Germany. Best time to visit

Berlin 11:06 9°C
Mainly cloudy

The population of the country is 81,802,257 people The territory is 357,021 sq. km Part of the world Europe Capital of Germany Berlin Money Euro (EUR) Domain zone.de Telephone code countries +49

Resorts

On the German lands there is a considerable number of resorts, of various types and levels. Some of them have been popular for a long time.

The city of Aachen is famous for its springs - healing mineral hot waters, and Heiligendamm, located on the shore Baltic Sea, has long been considered a famous resort place.

Kurokrt in Travemünde, which is located at the mouth of the Trave River, has been popular since the 19th century, as well as the resort on the island of Rügen, washed by the waves of the Baltic.

The resorts of Warnemünde, Sylt and Amrom are islands in the North Sea that will delight guests with their sea beaches. Bad Salzuflen is a resort with famous thermal springs.

Climate:: Temperate and maritime. Cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers. Sometimes a warm mountain wind.

Attractions

Seeing the famous places of German lands is not a trivial task, for the reason that there are a lot of sights in Germany. Berlin is famous for such places as: the Maiden's Bridge, the Reichstag, the Neptune Fountain, the Khak courtyards, the Ephraim Palace, the monument to the Liberator Warrior, the AquaDom, the Fountain of Fairy Tales, Botanical Garden, Brandenburg Gate.

The oldest city of Dresden, in itself is the history of Germany, like many cities of the republic. The Zwinger complex, the Loschvitsky bridge, the cable car, the Golden Horseman, the "Princely Procession" panel - these are just a small part of the historical places of the ancient city. In fact, in any city in Germany there are places that are interesting and remarkable in one way or another.

Affirmative answer "Yes, yes!" pronounced with the intonation of the Russian “Well, well!” means “Kiss my ass” and is understood as such.

Terrain: Lowlands in the north, uplands in the center, Bavarian Alps in the south.

Hotels

For its guests, Germany will provide options for accommodation in a considerable amount. It all depends on the wishes and possibilities of visitors. Being modern and developed country, comfort and service of hotels in Germany is at a high level, and a full range of services will always be pleasant to its customers. Travelers can find a hotel to stay, in fact, in any city of the federation. The choice is quite extensive. Tourists, vacationers and travelers can always stay in hotels: Hilton, Side, The Westin, Angleterre, Estrel, Mercure, Novote, Sorat, Zur Post, "Madison am Dom", "Eder", "Gunia" and many others who will always welcome their guests with cordiality.

In Bavaria, during the working day, a person has the right to drink a mug of beer.

Resources:: Coal, brown coal, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potassium, salt, timber, arable land.

Leisure

In a developed, cultural and historical Germany, pastime, depending on preferences, opportunities and desires, will not be a problem. The choice of leisure is wide and fully represented. Most often, tourists prefer traveling to historical, beautiful and natural places Germany, namely: sightseeing, monuments, visiting theaters and museums. Whole cultural recreation organized at a high and decent level. Also in Germany provided in a wide range gaming and entertainment venues, nightclubs, modern sports complexes, restaurants, cafes and bars with the famous German beer, water parks, leisure parks and many other places where it will be fun to spend your leisure time.

Money:: Euro is in circulation now.

Museums

The German land is, first of all, a long history and rich culture of the people living on it. There are a lot of museums in the republic. They are diverse and always present interesting expositions to their visitors. In Berlin, the following will be of interest: the Museum of Cinema, the Art Gallery, Historical Museum, the Egyptian Museum, the Pergamon Museum, the Museum of the Tunguska meteorite and many others. In Munich, you can visit the old and new Pinakothek der Moderne, the Munich City Museum, the Glyptothek and the Deutsches Museum. Bonn will present its guests with the Bonn City Museum, the House of History, the Beethovin House and the Ludwig Museum. The Goethe House Museum, the Forensic Museum and the Postal Museum are located in Frankfurt am Main.

Transport

In Germany, transport is represented by almost all of its types. Transport system state - is modern, progressive and confidently claims to be the best in the EU. Railway transport constitutes a significant part of traffic. There are roads designed for high-speed trains. Traveling by rail is convenient and inexpensive. Highways connect almost all cities of the country. It is convenient to move along them by any type of vehicle, which is presented in in full. Air travel is possible both within the country and abroad. Air communications are developed. Airports are present in many large cities of the republic. There are several seaports in the republic. Of these, the largest are in Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.

The fine for a slap in the face is 500 euros.

Standard of living

The state has a fairly high standard of living, decent social protection and medicine. Germany is a country with a very powerful and progressive economy, state of the art infrastructure, developed industry and agriculture. A significant share of high-quality and popular manufactured goods is supplied to various countries of the world, but a significant part of the economy is occupied by the service sector.

Culture and education in the republic are at a fairly high level. Unemployment in the state is relatively low, and middle level salary, approximately, is from 2500 euros per month, but, wage may be several orders of magnitude higher. It all depends on the industry and type of activity.

Cities

Germany (FRG) is a state whose lands are located in Central Europe. The federation included 16 lands, which are equal subjects of the country. The capital of the republic is Berlin, one of the largest and modern European cities. was built main city Germany on the banks of the river Spree.

Germany - populous country, with a fairly impressive number of cities and towns. In total, there are more than two thousand administrative units in the country.

meaningful and major cities federations are: Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Cologne, Dortmund, Essen, Bochum, Hannover, Bielefeld, Nuremberg, Wuppertal.

Population

Coordinates

Land Berlin

52.52437 x 13.41053

Hamburg Quotes

48.13743 x 11.57549

North Rhine-Westphalia

Frankfurt am Main

50.11667 x 8.68333

North Rhine-Westphalia

Stuttgart

Baden-Württemberg

48.78232 x 9.17702

Dortmund

North Rhine-Westphalia

Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia

51.22172 x 6.77616

53.07516 x 8.80777

Hanover

Germany - the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Landmarks, cities of Germany, climate, geography, population and culture.

Germany

Germany is a state in Central Europe. One of the largest and richest countries of the European Union is washed by the North and Baltic Seas and borders with Denmark in the north, with the Czech Republic and Poland in the east, with Austria and Switzerland in the south, with France, Belgium, Holland (Netherlands) and Luxembourg in the west. Germany is made up of 16 federal states and is federal state with a parliamentary form of government. The official language is German. The majority of the population professes Christianity.

Germany is one of the most popular holiday and travel destinations. The country is extremely diverse: from the sandy beaches of the Baltic and North Seas to the mountain ranges of the Alps in the south, from the gloomy forests and picturesque nature of the Black Forest to the endless fields of agricultural regions, from the vineyards of the Rhine Valley to the chalk cliffs of Rügen. Here you can find a place to your liking for everyone: the ancient cities of Bavaria - Nuremberg, Regensburg, Bamberg or the famous Hanseatic cities - Bremen, Rostock, Lübeck, modern metropolises - Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt am Main or other popular tourist centers- Dresden, Hannover, Cologne.

Useful information about Germany

  1. The official language is German.
  2. Currency - euro.
  3. Visa - Schengen.
  4. The standard of living is high.
  5. The population is over 82 million people.
  6. Area - more than 357 thousand square meters. m.
  7. The capital is Berlin.
  8. Tipping is customary to leave 5-10% of the bill.
  9. Time zone +1. Relative to Moscow time -1 in summer and -2 in winter.
  10. The form of government is a federal parliamentary republic.

Geography and nature

Northern Germany is a plain. The central part of the country is mainly forested hills and foothills. The southern part of Germany is mountainous. Here the Alps begin and the most high point- Mount Zugspitze (2962 m).


Flows through Germany great amount rec. The largest of them: Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Oder. The largest lake is Constance, with an area of ​​​​more than 500 square meters. km and maximum depth 250 meters.


The north of Germany is washed by the North and Baltic seas. Here are the main seaports and sea resorts. In the coastal zone there are a large number of islands, the largest of which is the island of Rügen.


The nature of Germany is typical for a temperate climate. Most of the territory (32%) is covered with deciduous and mixed forests, dominated by spruce, pine, oak and beech. In arid places, there are heather plains, a small part of the territory is covered with swamps, in the mountains you can find alpine and subalpine meadows. Half of the country is agricultural land: fields and pastures. In the Rhine Valley - vineyards. Animal world characteristic of the forest zone, except that there are no large mammals left in Germany: elks, brown bears, wolves, etc.


Climate

Germany is located in the temperate zone. In the north, climate and weather are largely determined by the proximity of the sea. In the south, the climate is closer to temperate continental. The weather in Germany is often quite changeable. Warm days can alternate between cool and rainy. In general, the seasons of the year are clearly distinguished and some extreme weather conditions(heat, severe frosts and hurricanes) are quite rare and fleeting. The average summer temperature is 15-20 degrees. In winter, the temperature is close to zero or slight frosts. In the mountains, of course, it is colder. 600-800 mm of precipitation falls per year (it all depends on the region).


Best time to visit

Germany is a country that you can visit almost all year round. It all depends on the season you like. Germany is magical at Christmas and in winter, covered in snow, blooming in spring, green in summer and beautiful in autumn. The ideal time to visit is from May to August. This is the time of the highest tourist season. The transitional period with comfortable weather conditions is March-April and September-October. Late autumn and winter (except Christmas holidays) is the low tourist season, which is not bad for economical travel.


Story

The name of the country in Russian comes from the Latin name of the tribes living beyond the Rhine valley and dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. The Romans called these tribes "Germans". Official name countries in German - Deutschland. Used since the 15th century.

The first mention of the Germanic tribes belong to the period of Ancient Greece. Further references to the Germans are found in ancient Roman documents. From Antiquity to the 10th century, most of the territory of Germany was inhabited by Slavic tribes. After the collapse of the Roman Empire in Western Europe, a kingdom was formed by the Frank. In the 9th century, Charlemagne created new empire which did not last long. The grandsons of Charles divided the empire into three kingdoms. The Kingdom of the East Franks subsequently became Germany.


The date of foundation of Germany as a state is considered to be 962, when the king of the Eastern Franks, Otto I, became the king of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a confederation of lands with broad powers. They had their own coin, an army. The emperor was chosen by a special council. The interests of the land were represented in the Reichstag.

In the 12th-14th century, the lands where the Slavs lived, one way or another, became part of the Empire. The Slavic population was forced out or assimilated.

The Holy Roman Empire ceased to exist at the beginning of the 19th century during Napoleonic Wars. After Congress of Vienna The German Confederation was formed, which was ruled by the Kaiser. In 1866 the German Confederation collapsed. In 1877, the North German Confederation was formed, which later became the German Empire. At the end of the 19th century, Germany became one of the leading countries in Europe. Culture, science and philosophy are flourishing in the country.


In 1914 Germany entered the First World War. In 1918, as a result of the revolution, the King of Prussia abdicated, and Germany became socialist republic. In 1933, the National Socialist Party, led by Adolf Hitler, came to power. In 1939, the Second World War. After the end of the war and the defeat in it, the country was divided into two parts - the FRG and the GDR. In 1990, Germany became unified. The GDR became part of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Administrative division

Germany consists of 16 federal states:

  1. Baden-Württemberg - Stuttgart city center
  2. Free State of Bavaria - the center of Munich
  3. Berlin (capital)
  4. Brandenburg - the center of Potsdam
  5. Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
  6. Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg
  7. Hesse - center of Wiesbaden
  8. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - the center of Schwerin
  9. Lower Saxony - center of Hannover
  10. North Rhine-Westphalia - center Düsseldorf
  11. Rhineland-Palatinate - center of Mainz
  12. Saarland - the center of Saarbrücken
  13. Free State of Saxony - the center of Dresden
  14. Saxony-Anhalt - center of Magdeburg
  15. Schleswig-Holstein - center of Kiel
  16. Free State of Thuringia - center of Erfurt

Population

The population of Germany is more than 82 million people. The country is one of the largest in terms of population in Europe. 92% of the population are Germans. Of the largest diasporas stand out: Turkish, from the countries former Yugoslavia and post-Soviet space. The majority of the population professes Christianity. 90% of Germans live in cities. The official language is German. Many people (especially young people) speak English. Approximately 6 million people understand Russian.

The Germans are a neat, serious and disciplined nation. They try to stick to the rules, they like order, they are serious about everything and sometimes even overly pedantic. Regarding openness - it all depends on the person. In general, the Germans are quite open and friendly. It seemed that the population of West Germany was more open than that of East.


Transport

The transport infrastructure in Germany is one of the best in Europe and the world. One of the main advantages transport network are the famous autobahns. These are high-speed highways with excellent road surface. Some of them don't even have speed limits. Considering that the highways connecting Germany with neighboring countries are free of charge, while the cost of fuel here is slightly cheaper than in France, Austria and Italy, traveling around the country by car is very fast and comfortable. One of the minuses is perhaps traffic jams near large cities and rather dense traffic flows, which slightly increases travel time.


Quite a lot in Germany and international airports. They connect the country with almost all states of Europe and the world. The largest airports in Germany are located in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Dresden, Nuremberg.

Also developed in Germany railway communication. The length of railways is more than 35 thousand km. High-speed trains are integrated into the European transport system.

Cities in Germany

The capital of Germany is the city of Berlin, located in the northeastern part of the country on the banks of the Spree River. This is one of largest cities Europe. Berlin became the capital at the time German Empire. From 1961 to 1989 it was separated by a wall, which became one of its main attractions and symbols.


The economic center of Germany is the city of Frankfurt am Main. It is also probably the most modern city in the country with skyscrapers and many new buildings. Worthy of attention and former capital Germany - Bonn.


One of the largest cities in Germany and the main seaport is Hamburg. Very interesting ancient Hanseatic cities Northern Germany- Bremen, Lübeck, Lüneburg, the Black Forest, the island of Rügen and more.

There are 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany.


Germany has a large number of castles. The most famous of them are Kaiserburg in Nuremberg, Neuschwanstein, Hohenzollern, Heidelberg, Wartburg, Hohenschwangau.


Very famous are the monuments of sacred architecture - ancient cathedrals and churches. Grandiose Gothic masterpieces have been preserved in Northern Germany and Bavaria.

Germany is an extremely interesting country for tourists. Despite two world wars, almost every old City can surprise you with interesting sights and old architecture.

Accommodation

In Germany there is a huge number of hotels, hotels, boarding houses of different price categories. The average cost of a room is much higher than the neighboring Czech Republic and Poland and is approximately on the same level with France, Austria. Although if you plan your trip in advance, you can find very economical and convenient options. Many places include breakfast in the price, which is usually very good. In principle, a good double room in almost any region of Germany can be found for 50-70 euros.


Kitchen

German cuisine is a synthesis of Eastern European and Western European dishes. At the same time, there are differences in the cuisine of the north and south. Traditional regional cuisine can be found in Northern Germany and Bavaria.

The cost of food in Germany is not the cheapest. The average bill for two in an inexpensive restaurant is approximately 50 euros.


The main drink in Germany is beer. At the same time, the quality and production volumes of the foamy drink are in no way inferior to the Czech Republic. In the historical region of Franconia there are wine-growing regions that produce very good wine.

Video

Germany(Germany in English or Deutschland in German), also known as the FRG (Federal Republic), is the most industrialized country in Western Europe. The consequence of this is the leading role in the politics of the Old World, the high standard of living of the population and, surprisingly, the relatively low level of prices.

  • For tourists, this is one huge plus, since the prices for hotels, food, visiting attractions in the country are mostly lower than in Spain, Italy, France.

The capital of Germany is Berlin. The city, which recent years burst into the top of the main tourist destinations in Europe and is rapidly developing. Including, in terms of hotel prices ...

  • (Mitte, Prenzlauer, Charlottenburg)

Population of Germany

The nation is still quite homogeneous: 65 million people living in the country or 80% - ethnic Germans. The population for 2016 is about 82 million people. About 6-7 million are labor migrants who do not yet have citizenship. T

Tourists should keep in mind that in 2015, 860 thousand refugees from Asia arrived in the country, which greatly changed the picture inside the country, worsened the crime situation and increased the degree of rejection of foreigners by locals.

Germany: country description

Capital: Berlin
Official language: German
Official currency: Euro (EUR)
Telephone code: +49
Barcodes on goods "made in Germany": 400-440

  • Countries bordering Germany: Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and France. In the north, the shores of the state are washed by the North and Baltic Seas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic and includes 16 federal states: Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Bremen, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Thuringia, Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

Land map (in German)

The largest federal state in terms of area is Bavaria (70,550 km2), it also leads in terms of per capita income. The most populated (over 17 million people) is North Rhine-Westphalia

  • The head of Germany is the federal president, elected by a special body, the federal assembly, for a 5-year term.
  • In fact, this is a representative position: all executive power in the country rests on the shoulders of the cabinet of ministers, headed by the chancellor. The latter is elected by the lower house of the country's parliament, the Bundestag, every 4 years. Members of the Bundestag (622 deputies) are elected by direct popular vote. The upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, consists of 69 members representing the federal states of Germany.

Big cities

Berlin (pop. about 3.5 million) is Germany's largest city, both in terms of area and population. It is not surprising that the Germans always return the capital here.

(about 1.8 million people) - the second largest city in the country, located at the mouth of the Elbe River near the North Sea. The largest port and one of the most interesting seaside cities in Europe.

(about 1.4 million people) - located in the south of Germany, on the Isar River, in the federal state of Bavaria. The city, like Bavaria in general, is famous for its brewing traditions, there are many breweries and the world's largest beer festival, Oktoberfest, is held here.

The sights of Munich are also the most popular among foreign tourists. Munich is also far ahead of other German cities in real estate prices, according to the latest data: Everyone wants to own their own here square meters!

(about 997 thousand people) is one of the largest economic and cultural centers countries. The city is located in the Bay of Cologne, in the lower reaches of the Rhine River.

Frankfurt am Main (together with the nearest suburbs, the population is about 1.5 million people) - here is the largest airport in Germany (Frankfurt am Main International Airport, sometimes also called the Rhine-Main Airport) and Europe in general.

The city is located on both banks of the Main. Frankfurt is one of the largest transport and (especially!) financial centers of the Old World.

Economy

Germany has the most powerful economy among all EU countries and one of the world's largest exporters (more than a trillion euros in 2010). Nominal country's GDP in 2010 amounted to about 2.5 trillion euros, which in terms of per capita exceeds 30.5 thousand euros. Despite the global economic crisis, the country's economy shows steady growth (3.6% in 2010).

The service sector provides up to 70% of Germany's GDP, industrial products account for 29.1%. German automobile companies are widely known in the world (Volkswagen is the largest automaker in the world after the Japanese Toyota, Mercedes, BMW,), Europe's largest manufacturer of electrical and electronic devices Siemens, perfumery and cosmetics company Nivea, clothing manufacturer Adidas.

Sightseeings of Germany

For an incomprehensible reason, in fact, the main attractions of this country are drawn to strictly classify, rank, sort through and bring to perfect order, rank or, as the Germans say, "ordnung".

However, regardless of anyone's desire, they are already in a predominantly perfect condition and require only refurbishment of the varnish from time to time. Like Greece, Germany has everything, but not everything is immediately apparent.

  • (from the point of view of foreigners)

In short, what you should pay attention to: Ski resorts: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Ruhpolding, Oberhof in Bavaria and Feldberg (Black Forest) in Baden-Württemberg

And sea: the islands of Rügen and Sylt, the resorts of Büsum on the North Sea and Heiligendamm on the Baltic.

Cruises on, the second in the list of the main rivers of Western Europe. Steamboat trips on Lake Constance or.

Now let's move south to Bavaria. 90 km south of Munich, not far from the border with Austria, is the fabulous village of Oberammergau craftsmen, which has not lost its cultural and historical identity for several centuries. The population of the commune is only 5,000 people, and this figure pales in comparison to the 500,000 tourists who visit these places throughout the year. The main attraction of the village is the Theater of the Passion of Christ, which gathers a large number of spectators for thematic performances.

Oberammergau village

In the vicinity of the South Bavarian city of Füssen, surrounded by virgin nature, there is Hohenschwangau Castle, which offers stunning views of the German Alps (it is also called the High Swan Castle of the Wittelsbachs). Opposite is Neuschwanstein Castle, fascinating with its graceful beauty, as if hovering over the mountain ranges. It seems that this magnificent structure has descended from the pages of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm; it reminds the Bavarians of the times of the eccentric King Ludwig II, who ruled the region from 1864-1886.

Do you want to see the most ambitious project Middle Ages? Then welcome to Cologne. On the coast of the Rhine is the most famous landmark of the city - a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The cathedral is one of the largest religious buildings; its construction started in 1248. has a magnificent interior, equipped with 56 huge columns. Above the main altar is the golden Tomb of the Three Kings. There is also the Chapel of the Three Kings and the Treasury with a collection of jewels. From the windows of the southern towers there are beautiful views of the surroundings.


Railway model "Miniature Wonderland" in Hamburg

The attraction, interesting not only for adults, but also for children, is located in the center port city Hamburg is a model Railway, the largest in the world, stretching for as much as 12 kilometers. 890 trains run along this amazing highway, which arrive in sections dedicated to different countries. In a few hours spent here, you can plunge into the bewitching world of miniature cities, villages, noisy harbors and airports.

One of the country's most popular tourist routes is the German Romantic Road. The ancient city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber or simply is located on it. Just imagine: the city walls and towers have come down to us in their original form since Thirty Years' War 1618. Of the most famous buildings of this impeccably preserved medieval city, we can name the majestic City Hall of the XIII century, built in 1466, the church of St. James and the municipal Tavern with its famous clock, the city museum, the fountain built in 1608.




Due to the weakening of the central government, local lords were engaged in maintaining order and repelling the attacks of the Huns and Normans. Subsequently, such duchies as Franconia, Saxony, Swabia and Bavaria arose in the territories under their control. Henry I of Saxony, nicknamed the Fowler, by conquering the neighboring German states, managed to restore the central government, but to a small extent. More “lucky” was his son Otgon. In 936, he proclaimed himself the direct heir of Charlemagne and king of all Germany: a superbly organized ceremony for his coronation took place in Aachen.

The power of the German kings and emperors, however, was not hereditary. The decision on who will be the next head of state was made by narrow circle- electors of the largest German cities, including the prince-archbishops of Mainz, Cologne and Trier. One of the brightest rulers was Emperor Frederick I (1152-1190). At the court of this representative of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, poets, minnesingers and valiant medieval knights. And although the central government was still weak, the state - it was then called the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation - lasted until the end of the Middle Ages.

At the end of the 17th century, political leadership in the German lands passed to the rulers of large state entities, among which Prussia stood out noticeably. The standard for their kings was France of the times Louis XIV, with the idea of ​​centralizing and absolutizing power and strengthening the bureaucracy, including the creation strong army on the permanent basis. The autocrats of the new generation became crowded in medieval castles, and they built luxurious baroque palaces for themselves. The construction of these residences and subsequent maintenance cost a lot to ordinary taxpayers. However, from a historical point of view, such sacrifices were not in vain: in our time, these palaces have become the main tourist attractions in Germany, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Oddly enough, the Great French Revolution of 1789 had a significant impact on the future of the state. In 1794, the German lands west of the Rhine came under the control of the French. Soon, the odious Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte established sovereignty over the whole of Germany. On the one hand, it was enslavement, and on the other hand, it brought positive changes. The French, for example, put the political map of their neighbor in order: Bavaria and Baden became kingdoms, thoroughly expanding their possessions, and petty ecclesiastical states were abolished. At the same time, no one liked foreign domination, and in the spring of 1813, unrest against the invaders began to flare up throughout the country. In October of the same year, on the front line of this struggle, the troops of Prussia, Austria, united to establish control over Schleswig-Holstein, but in the end betrayed their ally. The defeat of the latter's army in the battle with the Prussians in Bohemia ruled out any possibility of the participation of the Austrians in building a future unified German state. Indeed, Prussia led Germany to unification: its king, Wilhelm I, was proclaimed the first all-German emperor (Kaiser).

The attitude towards the unification of the country among the ruling elites of the local monarchies was ambiguous, while the common people were seized with national euphoria. The economy grew rapidly in the country, industry developed, railroads- it all looked like one big construction site! The first results were not long in coming: in coal mining and steel production, Germany not only caught up, but even surpassed the British Empire. At the same time, electrification and the chemical industry developed. Ordinary people also began to live better, since the government, not in words, but in deeds, was engaged in social problems unemployed and people with disabilities.

Captured german tank Sturmpanzerwagen A7V in French Paris

The relative prosperity within the state contrasted with the state of affairs outside it. By the beginning of the 20th century, relations between major players in the European arena began to come to a standstill. They spent huge amounts of money on their armed forces, which could only indicate one thing - each power was implicitly preparing for war. The formal reason was the assassination in Sarajevo of the Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand in June 1914. Thus began the First World War. Germany, the Habsburg Empire and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. This military-political bloc was opposed by the Entente, which united Russia, Great Britain and France. Germany was preparing a crushing blow to Paris, and when it failed, the country could no longer hope for military success. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the United States of America entered the war. In the summer of 1918, the German military command admitted defeat, but the responsibility for it was placed on the civilian government that advocated peace.

The First World War also had profound domestic political consequences for Berlin. The Kaiser regime fell, it was replaced by the Weimar Republic, forced to accept the extremely unfavorable conditions of the Treaty of Versailles. Germany officially recognized its responsibility for unleashing the war, ceded the Rhine lands, returned Alsace and Lorraine to France, provided Poland with a sea corridor - access to the Baltic and pledged to pay reparations that were a heavy burden on the country's economy. Not everyone agreed with such a peace, many perceived it as a betrayal of national interests.

Meanwhile, the position ordinary people deteriorated rapidly, hyperinflation ruined millions of Germans. Dissatisfaction with the government grew, which she took advantage of Nazi Party Adolf Hitler. Hiding behind patriotic slogans, she won an overwhelming majority in the Reichstag in the 1932 elections. President Hindenburg was forced to appoint the leader of this political force as Chancellor. In order to concentrate even more power in their hands, the Nazis organized the burning of the parliament building on the night of February 27, 1933, blaming the communists for it. There is no direct evidence, but historians do not even doubt that this is their work. In the first years of the Nazi rule, the economy began to revive, the military-industrial complex developed especially rapidly. Success awaited Hitler in the foreign policy arena: when he returned the Rhine lands in 1936, the Germans began to slowly get rid of the "Versailles complex." They again began to feel like a full-fledged nation - proud and strong!

Meanwhile, the Fuhrer's appetites were growing, and in general, almost all of Western Europe was under the rule of the Nazis. In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria (Anschluss), and in November, as a result Munich agreement- The Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by Germans. This country itself, with the exception of Slovakia, was transformed into a puppet Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. On September 1, 1939, the Third Reich attacked Poland - thus began the Second World War, the bloodiest in the history of mankind. On June 22, 1941, Wehrmacht troops invaded the territory Soviet Union: The Great Patriotic War lasted 1118 days and nights.

However, in this war unleashed by Germany, she was not destined to become the winner. On April 30, 1945, a completely demoralized Hitler committed suicide, and on May 8, 1945 Nazi regime surrendered to the allied forces. The red flag of the USSR proudly fluttered over the defeated Reichstag. The country was in ruins, lost some of its territories in favor of its neighbors and was divided into occupation zones - British, American, French and Soviet. The capital of the Reich, Berlin, was divided in a similar way. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed in the western occupation zones. In the eastern lands, which were under the control of the USSR, the German Democratic Republic was formed with its capital in East Berlin. West Berlin was not included in any of the newly formed states and was under external control. Relations between the GDR and the FRG remained complex throughout the entire period of their existence.

With the beginning of perestroika in the Soviet Union in 1985, the influence of the “big brother” on East Germany significantly weakened, while the western neighbor, on the contrary, increased. Political and public sentiment both countries were inclined towards the prospect of unification, but no one thought that this would happen so soon. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell - the odious stone border between the divided parts of the city. This event has become turning point which led to the unification of the two parts of Germany in October 1990. However, many historians consider this not an unification, but an annexation - in fact, absorption - by the Federal Republic of the territory of the GDR. According to experts, the difference in living standards between the "old" parts of Germany is still felt, although almost three decades have passed since reunification.


About the country:

Germany, a majestic and beautiful country located in the heart of Europe, is the birthplace of many of the most prominent and brilliant people. The rich history still amazes many historians, from Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to the German Reich Otto von Bismarck, Nazism, the construction and destruction of the Berlin Wall, which influenced the history of all of Europe. Cities and lands of Germany, majestic cathedrals, divine sounds of the organ, national art, beer brewing attract travelers from many countries. Germany is located in the Central part of Europe, in the north it borders on Denmark and is washed by the Baltic and North seas, in the west it borders on the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, in the south - on Switzerland, in the southeast - on Austria, in the east - on the Czech Republic and Poland. The length of the country from north to south is almost 880 km, from west to east - 640 km. total area countries 357,000 sq. km.
The cities of Germany have their own unique character, shaped by history and the surrounding area, they are not only distinguished by their architectural style, but also artistic riches and lifestyle. True pearls - Leipzig, Weimar, Schwerin and Dresden, northern Germany - Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck, which brought prosperity to maritime trade, Nuremberg - the birthplace of the famous German painter Dürer, Munich - metropolitan city beer and art, where the famous Pinakotheks are located, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Trier - the oldest cities in Germany. The capital - Berlin, deservedly ranks among the most popular destinations, regardless of the purpose of the trip: architecture, historical sites, museums, festivals, shopping, nightlife, as well as mass events that are annually visited by hundreds of thousands of people.

About the seasons:

Germany has a mild temperate and fairly humid climate. The weather in Germany is not always comfortable and is often changeable.
Autumn is very beautiful time year, the forests turn yellow and red, you can slowly enjoy the beauties of Germany or go in for active sports. In the autumn-winter period, there is a lot of precipitation, but temperature fluctuations are quite rare, the average temperature of the coldest month of January ranges from -3 to +2. The coldest winter is in the south of the country, in the Bavarian Alps. Severe frosts are rare, from mid-December to March the most suitable conditions for skiing.
The best time to visit Germany is spring - summer. The average temperature of the warmest month of July is from +16 to +20. In Berlin, the average temperature in July is +18. The warmest summer in the Rhine Valley, where amazing beautiful nature and lots of flowers.

About nature:

In Germany, priority is given to ecology and conservation natural environment, there are extensive nature reserves in the country, thanks to which you can wander through the pristine forests and wander through the swamps, get acquainted with river valleys with numerous rare species animals and plants and enjoy the singing of birds.
About 30% of the country's territory is covered with forests, two thirds of which are coniferous, one third are deciduous, in which birch, beech, oak and walnut grow.
The north of Germany, washed by the seas, attracts travelers with its small islands scattered off the coast, clean air, and in summer - with its sandy beaches. The nature of the Baltic Sea has been preserved in its original, untouched form. Adjacent to the sea, the plain, with its sloping green hills overgrown with forests and quiet lakes, creates a charming contrast to the coast. The center of Germany has a mid-mountain relief. Germany has a completely different look in the Alpine highlands, where green swampy mountain slopes, domed hill ranges and large lakes are characteristic.
The fauna of Germany is not very rich, the most common animals are: deer, wild boar, hare, wolf, fox, marten, badger. Among the few reptiles, the viper stands out. A large number of migratory birds usually migrate through the country. In coastal waters there are herring, cod, flounder, sea bass; in the rivers of the country - carp, trout, catfish.

About language:

The German language belongs to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family, writing is based on the Latin alphabet. German (Deutsch, Deutsche Sprache) - the official language of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, is one of official languages Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Until the beginning of the 20th century Gothic was officially used. Since the 21st century, letters in the generally accepted European style have been unofficially used, and after the victory of the November Revolution of 1918, they are introduced officially. Nazi attempts to return the Gothic script as an official font were not successful, and at present it is used only for decorative purposes.

About the past:

The foundation of the territory of modern Germany began since the time of the Neanderthals, the remains of some of them were found in the Neander hollow near Düsseldorf. Back in the first millennium BC Germanic tribes lived in the area Central Europe, and the greatest European states tried to seize the territory of modern Germany, but no one managed to make all its inhabitants loyal subjects. From 50 BC to 5th century AD the legions directed by the Roman Empire faced ruthless resistance until the 9th century by the Frankish conqueror Charlemagne and from the end of the 10th century by the Holy Roman Empire of Great Otto. In the 13th century, when the Habsburgs who ruled Vienna took control, Germany was a mixture of Germanic-speaking powers ruled by princes with limited powers. Some North German cities merged into the Hansa, a military trade union that monopolized trade in the Baltic Sea. The rule of the Habsburgs lasted until the Thirty Years' War (1618), unleashed by religious and nationalist differences, which ended in 1648 with the Peace of Westphalia.
The Peace of Westphalia led to a significant expansion of the possessions of the Electorate of Brandenburg, which had previously annexed the Duchy of Prussia. In 1701 the state received the name "Kingdom of Prussia".
Germany was feudally fragmented, there was serfdom, medieval legislation was in force everywhere. A number of German states had previously fought revolutionary France with varying degrees of success.
In the autumn of 1805, Napoleon's war began with the coalition, which included Austria. Austria was defeated. Under Napoleon, the German principalities united. By 1808, the Confederation of the Rhine included all the states of Germany, except for Austria, Prussia, Swedish Pomerania and Danish Holstein. Half of the territory of Prussia was taken from her and partly entered the Confederation of the Rhine. Serfdom was abolished, the Napoleonic Civil Code was introduced, which abolished feudal privileges and opened the way for the development of capitalism.
After the defeat of Napoleon in 1813, the Confederation of the Rhine effectively ceased to exist. 1815 was formed by the German Union (38 German states under the leadership of Austria). The states of the union were completely independent. Soon, a conflict began to brew between the growing influence of Prussia and Austria for a dominant position, both in the German Union and in Europe as a whole. Prussia's victory in the Austro-Prussian-Italian War of 1866 led to the dissolution of the German Confederation.
On June 28, 1914, the assassination of the Austrian heir Franz Ferdinand in the city of Sarajevo triggered the start of the First World War. German strategic plan provided for the rapid defeat of France, but he failed at the very beginning. After the Battle of the Marne, both sides were bogged down in brutal war. The entry into the war of the United States in 1917 predetermined the long-planned outcome. The military collapse was followed by political change: as a result of the November Revolution of 1918 in Germany, the emperor and princes left their thrones, the obsolete monarchy gave way to its alternative - the republic.
The economic crisis of 1929 was the beginning of the end Weimar Republic. In the summer of 1932, the number of unemployed in the country reached six million.
On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of the Reich. This event marked the end of the Weimar Republic. Strikes were banned, all parties except the Nazi were liquidated, trade unions were dissolved, new ones were created in their place, completely controlled by the government. In 1934, Hitler physically destroyed part of the top of his party ("Night of the Long Knives").
On November 9, 1938, a pogrom of Jews was carried out, known as Kristallnacht. Since that time, mass arrests and extermination of Jews began. Since 1939, wars began, which later escalated into a world war. World War II is the largest conflict in human history. 61 states of the world took part in this war, on the territory of which 80% of the world's population lived. Military operations were conducted on all oceans, in Eurasia, Africa and Oceania. On May 8, 1945, the act of surrender of the armed forces of Germany was signed.
Germany is currently democratic republic. The head of state is the federal president, who performs mainly representative functions. Administratively, Germany is divided into 16 states. Germany is the largest industrial country in Western Europe with a very high standard of living.

What is a German?

Main feature in German national character- punctuality. The Germans are a hardworking, organized, disciplined and tidy people. They take life seriously and value rules and order, so the Germans prefer not to break even those rules that greatly complicate their lives. If smoking or walking on the grass is allowed, you will be notified by a special sign.
The Germans are very straightforward people, it is in the order of things for him to give you everything that he really thinks in your face. And if he does not like your terrible shirt, he will consider it his duty to express his opinion about it, and not to pretend that he likes it.
They have a sense of humor, but it is somewhat different from ours and seems more serious. It is no coincidence that during large-scale celebrations on the street, the jokes of the speakers during the performance are accompanied by an orchestra, otherwise it can be very difficult to determine where to laugh.
The Germans are characterized by attentiveness and delicacy, they always congratulate on all holidays on time.

What does a German do on the weekends?

Weekends in Germany are usually spent with the family, arranging small picnics in your yard or in beautiful green parks. Germans love music and most often spend their leisure time with it. In Berlin, young people spend their weekends walking around the city, and in the evening they go to nightclubs. The older population of Berlin visits art exhibitions, numerous galleries contemporary art. In September, the world-famous Oktoberfest begins in Munich. This is the time when both the Bavarians themselves and the Prussians come off to their fullest, forgetting about any “ordnung”, in German “order”.
The Germans love to relax in their own country, most often the Germans go to Mecklenburg - Vorpommern, to spend their holidays at sea. The most popular resort on the Baltic coast is Timmendorf Beach. The resort of Baden-Baden is very popular, the reason for such popularity is thermal springs, healing power which was known to the ancient Romans in the 3rd century.
The love of travel is in the blood of the Germans. As a rule, they take pictures and make a detailed report about their travels, later, at cozy parties in their native Germany, they tell and show a full travel report.
Outdoor enthusiasts head to the Garmisch-Partekirchen area in winter. It is located at the foot of the high mountain Germany - Zugspitze. Other popular among Germans ski resorts- Berchtesgaden, Oberstdorf.
In the second half of January and at the end of July - beginning of August, large sales are held in Germany, which are very popular. At this time, discounts on clothes and shoes are 80 - 90%. The most massive and interesting sales are in Düsseldorf.

  • In Germany, the average soul accounts for 146 liters of beer per year.
  • On August 8, 2003, a temperature record was recorded in Germany - plus 40.8 degrees Celsius in the shade. The previous heat record in Germany - plus 40.2 degrees Celsius was registered at the end of July 1983 in the Upper Palatinate region.
  • German printing machines print 90% of all banknotes in the world, including US dollars and Russian rubles.
  • Germans make the largest number of voluntary donations in Europe, according to pan-European statistics.
  • Germany in this moment ranks third in the world in book printing. The number of new books last year was about 83,000 titles.
  • About a quarter of the 82 million Germans are aged 60 or over.
  • According to statistical research, in Germany, people over 50 have the highest purchasing power of any other age group. Pensioners are actively keeping up with the times: people aged 50 to 69 make up the fastest growing category of Internet users. Already, 4.5 million older people use the Internet in their daily lives.
  • The average human return, according to United Nations calculations, is 26.5 years. Germany is one of the oldest countries in the world - the average age of its inhabitants is 40.1 years.
  • About 6 million people speak Russian in Germany, more than all the rest foreign languages
  • For the first time the term "Germans" was used in the 1st century BC, for the name of the people who had the custom of drinking fried meat with a mixture of milk and undiluted wine;
  • The fine for a plucked flower is about 650 euros;
  • For noise from having sex, you face a fine of 20 euros;
  • Women who have been abandoned by their male partners have the right to bill for sex provided to them (The law is not current, but was in force until the mid-1980s).

What to bring from Germany:

  • Original beer containers, ceramic mugs with images of German cities and ancient castles;
  • The Berlin bear is a symbol of the city;
  • A stuffed Bavarian wolpertinger, they say that he lives in the Bavarian Alps, the character is an animal with the body of an owl, the head of a hare, the nose of a heron and the paws of a goose.
  • Nutcrackers, dolls, toy soldiers, angels and drummers made by hand traditional technologies used for more than half a century.
  • Postcards, books, antique dishes, coins, records, etc.