You are here: Main > Countries > Germany

Germany

Guten Tag!   Welcome to Germany.

FL00276_.wmf (552 bytes)

j0160622.wmf (6226 bytes)

j0162034.wmf (39122 bytes)

Germany's People
German people come from many different background and ethnicities.   Since 1990, when Germany was reunited, more than one million people have moved into the country.

German people greet each other with a handshake or a kiss on each cheek.  Until a person is known, conversation is very formal. 

German people wear modern clothes.    On special occasions and festivals they may wear traditional costumes.    Traditional clothes for women and girls is a dress called a dirndl.    A dirndl has a lacy blouse and a colorful, full skirt.  Traditional clothing for men and boys are called lederhosen.  Lederhosen are overall shorts that are worn with a white shirt, long socks, and an alpine hat.

Germany's Homes
The people of Germany live in modern homes.  In the cities, people live in apartments, row homes, and single homes.  In the countryside, people live in simple homes with land for farming.  Most homes are made of brick, wood, and stone.

Germany's Culture
Many important people who have contributed to Germany's culture are known throughout the world.  Germany's many famous people in history include classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms and the Grimm brothers, authors of famous fairytales including Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  Germany is also famous for its beautiful castles that can be found in the countryside that were built by kings in the Middle Ages. 

EN00226_.wmf (20910 bytes)

BD08874_.wmf (33294 bytes)

Germany's Foods
Germany is famous for its sausages and cheeses.  It is said that there are over 1,000 different types of German sausage.  Sausages are often served with sauerkraut and beer.  Germans usually eat a large meal in the afternoon and a smaller meal in the evening. 

A typical German breakfast is cold meat, rolls with jam, and cheese.  Meats and potatoes are often served for a large lunch.

Germany's Activities
Skiing, soccer (called football), cycling, boating, and tennis are all popular activities in Germany.  Germany has many of the world's best athletes.    Steffi Graf is a world famous tennis player and the German national soccer team has won the World Cup in soccer several times.

Germany's Animals
Germany's forests, the Black Forest and the Bavarian Forest, are home to wild pig, fox, and deer.

 j0305667.wmf (8288 bytes)

j0089604.wmf (36384 bytes)

Germany's Holidays and Celebrations 
Oktoberfest is a traditional festival that Germans have every year.   The celebration began in October, 1810 when prince Ludwig and princess Therese were married.  They invited the whole town of Munich to a party.   Every year after, people have celebrated the occasion with Oktoberfest.   People dress in their traditional clothing, listen to music, dance and drink.
Germany's Land
Germany is located in the heart of Europe.  It is surrounded by nine countries including France, Austria, and Poland.   Until October 1990, Germany was divided in to East and West Germany.   Germany's countryside has many rolling hills to the south near the Bavarian Alps and has four major rivers.

Manufacturing is a major industry in Germany.  It is one of the top countries in manufacturing cars, trucks, boats, and electronics.

The autobahn is a major highway through Germany that is well known because in most parts of the highway there is no speed limit.   It is not unusual to see sports cars such as Porshes and BMWs traveling at almost 150 mph (250 kph).

Germany's Cities and Landmarks
The castle is built in the Bavarian Alps of Germany. Neuschwanstein is the most famous of three castles built by Louis II of Bavaria, also known as Mad King Louis.  The castle was built from 1869 to 1886 when King Louis died.  The castle was never finished.

BL00368_.wmf (14784 bytes)

TN00551_.wmf (10068 bytes)

j0160530.wmf (17744 bytes)

j0189508.jpg (51235 bytes) Germany's Facts:
Area: 137,826 sq mi.
Capital City: Berlin
Population: 83 million
Main Language: German
Currency: Deutsche Mark and euro
Industries:





References:
All images from Microsoft Office Clip Art and Gallery licensed through Microsoft Front Page and Microsoft.
Graham, Leland and Brandon, Traci.  A Trip Around the World.   North Carolina: Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company,  1996.
Graham, Leland and Brandon, Traci.  Another Trip Around the World.   North Carolina: Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company,  1996.
Adams, Ganeri, and Kay.  The DK Geography of the World.  New York: DK Publishing,  1996.

Please do not copy information, text, or images from this site without permission.
Copyright 1999-2003.