Discover Germany

The Country

Germany or the Federal Republic of Germany ( Deutschland or Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is one of the world's leading industrialized countries, located in the heart of Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, to the west by France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic.
Germany is a democratic federal parliamentary nation, made up of 16 federal states (Länder or, more commonly, Bundesländer), which in certain spheres act independently of the Federation.
The Federal Republic of Germany is a member state of the United Nations, NATO the G8 and the G4 nations, and is a founding member of what is now the European Union. Since the re-unification in 1989 Germany is once more one of the biggest countries in Europe with its capital Berlin. Obviously, it contains many geographical features as varied as the shore of the Baltic and North Sea and the ecosystem of the Alps.
357,000 sq. km are home to 82 million people with almost 80% living in urban areas. Germany shares borders with Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. Germany's climate is almost as varied as its country but mostly temperate or marine.
Extreme temperature lows and highs are rare. Winter temperatures vary from west to east, with about freezing temperatures in the west and well below freezing in eastern Germany. Summer temperatures are typically between 20 and 30°C, with more rainfall during the summer. Frequent changes of weather make prognosis difficult. To be on the save side take a sweater or weather protection with you.
Possessing a storybook landscape of rolling hills, placid lakes generously specking its regions, and a coastline studded with stunning beaches, Germany is a land of outstanding beauty and splendor. Visit Germany's wine country and feast your eyes and your taste buds on the region's numerous small visitor-friendly vineyards. Indulge in any of Germany's over 300 spas and health resorts and pamper yourself in a relaxing holistic approach to stress reduction. Savor an authentic German lunch of sausage (Wurst), potato salad and Germany's world-famous apple strudel while unwinding in a modest Gasthof or café. Experience Germany's diverse cultural and social scenes in one of the many theatre and opera houses, all-night discos, and numerous nightclub venues. Lastly, to achieve the ultimate Germanic experience remember to greet the Germans with Guten Tag, or Auf Wiedersehen before departing, in this magnificent country filled with beauty and excitement!