian Bach]], [[Johannes Brahms]] and [[Richard Wagner]]. As of 2006, Germany is the fifth largest music market in the world and has influenced [[Pop music|pop]] and [[rock music]] through artists such as [[Kraftwerk]], [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] and [[Rammstein]].<ref>[http://news.warez.com/p2pnet/music-market-worth-us32-billion.html Music market worth US$ 32 billion] P2pnet.net Apr. 7, 2004. Retrieved 2006, [[December 7|12-07]].</ref>

Numerous German painters have enjoyed international prestige through their work in diverse artistic currents. [[Hans Holbein the Younger]], [[Matthias Grünewald]], and [[Albrecht Dürer]] were important artists of the [[Renaissance]], [[Caspar David Friedrich]] of [[Romanticism]], and [[Max Ernst]] of [[Surrealism]]. [[Architecture|Architectural]] contributions from Germany include the [[Carolingian architecture|Carolingian]] and [[Ottonian architecture|Ottonian styles]], which were important precursors of [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]. The region later became the site for significant works in styles such as [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]], [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] and [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]. Germany was particularly important in the early [[modern architecture|modern movement]], especially through the [[Bauhaus]] movement founded by [[Walter Gropius]]. [[Ludwig Mies van der Rohe]], also from Germany, became one of world's most renowned architects in the second half of the 20th century. The glass facade skyscraper was his idea.<ref>2006 A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Paperback) , Second (in English) , Oxford University Press, 880. ISBN 0198606788</ref>

===Philosophy===
[[Image:Immanuel Kant (painted portrait).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Immanuel Kant]] (1724–1804) , philosopher.]]

German literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the works of writers such as [[Walther von der Vogelweide]] and [[Wolfram von Eschenbach]]. Various German authors and poets have won great renown, including [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]] and [[Friedrich Schiller]]. The collections of folk tales published by the [[Brothers Grimm]] popularized [[German folklore]] on the international level.
Influential authors of the 20th century include [[Thomas Mann]], [[Berthold Brecht]], [[Hermann Hesse]], [[Heinrich Böll]], and [[Günter Grass]].<ref name="nobel">{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/articles/espmark/index.html|title=The Nobel Prize in Literature|publisher=Nobelprize.org|date=1999-12-03|author=Kjell Espmark|accessdate=2006-08-14}}</ref>

Germany's [[German philosophy|influence on philosophy]] is historically significant and many notable German philosophers have helped shape [[western philosophy]] since the Middle Ages. [[Gottfried Leibniz]]'s contributions to [[rationalism]], [[Immanuel Kant]]'s, [[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel]]'s, [[Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling]]'s and [[Johann Gottlieb Fichte]]'s establishment of the classical [[German idealism]], [[Karl Marx]]'s and [[Friedrich Engels]]' formulation of [[Communist theory]], [[Arthur Schopenhauer]]'s composition of metaphysical pessimism, [[Friedrich Nietzsche]]'s development of [[Perspectivism]], [[Martin Heidegger]]'s works on Being, and the social theories of [[Jürgen Habermas]] were especially influential.

===Media===
Germany's television market is the largest in Europe, with some 34 million TV households.
The many regional and national public broadcasters are organised in line with the federal political structure. Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV, and viewers can choose from a variety of free-to-view public and commercial channels. Pay-TV services have not become popular or successful while public TV broadcasters [[ZDF]] and [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]] offer a range of digital-only channels.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1047864.stm Country profile: Germany], BBC News, Retrieved 2007, [[December 7|12-07]].</ref>

Germany is home to some of the world's largest media conglomerates, including [[Bertelsmann]] and the publisher [[Axel Springer]]. Some of Germany's top free-to-air commercial TV networks are owned by ProSiebenSat1.

The country's news is provided in English by news magazine [[Der Spiegel]], state broadcaster [[Deutsche Welle]] and news site [[The Local]].

In November 2007 the top visited websites by German internet users have been [[Google]], [[Ebay]], [[Youtube]], [[Yahoo]], [[studiVZ]] and [[Wikipedia]].<ref>[http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?cc=DE&ts_mode=country&lang=none Top Sites Germany] Alexa, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref>

===Cinema===
{{main|Cinema of Germany}}

[[Image:Berlinale2007.jpg|thumb|The Berlinale Palast during the [[Berlin Film Festival]] in February.]]

German cinema dates back to the very early years of the medium with the work of [[Max Skladanowsky]]. It was particularly influential during the years of the Weimar Republic with [[German expressionism|German expressionists]] such as [[Robert Wiene]] and [[Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau]]. Austria-based director [[Fritz Lang]], who became a German citizen in 1926 and whose career flourished in pre-war German film industry, is said to be a major influence on Hollywood cinema. His silent movie [[Metropolis (film)|Metropolis]] (1927) is referred to as birth of modern Science Fiction movies.

[[Image:Derblaueengel.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Marlene Dietrich]] in ''[[The Blue Angel]]'' in 1930, Germany's first major film with sound.]]

In 1930 Austrian-American Josef von Sternberg directed ''[[The Blue Angel]]'', which was the first major German [[sound film]] and it brought world fame to actress [[Marlene Dietrich]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Bordwell |first= David |authorlink= David Bordwell |coauthors= Kristin Thompson|title= Film History: An Introduction|origdate= |origyear= 1994 |edition= 2nd Edition |year= 2003 |publisher= McGraw-Hill |location= New York City |isbn= 978-0071151412 |pages= p. 204 |chapter= The Introduction of Sound}}</ref> Impressionist documentary [[Berlin: Symphony of a Great City]] directed by [[Walter Ruttmann]], is a prominent example of the city symphony genre. The Nazi era produced mostly propaganda films although the work of [[Leni Riefenstahl]] still introduced new aesthetics in film.<ref>[http://www.filmbug.com/db/343340 Leni Riefenstahl], FILMBUG, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref>

During the 1970-80s, [[New German Cinema]] directors such as [[Volker Schlöndorff]], [[Werner Herzog]], [[Wim Wenders]], [[Rainer Werner Fassbinder]] placed West-German cinema back onto the international stage with their often provocative films.<ref>[http://www.fassbinderfoundation.de/node.php/en/home Rainer Werner Fassbinder], Fassbinder Foundation, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref>

More recently, films such as ''[[Das Boot (film)|Das Boot]]'' (1981) , ''[[Run Lola Run|Lola rennt (Run Lola Run)]]'' (1998) , ''[[Das Experiment]]'' (2001) , ''[[Good Bye Lenin!]]'' (2003) , ''[[Head-On|Gegen die Wand (Head-on)]]'' (2004) and ''[[Der Untergang|Der Untergang (Downfall)]]'' (2004) have enjoyed international success. The [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]] went to the German production ''[[The Tin Drum (film)|Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum)]]'' in 1979, to ''[[Nowhere in Africa]]'' in 2002, and to ''[[The Lives of Others|Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others)]]'' in 2007.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/awards Awards:Das Leben der Anderen], IMDb, Accessed April 13, 2007</ref> Among the most famous German actors are [[Marlene Dietrich]], [[Klaus Kinski]], [[Hanna Schygulla]], [[Armin Mueller-Stahl]], [[Jürgen Prochnow]] and [[Thomas Kretschmann]].

The [[Berlin Film Festival]], held annually since 1951, is one of the world's foremost film festivals. An international jury places emphasis on representing films from all over the world and awards the winner with the Golden and Silver Bears.<ref>''[http://www.fiapf.org/pdf/2006accreditedFestivalsDirectory.pdf 2006 FIAPF accredited Festivals Directory], International Federation of Film Producers Associations, retrieved on December 11, 2006.''</ref> The annual [[European Film Award]]s ceremony is held every second year in the city of Berlin, where the [[European Film Academy]] (EFA) is located. The [[Babelsberg Studios]] in Potsdam are the oldest large-scale film studios in the world and a centre for international film production.

===Sports===
{{main|Sport in Germany}}

[[Image:AllianzArenaSunset.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Allianz Arena]] is host to the football club [[Bayern Munich]] and was a venue for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]].]]

Sport forms an integral part of German life. Twenty-seven million Germans are members of a sports club and an additional twelve million pursue such an activity individually.<ref name="sports">[http://www.germany.info/relaunch/culture/life/sports.html Germany Info: Culture & Life: Sports] Germany Embassy in Washington, D.C. Retrieved 2006, [[December 28|12-28]].</ref> [[Football (soccer)]] is the most popular sport. With more than 6.3 million official members, the [[German Football Association]] (''Deutscher Fußball-Bund '') is the largest sports organisation of this kind worldwide.<ref name="sports"/> The [[Bundesliga (football)|Bundesliga]] attracts the second highest [[List of attendance figures at domestic professional sports leagues|average attendance]] of any professional sports league in the world. The [[Germany national football team|German national football team]] won the [[FIFA World Cup]] in 1954, 1974 and 1990 and the [[European Football Championship]] in 1972, 1980 and 1996. Germany has hosted the FIFA World Cup in [[FIFA World Cup 1974|1974]] and [[FIFA World Cup 2006|2006]] and the [[UEFA European Football Championship]] in [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]]. Among the most successful and renowned footballers are
[[Franz Beckenbauer]], [[Gerd Müller]], [[Jürgen Klinsmann]], [[Lothar Matthäus]], and [[Oliver Kahn]]. Other popular spectator sports include [[team handball|handball]], [[volleyball]], [[basketball]], [[ice hockey]], and [[tennis]].<ref name="sports"/>

[[Image:Michael Schumacher-I'm the man (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Michael Schumacher]] has won seven [[Formula One]] championships.]]

Germany is one of the leading motorsports countries in the world. Race winning cars, teams and drivers have come from Germany. The most successful [[Formula One]] driver in history, [[Michael Schumacher]] has set the most significant motorsport records during his career and won more [[Formula One]] championships and races than any other driver since Formula one's debut season in 1946. He is one of the highest paid sportsmen in history and became a Billionaire athlete.<ref>[http://sport.guardian.co.uk/formulaone/story/0,,1929091,00.html What we will miss about Michael Schumacher], Guardian Unlimited, Retrieved 2007, October 19</ref> Constructers like [[BMW]] and [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] are among the leading teams in motorsport sponsoring. [[Porsche]] has won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]], a prestigious annual race held in France, 16 times. The [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]] is a popular series in Germany.

Historically, German sportsmen have been some of the most successful contenders in the [[Olympic Games]], ranking third in an [[all-time Olympic Games medal count]], combining East and West German medals. In the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], Germany finished sixth in the medal count,<ref>[http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/table_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=2004 Athens 2004 Medal Table] International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 2006, [[December 28|12-28]].</ref> while in the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] they finished first.<ref>[http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/table_uk.asp?OLGT=2&OLGY=2006 Turin 2006 Medal Table] International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 2006, [[December 28|12-28]].</ref>
Germany has hosted the [[Summer Olympic Games]] twice, in [[Berlin]] in [[1936 Summer Olympics|1936]] and in [[Munich]] in [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972]]. The [[Winter Olympic Games]] took place once in [[1936 Winter Olympics|1936]] when they were staged in the [[Bavaria]]n twin towns of [[Garmisch]] and [[Partenkirchen]].
{{-}}

===Cuisine===
{{main|German cuisine}}

[[Image:144215094 be5e39f10f b.jpg|thumb|right|A ''[[Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte]]'' (Black Forest gateau).]]

German cuisine varies greatly from region to region. The southern regions of Bavaria and Swabia, for instance, share a culinary culture with Switzerland and Austria. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties of meat consumed in Germany, with [[pork]] being the most popular.<ref>[http://www.nationmaster.com/country/gm-germany/foo-food GERMAN FOOD STATS], www.nationmaster.com, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> Throughout all regions, meat is often eaten in sausage form. More than 1500 different types of [[sausage]] are produced in Germany. The most popular vegetables are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnip, spinach and beans.<ref>[http://www.cuisineeurope.com/recipes_germany/main_recipes_germany_en.html German cuisine], www.cuisineeurope.com, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref>
[[Organic food]] has gained a market share of around 3.0% and is predicted to be an increasing trend.<ref>[http://www.organic-europe.net/country_reports/germany/default.asp Organic Agriculture in Germany], organic-Europe, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref>

A popular saying in Germany is: "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." Breakfast is usually a selection of [[cereal]]s and jam or honey with bread. Some Germans eat cold meats or cheese with bread for breakfast.<ref>[http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/germany/eating.html EATING THE GERMAN WAY], Cultural Profiles Project, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> More than 300 types of [[bread]]s, sold in bakery shops, are known throughout the country.<ref>[http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/culture_and_events/culinary_germany_brot.htm 300 Types of Bread], /www.germany-tourism.de, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref>

[[Image:Buffet Germany.jpg|thumb|left|A typical cheese and cold meat buffet served at private festivities.]]

As a country with many immigrants, Germany has adopted many international dishes into its cuisine and daily eating habits. [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] dishes like [[Pizza]] and [[Pasta]], [[Turkish cuisine|Turkish]] and [[Arab]] dishes like [[Döner Kebab]] and [[Falafel]] are well established, especially in bigger cities. International [[Hamburger|burger]] chains, as well as [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]] and [[Greek cuisine|Greek]] restaurants, are widespread. [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Thai cuisine|Thai]], [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese]], and other Asian cuisines have gained popularity in recent decades.
Among high-profile restaurants in Germany the [[Michelin guide]] has awarded three stars, the highest designation, to nine restaurants; 15 more received two stars.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2914502,00.html Schnitzel Outcooks Spaghetti in Michelin Guide], Deutsche Welle, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> German restaurants have become the world's second most decorated after eateries in France.<ref>[http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINL1447732320071114 German cuisine beats Italy, Spain in gourmet stars], Reuters India, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref>

Although [[wine]] is becoming more popular in many parts of Germany, the national drink is [[beer]]. German beer consumption per person is declining but at 116 litres annually it is still among the highest in the world.<ref>[http://www.royalunibrew.com/Default.aspx?ID=266 Europe's largest beer market], royalunibrew.com, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> Beer varieties include [[Altbier|Alt]], [[Bock]], [[Dunkel]], [[Kölsch (beer)|Kölsch]], [[Lager]], [[Malzbier]], [[Pilsener|Pils]], and [[Weizenbier]]. Among 18 surveyed western countries, Germany ranked 14th in the list of per capita consumption of soft drinks in general, while it ranked third in the consumption of fruit juices.<ref>[http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/foo_sof_dri_con-food-soft-drink-consumption Soft drink consumption], www.nationmaster.com, Retrieved 2007, November 26</ref> Furthermore, sparkling mineral water and ''Schorle'' (its mixture with fruit juice) are extremely popular in Germany.

===Society===
[[Image:Cs.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Claudia Schiffer]], model.]]

Germany has promoted itself as ''Land of ideas''. A campaign that has started in the year
2006 accompanying the Football World Cup Finals finds its continuation in 2008. The campaign focuses recent innovations in public and private institutions, universities and research institutes, companies, as well as social and cultural projects.<ref>[http://www.land-of-ideas.org/ "Land of Ideas" campaign] www.land-of-ideas.org, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref>

Since the World Cup celebrations the internal and external perception of the country's image has changed.<ref>[http://www.brandovation.net/ How Germany won the World Cup of Nation Branding] BrandOvation, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref> In regularly conducted global surveys known as the Anholt GMI Index, Germany as a nation brand, has become significantly and repeatedly higher ranked after the football tournament. Besides economic criteria people were asked to assess a country's reputation in terms of culture, politics, its people and its attractiveness to tourists. Germany has been named the [[nation branding|world's most valued nation brand]] among 36 countries.<ref>[http://www.earthspeak.com/Anholt%20Nation%20Brands%20Index%20General%20Report%20Q3%202007%20-%20Germany%20overtakes%20UK%20to%20reach%20No%201%20Rank%20-%20Muslims%20prefer%20America.pdf Anholt Nation Brands Index Summary Data Q3 2007] Anholt Nation Brands Index, Retrieved 2008, [[July 5|07-05]].</ref><ref>[http://www.earthspeak.com/Anholt%20Nation%20Brands%20Index%202007%20Q4%20overall%20results.pdf Anholt Nation Brands Index Summary Data Q4 2007] Anholt Nation Brands Index Downloads, Retrieved 2008, [[July 5|07-05]].</ref> Another global opinion poll for the [[BBC]] revealed that Germany is recognized for the most positive influence in the world, leading 22 investigated countries. A majority of 56% have a positive view of the country, while 18% have a negative view.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7324337.stm World views US 'more positively] BBC NEWS, Retrieved 2008, [[April 02|04-02]]</ref><ref>[http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbccntryview08/ Germany gets the most positive ratings of all countries] Globescan, Retrieved 2008, [[April 04|04-04]].</ref>

[[Image:Insel Rügen-Strand von Sellin.jpg|thumb|left|Germans invest a large amount of money in international travel and domestic vacation trips (seaside resort in [[Sellin]] on the island [[Rügen]]).]]

Germany is a legally and socially tolerant country towards homosexuals. [[Civil union]]s have been permitted since 2001.<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1613010,00.html Germany extends gay rights] News24.com, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref> Gays and lesbians can legally adopt their partner's biological children (stepchild adoption). The two mayors of the largest German cities Berlin and Hamburg are openly gay politicians.<ref>[http://americansfortruth.com/glbtq-quotes/politicians-public-officials/berlins-mayor-declares-im-gay-and-thats-okay.html Berlin's Mayor Declares: "I'm Gay and That's Okay"] americansfortruth.com, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref>

During the last decade of the 20th century Germany has transformed its attitude towards immigrants considerably. Until the mid-nineties the opinion was widespread that Germany is not a country of immigration in spite of an approximately 10% population of non-German origin. After the end of the influx of so-called ''[[Gastarbeiter]]'' (blue-collar guest-workers), refugees were a tolerated exception to this point of view. Today the government and the German society are acknowledging the opinion, that controlled immigration should be allowed based on the qualification of immigrants.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=l9yTtCAnQWwC&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=cdu+immigrant+einwanderungsland&source=web&ots=KKVpfi7CM5&sig=iojK_WCtFX1qxXZepvrllK0j6Vs#PPA53,M1 From ethnic nation to universalistic immigrant integration: Germany] The Integration of Immigrants in European Societies, Retrieved 2008, [[January 06|11-25]].</ref>

With an expenditure of €58 billion for international travel in 2005, Germans invested more money in travel than any other country. Most popular destinations were Austria, Spain, Italy and France.<ref>[http://www.goethe.de/ins/sg/sin/ges/sur/en1314184.htm The Germans are world champions in travelling] Goethe Institut Singapore, Retrieved 2007, [[November 25|11-25]].</ref>
{{clear}}


=Germany=
==Background==
* Colors: Black, Yellow, and Red
* Flag: 
* Time zone: If Noon in Washington DC then it is 6pm in Berlin. 
* Natural wonders: Berlin. History of World Wars.

==External Links==
* [[Wikipedia:]]
* http://www.un.org/members/list.shtml
* http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/noc/index_uk.asp

==Insights==

==Details==

==Languages==
The langueges in Germany is Deutsch  
===Simple Slogans===
** [[Simple Slogans Tips|Editor's Tips]]
* Hello =  
* Thank you =
* News =
* Sports =
* Athlete =

===Regional Slogans ===
**[[Regional Slogans Tips|Editor's Tip]]
*

==People==
* Population in year = Germany — Population: 82,400,996 (July 2007 est.)
 
 

===Heros===
====Sporting Stars====
* [[Joe Legend]] -- replace name


====Cultural Stars====
* [[Celeb Figure]] -- replace name

=={{SITENAME}}==
** [[Tips to A for Athlete|Tips]]
===Friends===
* 
===Leads===
* 
===Schools===
* 

==Olympics==
===Beijing 2008 Olympics===
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/2008/07/30/bc.oly.nowitzki.ap/index.html Fans want Nowitzki to be German flag bearer] - 07/30/08 - FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Fans of [[Dallas]] [[Mavericks]] star [[Dirk Nowitzki]] have mounted an internet campaign they hope will lead to his selection as Germany's flag bearer at the Beijing Olympics.

===Summary===
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===Past Olympic Memories===
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==Sport in Society==
===School sports===
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===Physical Education===
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===University sports===
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===Fitness===
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===Games===
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===Play===
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==Media==
===Newspapers===
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===TV, video, cinema===
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===Radio and Podcasts===
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===Wikis===
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===Blogs===
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===Discussions, forums, newsgroups===
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==Open Source==
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==Places==
===Sporting sites===
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===Urban===
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===Rural===
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===Nature===
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===Communities, Villages===
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===In the garden===
** [[editor tips for in the garden section]]
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==Business==
===Wikinomics===
* [[Wikinomics-Tips|Editor tips]]
===Buzz===
* Tell us what's hot.
===Brands===
Global brands
===Sports sponsors===
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===Imports===
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===Exports===
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===Sweatshops===
* [[Editors tips on sweatshops]]

==Government==

===Diplomats and Embassy Notes===

===Friction===

==Rivals==
* Test matches against foes are more intense.

==History==
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==Travel==
===Destinations===
* Don't miss spaces:
===Photos===
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===Locals travel to:===
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===Visitors from abroad often include:===
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===Travel accounts===
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==Music==
Notes and pointers to tunes.

==Dates==
===Holidays===
* 
===Sporting Festivals===
*



==Insights==
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/06/08/bc.swm.germany.rivalswim.ap/index.html German swimmers getting fast new suit for 2008 Olympics] - 06/08/08 - BERLIN (AP) -- The [[LZR Racer]] has triggered a wave of world records in the pool. Now German swimmers say they could be clad in an even better high-tech suit at the Beijing Olympics.
[[category:Nation]]