Germany (German: Deutschland, German pronunciation: [ˈdɔʏtʃlant]), officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, listen (help·info)),[g] is a country in Central and Western Europe, lying between the Baltic and North Seas to the north and the Alps, Lake Constance and the High Rhine to the south. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France to the southwest, and Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands to the west.
Germany includes 16 constituent states, covers an area of 357,386 square kilometres (137,988 sq mi),[7] and has a largely temperate seasonal climate. With 83 million inhabitants, it is the second most populous state of Europe after Russia, the most populous state lying entirely in Europe, as well as the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is a very decentralised country. Its capital and largest metropolis is Berlin, while Frankfurt serves as its financial capital and has the country’s busiest airport. Germany’s largest urban area is the Ruhr, with its main centres of Dortmund and Essen. The country’s other major cities are Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Bremen, Dresden, Hanover, and Nuremberg.
Various Germanic tribes have inhabited the northern parts of modern Germany since classical antiquity. A region named Germania was documentedbefore AD 100. During the Migration Period, the Germanic tribes expanded southward. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire.[13] During the 16th century, northern German regions became the centre of the Protestant Reformation. After the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, the German Confederation was formed in 1815. The German revolutions of 1848–49 resulted in the Frankfurt Parliament establishing major democratic rights.
In 1871, Germany became a nation state when most of the German states unified (except Switzerland and Austria) into the Prussian-dominated German Empire. After World War I and the revolution of 1918–19, the Empire was replaced by the parliamentary Weimar Republic. The Nazi seizure of power in 1933 led to the establishment of a dictatorship, the annexation of Austria, World War II, and the Holocaust. After the end of World War II in Europe and a period of Allied occupation, Austria was re-established as an independent country and two new German states were founded: West Germany, formed from the American, British, and French occupation zones, and East Germany, formed from the Soviet occupation zone. About a quarter of Germany’s pre-war territory was annexed by Poland and the Soviet Union leading to the expulsion of Germans. Following the Revolutions of 1989 that ended communist rule in Central and Eastern Europe, the country was reunified on 3 October 1990.[14]
Today, the sovereign state of Germany is a federal parliamentary republic led by a chancellor. It is a great power with a strong economy; it has the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, and the fifth-largest by PPP. As a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is both the world’s third-largest exporter and importer of goods. As a highly developed country with a very high standard of living, it upholds a social security and universal health care system, environmental protection, and a tuition-free university education.
The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the European Economic Community in 1957 and the European Union in 1993. It is part of the Schengen Area and became a co-founder of the Eurozone in 1999. Germany is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the G7, the G20, and the OECD. Known for its rich cultural history, Germany has been continuously the home of influential and successful artists, philosophers, writers, musicians, film people, sportspeople, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, and inventors. Germany has a large number of World Heritage sites and is among the top tourism destinations in the world.
Photo Credits:
Photo by DAVIDCOHEN on Unsplash
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash
Photo by Mathias Konrath on Unsplash
Tweets
If you are missing Germany you may find our collection of German music, virtual travel experiences & delicious recipes inspiring for when we can travel again. You can also test your knowledge about Germany in our quiz. Check it out: https://t.co/9x78916NMH
Colors are back in stock 🎨
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#picoftheweek by @andy_draeger.
Can you guess which of the following four pictures is the odd one out and why? The clue is Bundesland 😀
Do you have a favourite place in Germany? Please help us to help you. We would love to see your input at https://t.co/9o1eaBUqvD to help us create a new 2021 Top 100 sights & attractions for Germany.
And a last one 😉
Snowy landscapes after 40cm of fresh #snow.
Last weekend in the region kleiner #Heuberg in Baden-Wuerttemberg #germany
#snowHour
Wintertime in Germany #snowfall #snow #Germany
Pass the pigs, mushrooms and chimneysweeps 🐷 🍄 🔥 We're all in need of some good luck...
Join @RachelStewart04 on the hunt for lucky charms and happiness for #MeettheGermans
Among one of the most popular TV series last year on Netflix was The Queen's Gambit. Have you seen it? From the Spandau town hall to the Bode Museum, did you notice how much was filmed in Berlin? If you are a fan, have a look here:
https://t.co/WGpsf2HKA6
Tecklenburg, Germany 🇩🇪
From fairytale castles & decadent palaces to pristine alpine forests & loads of quaint towns & cities, Germany offers something to suit almost everyone. To remind you of the best German travel highlights, have a look here: https://t.co/Wx39Ux3OO0
Nymphenburg Palace covered in thick blanket of Snow !!
#Bavaria #Germany #TravelVlog #Vlogger #TravelVlogger #Traveller #AoonTheTraveller #germanytoday #germanytourism #germany_fotos #Bayernliebe #VisitBavaria #deinbayern #antennebayern #wirinbayern #roamtheplanet #artofvisuals
Can't decide where to go next in Germany, then our Messenger Chatbot can be a really useful tool. Just answer a few questions & it will find your perfect destination. Try it, it's great fun. Just make sure you click on "Get Started" once you've clicked on https://t.co/77yKXOQOz9
What lurks in the mist? 🌫
#Germany #snow #WINTER #winterberg #photography #photooftheday #photographer #forest #hiking #picoftheday #mist #foggy
What's for dinner today? If you haven't decided yet, how about some Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat & Bratwurst? It's a marriage made in heaven. All you need is some firm & flavourful new potatoes, white wine vinegar and onions.
https://t.co/yyYz0GAht3
Frozen Wannsee lake and snow in Düppeler Forst in Berlin-Wannsee. I am astonished how great this year's winter in the capital of Germany is, especially when living in a more rural area in the very South or North in Berlin like me.
Frankfurt's skyline is truly unique. From the Main Tower's rooftop observation platform, 200 metres above the city centre, one can get a spectacular view of everything that's going on below.
Saxony is one of those wonderful destinations in Germany where you can find an excellent variety of historical sights & unusual natural wonders. Whilst we wait to travel again, let us inspire you with some must-see virtual travel experiences: https://t.co/yZKd7cXHxX
It's still winter wonderland time: #Fichtelberg, covered in snow. #Saxony's highest mountain rises to 1,214.6 metres above sea level and is located in the #OreMountains. Put it on your list for when travel is possible again ...
And now for something completely different … 😆✨Der Darth Snow von Heinersreuth 🖤❄️ Danke Markus Gottwald für das passende Bild aus Oberfranken zum #WelttagDesSchneemanns #worlddayofsnowman #darthvader #starwars #funnystarwars #franken
#Wiesbaden, with its 15 thermal and mineral springs, is one of the oldest health spas in Europe. Guests can also relax by walking along the Rhine Promenade and exploring vast river landscapes, leas and green spacing by watching boats float by on the Rhine River. #WeAreGermany
12 Great Germany Travel Tips for Culture and Nature Lovers 🇩🇪 #DiscoverGermanyFromHome #Germany #FridayFeeling
>>>https://t.co/0kzfgFPALw
Do you enjoy speaking German? If you do, have a look at the BBC's Teach website: https://t.co/FaERm97quo Starring young bloggers from around Germany, they have a great way to teach you many more new German words & useful grammar which you'll be able to use when you next visit 🇩🇪
If you are already planning your summer holiday, how about considering a night hanging in the trees with breath-taking views of the Saarschleife? If you like the idea, check out: https://t.co/h7FrnN1U3M
Do you have a deep desire or are aching to travel again? The perfect word to describe that feeling is "Fernweh". As yet there is no English 🇬🇧 translation. Can you think of any other German 🇩🇪 words which can't be translated? "Wanderlust" is in the Oxford dictionary 😀
Snow covered trees in Offenburg, southern Germany today.
Mainau is the third-largest island on Lake Constance. It's a paradise where you can enjoy incredible floral gardens & pretty terraces with fantastic views of the lake & the alps in the distance. At the heart of the island is a baroque palace – home to a genuine count! 🏰
Do you remember Helmut Kohl? His favourite meal was Pfälzer Saumagen. He loved it so much that he had it served for his VIP guests, including Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan & Bill Clinton.
Have you tried it?
Check out our recipe: https://t.co/91t7HhKFd1
Germany offers a bit of everything!
I really want to see more forests in Germany, more countryside, more mountains!🌳🏔🏕
Here are 8 places I want to go and you can too in the future!😀🇩🇪⬇️
#AD #DiscoverGermanyFromHome @VisitGermanyUK @BeBlogilicious
https://t.co/WmI6dqxzYw
Even though we can't travel at the moment, there's nothing stopping us from virtually enjoying the Bavarian way of life at home. For some virtual travel fun, check out https://t.co/ePLhioA6mb
Germany's @zugspitze2962 ski area say that although the slopes are currently closed by their government they would still like to clear the snow, if they could remember where they left their groomers...
Frozen snow trees in Bayern Germany 🇩🇪
From wonderful historic cities to epic forest hikes, super beer gardens to riverside retreats, Germany is an epic country to visit & here's my top 3 itineraries for the perfect trip...
https://t.co/X53n7Sl3xE
#BWSP #ad
@BeBlogilicious @VisitGermanyUK
#DiscoverGermanyFromHome
*NEW POST* #AD
Planning a trip to Germany for when we can travel again just got even easier!
Now you can use the German Information Skill Capsule on Alexa to give you ideas!
See how here!😀🇩🇪⬇️
#DiscoverGermanyFromHome @VisitGermanyUK @BeBlogilicious
https://t.co/WmI6dqxzYw
There's no doubt that Germany is famous for having the best beers & wines but which drink do you prefer if you only have one choice? Do you prefer beer or wine?
Fairytale conditions in our area. Winter can be wonderful #vogtland #Germany #snow #landscape #WINTER
Today's star picture is of Lichtenstein Castle. Perched on the edge of a cliff; the fairytale castle offers incredible views of the Echaz valley near Reutlingen. For a virtual walk around, simply click on the picture:
Get inspired and find your well-being moment 📚✨ #visitberlinlater
https://t.co/IuXV2elh6Q
From Baden to Saxony, did you know that Germany has an incredible 13 wine-growing regions? Each region has a unique character, just like the wines they produce. What they all have are lots of quaint villages & unbelievable sceneries.
My film about #cycling the former border that divided East Germany & West Germany launches tonight at 7pm: https://t.co/DZavVaT7KG The border fell when I was 10, living in East Germany, so the Q&A at 7.15pm will tell you more about my personal experiences: https://t.co/dasnipgvv1
@TheMarkleSammy Beautiful white powder snow in Germany😘❄️⛄️ ❄️
Simply inspiring, enjoy 15 seconds of beautiful Germany. Amazing, isn't it?
What are we missing about travel?
Wandering around GORGEOUS European towns and cities.
And Germany has them by the bucket load! Take a look > https://t.co/c3jsh86raN
#wlg #ad
@VisitGermanyUK
I live in a Christmas card apparently...
#snow #beautiful #Germany
Do you think you have what it takes to go paragliding in Garmisch-Partenkirchen once we can travel again? It's a fantastic way to enjoy the glorious views of the stunning alpine landscape and to let yourself be carried away by the ultimate feeling of freedom.
We love 😍 it when it snows ☃️ in Germany and there are plenty of snow-covered fairytale-like scenes in 🇩🇪 at the moment 😀
Germany
Heavy snowfall creates picturesque scenes in Taunus, Germany #weather #landscape
📷 Jan Eifert/DPA/Cover Images
The Brocken in the Harz Mountains is currently covered in thick snow. Check this out, the following article shows impressive footage of the Brocken Railway as it chugs through the snow-covered forests.
https://t.co/KvO6GGUPtI
The next time you read or watch a 🇩🇪 fairytale story why not think of Quedlinburg? A picture-perfect town near the Harz mountains 😍