15 Curious Facts about Germany-Every country and culture is based on different habits and behavior. Here are some fun facts about Germany and Germans that you definitely need to know. 1. Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Yes, the country has a staggering population size of 83,517,000 people, and counting! And, even though Germany […]
Age-Gender Distribution in Germany-In the early 1990s, an age-gender distribution pyramid of unified Germany’s population displayed at its apex the legacy of heavy war casualties: a preponderance of elderly women too great to be explained by women’s greater longevity. Official statistics show that in 1990 there were approximately 2.7 million more females than males (41.2 million versus 38.5 […]
All Facts About Germany: A Comprehensive Guide to the Country-Germany, officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its rich history, cultural heritage, technological advancements, and stunning landscapes, Germany is a fascinating country that attracts millions of visitors each year. In this article, we will explore various aspects of Germany, from its geography […]
Asylum-Seekers In Germany-The right to asylum enjoys constitutional status in Germany Political persecutees are afforded asylum in Germany in accordance with Article 16a of the Basic Law (GG) of the Federal Republic of Germany. As in many other countries, the right to asylum is guaranteed in Germany not only on the basis of the obligation under international […]
Bundesbank-The single most important economic institution in Germany outside the federal government is the central bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank (commonly called the Bundesbank). It has the dominant voice in German monetary policy. Through that voice, it establishes and maintains a firm policy in favor of solid currency value within Germany and increasingly within the EU […]
Bundesrat of Germany-The second legislative chamber, the Bundesrat, is the federal body in which the sixteen Land governments are directly represented. It exemplifies Germany’s federalist system of government. Members of the Bundesrat are not popularly elected but are appointed by their respective Land governments. Members tend to be Land government ministers. The Bundesrat has sixty-nine members. The […]
Business and Industry as a Political Force in Germany-There are three levels at which business and industrial interests seek representation. First, business wants its perspective heard as the government formulates policy. Second, business needs representation in negotiations with labor unions. Third, business may desire support in cultivating new clients or suppliers. Each of these objectives is met by a separate umbrella organization. The […]
Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union-Following World War II, the Christian Democratic Union (Christlich Demokratische Union–CDU) was founded by a diverse group of Catholics and Protestants, businesspeople and trade unionists, and conservatives and moderates. The party espoused a Christian approach to politics and rejected both Nazism and communism. CDU members advocated conservative values and the benefits of a social market […]
Citizens’ Initiative Associations as a Political Force in Germany-In the early 1970s, a new form of political participation in the form of citizens’ initiative associations sprang up throughout West Germany. These associations, in essence nontraditional interest groups, were loosely and often temporarily organized groups of citizens mobilized in response to one particular local issue. Concerns ranged from school reform, urban redevelopment, and traffic […]
Climate In Germany-Although located mostly at latitudes north of the United States-Canadian border and thus closer to the Arctic Circle than to the equator, Germany’s climate is moderate and is generally without sustained periods of cold or heat. Northwestern and coastal Germany have a maritime climate caused by warm westerly winds from the North Sea; the climate […]
Creation of the Bundeswehr-In the summer of 1955, ten years after the Nazi surrender and the end of World War II, the West German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) voted to authorize the recruitment of volunteers for the initial formation of the Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces). Later in the year, a cadre of about 100 officers and NCOs […]
Culture of German Management-German management, as it has evolved over the centuries and has established itself since World War II, has a distinct style and culture. Like so many things German, it goes back to the medieval guild and merchant tradition, but it also has a sense of the future and of the long term. The German style […]
Degenerate Art – “Entartete Kunst”-In 1937 in Munich the Nazis held an art exhibition of what they called Entartete Kunst, or Degenerate Art. The purpose of the exhibition was to let the Germans know that some forms and pieces of art were not accepted by the “highest race”, and this art is “degenerate”, also called as Jewish or Bolshevistic. […]
Deutsche Mark – National German Currency-At the core of Germany’s success and influence lies its currency. The deutsche mark gave concrete expression to West Germany’s international financial and economic success and also contributed to it. Since unification, it has become even more important as a symbol as well as an instrument of Germany’s new central role in Europe. The success […]
Development of the Health Care System in Germany-Nearly everyone residing in Germany is guaranteed access to high-quality comprehensive health care. Statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung–GKV) has provided an organizational framework for the delivery of public health care and has shaped the roles of payers, insurance or sickness funds, and providers, physicians, and hospitals since the Health Insurance Act was adopted in 1883. […]
Dissidence and Terrorist Activity in Germany-Opposition to the West German government has existed since its inception in 1949, and, in keeping with German tradition, radical students have sometimes been in the front ranks of those protesting various policies and situations: the use of nuclear power and the presence of atomic weapons; the government’s policy toward the universities; and United States […]
Education in Germany-The Basic Law of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self-fulfillment. In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred occupation or profession whether it is through a business, engineering, or nursing degree. The goal of educational policy is therefore to provide […]
Education in Germany: A Comprehensive Overview-Germany, known for its robust economy and rich cultural history, also boasts one of the world’s most admired education systems. This comprehensive overview of education in Germany covers the structure, philosophy, and opportunities within this system, making it a valuable resource for international students, educators, and parents alike. Table of Contents Introduction to the German […]
Electoral System of Germany-The Basic Law guarantees the right to vote by secret ballot in direct and free elections to every German citizen eighteen years of age or older. To be eligible to vote, an individual must have resided in a constituency district for at least three months prior to an election. Officials who are popularly elected include […]
Elementary and Primary Education in Germany-The Basic Law of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self-fulfillment. In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred occupation or profession. The goal of educational policy is therefore to provide each citizen with opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and as […]
Ethnic Germans-Ethnic Germans have immigrated to Germany since the end of World War II. At first, these immigrants were Germans who had resided in areas that had formerly been German territory. Later, the offspring of German settlers who in previous centuries had settled in areas of Eastern Europe and Russia came to be regarded as ethnic […]
Extraparty Political Forces in Germany-German society is highly organized into associations that represent the occupational, socioeconomic, religious, and recreational interests of individuals–a tradition that dates back to the corporate guild system of the Middle Ages. Most Germans belong to at least one voluntary association, and many belong to several. The vast majority of these organizations (such as sports clubs) […]
Federal Police Agencies in Germany-Established in 1951, the Federal Border Force (Bundesgrenzschutz–BGS) was the first federal police organization permitted by the Allied occupation authorities. During the early 1950s, there were frequent incidents on the borders with East Germany and Czechoslovakia, and the occupation authorities became convinced of the need for a competent border police. Even though the BGS is […]
Federalism in Germany-Germany has a strong tradition of regional government dating back to the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Since unification in 1990, the Federal Republic has consisted of sixteen Laender: the ten Laender of the former West Germany, the five new Laender of the former East Germany, and Berlin. (However, Berlin and the eastern […]
Fertility in Germany-Despite the Berlin Wall and the fortified boundary that divided them, the two Germanys had many similar demographic developments in the postwar period. In the late 1950s and especially in the 1960s, both Germanys experienced a “baby boom,” stimulated by increased economic prosperity and a heightened sense of security. During the second half of the […]
Foreign Military Relations in Germany-Since the end of World War II, the military forces of six NATO Allies have been deployed in West Germany–first as occupation troops. Soviet troops were stationed in East Germany as part of the Warsaw Pact forces. Although the United States maintained the largest of the foreign NATO contingents, Britain and France also deployed substantial […]
Foreigners In Germany-A total of nearly 8.2 million people holding only foreign citizenship were registered in the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) at the end of 2014. This was the highest number of foreigners ever registered in Germany since the AZR was established in 1967. Compared with 2013, the number of foreigners rose by roughly 519,300 or […]
Free Democratic Party of Germany-The Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei–FDP) is much smaller than the CDU or SPD, but its limited electoral strength masks the party’s inordinate influence. Prior to the 1994 election, the FDP had experienced its worst results in national elections in 1969 (5.8 percent) and 1983 (7 percent). Both of those poor showings occurred following […]
German Air Force – Luftwaffe-The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has faced dramatic changes in structure and strategic concepts as a result of the diminished threat in Central Europe and shrinking budgetary resources for modernized weapons systems. Prior to the demise of the Warsaw Pact, the German air force had as its primary mission the air defense of Central Europe […]
German Army – Heer-In early 1995, the German army (Deutsches Heer), headquartered in Koblenz, had a personnel strength of appropriately 255,000, including 123,000 conscripts. German army was composed of two principal elements, the field army and the much smaller territorial army. Territorial army units were slated to be merged with the field army by the end of 1995. The […]
German Bundestag-The Bundestag is the principal legislative chamber, roughly analogous to the United States House of Representatives. The Bundestag has grown gradually since its creation, most dramatically with unification and the addition of 144 new representatives from eastern Germany, for a total of 656 deputies in 1990. A further expansion in 1994 increased the number to […]
German Dual Citizenship-While most nationalities must denounce their nationality in order to get German citizenship, German law permits certain people to hold two citizenships in certain circumstances. German dual citizenship can be granted in the following situations: Children with one German and one foreign parent, or a parent who has two citizenships, automatically acquire all the citizenships […]
German Economy-The Germans proudly label their economy a “soziale Marktwirtschaft ,” or “social market economy,” to show that the system as it has developed after World War II has both a material and a social–or human–dimension. They stress the importance of the term “market” because after the Nazi experience they wanted an economy free of state […]
German Education: An Overview of Excellence and Innovation-German education has long been recognized globally for its commitment to excellence and innovation. With a rich history and a strong emphasis on academic rigor, Germany’s education system has consistently produced highly skilled professionals across various fields. This article provides a comprehensive overview of German education, highlighting its key features, renowned institutions, and search engine […]
German Flag-The flag of Germany was adopted in its present form in 1919. It was readopted with the new constitution of 1949. It is a tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom). There are several theories regarding the origins of the German flag color scheme and its meaning. The […]
German Geography-Germany is located in the Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark. Roughly the size of Montana and situated even farther north, unified Germany has an area of 356,959 square kilometers. Extending 853 kilometers from its northern border with Denmark to the Alps in […]
German Government and Politics-As of mid 1995, Germany was a country coming to terms with the recent unification of its western and eastern portions following four decades of Cold War division. Achieved in October 1990, German unification consisted, in effect, of the incorporation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany) into the Federal Republic of Germany […]
German International Economic Relations-Ever since its creation in 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), or West Germany, as it was also called until its unification in 1990 with the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany), has played an increasingly important role in the world economy. Consistently among the most important trading nations in the world, Germany […]
German Nationality Law-On January 1, 2000 a new nationality law came into force in Germany. This law will help foreigners living in Germany to become German citizens. According to the new law, “At the heart of the reform is the supplementing of the traditional principle of descent (jus sanguinis) by the acquisition of nationality by birth. For […]
German Navy – Bundesmarine-The primary areas of operation of the German navy (Bundesmarine) in the event of war are the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Until 1990 the navy’s mission had been to block the Baltic approaches on behalf of NATO to prevent the deployment of the Soviet Baltic Fleet in the North Sea and the Atlantic […]
German Political Parties-Observers often describe political parties as critical stabilizing institutions in democratic systems of government. Because of the central role played by German political parties, many observers refer to Germany as a “party state.” The government of this type of state rests on the principle that competition among parties provides for both popular representation and political […]
German Population-The German population has reached a new record. In 2018, the population grew by 227,000 people, or 0.3 percent, as the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced in Wiesbaden. This is the first time in history that over 83 million people live in Germany. The exact figure at the end of the year was given by the Federal Office […]
German Prädikatswein System: A Detailed Guide to Understanding Germany’s Elite Wines-Germany’s winemaking heritage is both rich and distinguished, with its Prädikatswein system standing as a testament to the country’s commitment to quality and tradition. Prädikatswein, formerly known as Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP), represents the pinnacle of German wine classification, a tier that signifies excellence and a deep adherence to stringent quality standards. This article delves […]
German Society-Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German Ethnic groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Languages: German (official) note: Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romany are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romany are recognized as regional languages under […]
German Uniforms, Ranks, and Insignia-The service uniform is the most common type of Bundeswehr uniform for general duty and most off-post activity. The army’s service uniform consists of a light gray, single-breasted coat and darker gray trousers, worn with a light blue or white shirt, black tie, and black shoes. The peaked, visored cap has been replaced by the […]
Germany in the World Economy-Along with the United States and Japan, Germany has one of the world’s biggest economies and most dominant central banks. Of the three, Germany has the smallest and most vulnerable economy. Germany’s GDP of DM3 trillion is less than one-third of United States GDP and less than one-half of Japan’s. Despite Germany’s relatively small size, […]
Green Party of Germany-In the early years of the FRG, several minor parties representing a range of political views from the neo-Nazi right to the communist left played a role in the political system. Support for these parties dwindled over time, and, after 1961, the FDP was the only smaller party to cross the 5 percent threshold necessary […]
Health Care Providers in Germany-Germany’s principal health care providers are its physicians, dentists, and three types of hospitals (public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit). The health industry also includes large pharmaceutical companies and the manufacturers of various kinds of medical supplies. Public health departments, which are operated by the Länder, are not an important part of German health care. […]
Healthcare in Germany-The beginnings of the German health care system can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when craftsmen were members of guilds. The guilds provided an early form of health insurance based on the principle of solidarity: All guild members paid into a fund which was then used to help individual members if they had […]
How to Get a Work Permit for Germany-Obtaining a work permit for Germany is not always easy. Your success in the application process depends on various factors: your nationality, your occupation, even your annual salary. Here are the key aspects that you have to keep in mind. General Considerations Over the past few years, the German government has tried to encourage the […]
How to Get German Citizenship-Getting German Citizenship is one of the top questions we get so we have decided to summarize the information for those who are willing to get started. The German Foreign Office quite ominously warns on its website that “German citizenship law is relatively complicated” and that they can only answer “the issues which currently dominate […]
How to Move to Germany-If you do not want to completely say goodbye to your own country in order to live in Germany, permanent residency to guarantee you can stay long-term might be a better bet. Taking up residency in Germany can be a tricky topic that involves a fair bit of paperwork. This article will list the most […]
Immigration In Germany-Immigration has been a primary force shaping demographic developments in the two Germanys in the postwar period. After the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the immigration flow, first into West Germany and later into united Germany, consisted mainly of workers from southern Europe. In addition, the immigrants included several other groups: a small […]
Impact of Unification on German Economy-The East German and West German economies at the time of unification looked very similar. They both concentrated on industrial production, especially machine tools, chemicals, automobiles, and precision manufactures. Both had a well-trained labor force and an important export component, although their exports went largely in opposite directions. But the East German economy was highly […]
Internal Security in Germany-The German legal system is the product of many centuries of development, starting with the tribal laws of the first Germans. Those indigenous customs were influenced and changed under Roman law and later by the laws that prevailed in the Holy Roman Empire. Feudal law also had a strong influence. When more formal law and […]
Intrigue and Mystery of the Amber Room-The mystery of what is generally considered to be the greatest of the missing treasures of Europe – the Amber Room – is still unsolved. However, Europe does not give up, and the searches continue… The Amber Room is surely one of the most original and – since its disappearance in 1944 in the aftermath […]
Labour Unions as a Political Force in Germany-During the Weimar Republic, labor unions were divided along partisan lines, a situation that led to competition among the socialist, communist, Catholic, and liberal trade associations. After World War II, labor leaders wanted to break with the past and form a trade union federation independent of political parties. The result was the establishment of the […]
Land Police Agencies in Germany-Below the federal level, police forces are organized by the Laender and are collectively known as Land police (Landpolizei). The forces are organized by cities, towns, or rural communities, but all are integral components of the police forces of the Land in which they are located. The Land minister of interior supervises police operations in […]
Liebfraumilch Wine: Discovering Germany’s Sweet Secret-Nestled in the heart of Germany’s winemaking regions lies a sweet secret that has charmed palates for centuries: Liebfraumilch wine. This delectable white wine, known for its smooth, fruity flavor, has a history as rich as its taste. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through the vineyards of Germany, uncovering the history, production, […]
List of Universities in Germany – Education in Germany-Here you will find a list of web addresses for some well known German universities. Using the list of the universities below as a starting point, you can stand out from other students and you’ll join a fine and amazing elite who attended some of the top German universities. You should know: Education is free […]
Marriage and Family in Germany-Like most other advanced countries in the postwar era, Germany recorded fewer marriages, more divorces, and smaller families. In 1960 there were 690,000 marriages, compared with 516,000 in 1990. The total for 1993 amounted to only 442,000, but most of this decline was caused by a drop of than more 50 percent in the number […]
Metric Conversion Coefficients and Factors-Conversion Widget When you know Devide by To find Millimeters 0.04 inches Centimeters 0.39 inches Meters 3.3 feet Kilometers 0.62 miles Hectares 2.47 acres Square kilometers 0.39 square miles Cubic meters 35.3 cubic feet Liters 0.26 gallons Kilograms 2.2 pounds Metric tons 0.98 long tons 1.1 short tons 2,204 pounds Degrees Celsius (Centigrade) 1.8 and add […]
Military Justice in Germany-Members of the German armed forces are subject to the civil criminal code and are tried for common criminal offenses in the civil court system. There are no military correction facilities; incarcerated military offenders serve their sentences in ordinary civilian prisons. Soldiers enjoy the same civil rights and liberties possessed by other citizens. They are […]
Mortality in Germany-In the postwar period, the former GDR developed a comprehensive health care system that made steady advances in reducing infant mortality and extending life expectancy for both men and women. Early in the postwar period, life expectancy in some categories was actually longer for East Germans than for West Germans, and infant mortality was lower […]
National Security in Germany-The Federal armed forces (Bundeswehr) of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, or West Germany) came into being in 1955. Assigned a solely defensive role, the Bundeswehr at its creation constituted the largest component of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ground forces in Central Europe. Throughout the Cold War, the fighter aircraft and air […]
Newspapers in Germany-West Germany has always had highly developed mass media. The independence of the press and its freedom from censorship are guaranteed in Article 5 of the Basic Law. Conversely, the communist regime in East Germany tightly controlled the media. Despite government censorship, East Germans were voracious newspaper and magazine readers. More than three dozen newspapers […]
Party of Democratic Socialism-The communist party that ran East Germany was the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands–SED). Founded in 1946, the SED controlled the government and the electoral process and supervised the omnipresent State Security Service (Staatssicherheitsdienst–Stasi). To be considered for important positions in East German government and society, membership in the party was a […]
Police Agencies in Germany-Law enforcement in Germany is conducted by federal, state and municipal law enforcement agencies. The Federal Police is a specialized force responsible for border protection, railway policing and aviation security. The federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany gives the 16 states (Länder) the authority to maintain their own police forces within their territory, […]
Population Distribution and Urbanization in Germany-Following unification, the Federal Republic encompassed 356,958 square kilometers and was one of the largest countries in Europe. With about 81.3 million people in mid-1995, it ranked second behind Russia in population among the countries of Europe. Unification actually reduced the Federal Republic’s population density, however, because East Germany, which had a large rural area, […]
Prussia’s Emergence as a Military Power-After the decline of the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia eventually emerged as the dominant power in central Europe. Prussia had been colonized and Germanized during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries by the Knights of the Teutonic Order, a military order of German monks that pushed back or overran the Slavs in the […]
Radio and Television in Germany-Radio and television are administered in a decentralized fashion as prescribed in the Basic Law. The intent behind the pattern of regional decentralization is to prevent the exploitation of the media by a strong national government, as had happened under the Nazi dictatorship. Germany has two public broadcasting corporations. The first, ARD, was established in […]
Reinheitsgebot-The Reinheitsgebot, literally “purity order”, sometimes called the “German Beer Purity Law” in English, is a series of regulations limiting the ingredients in beer in Germany and the states of the former Holy Roman Empire. The best-known version of the law was adopted in Bavaria in 1516, but similar regulations predate the Bavarian order, and […]
Religion in Germany-Roman Catholicism, one of Germany’s two principal religions, traces its origins there to the eighth-century missionary work of Saint Boniface. In the next centuries, Roman Catholicism made more converts and spread eastward. In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Knights of the Teutonic Order spread German and Roman Catholic influence by force of arms along […]
Riesling: The Crown Jewel of German Viticulture-In the verdant valleys and along the sloping hills of Germany’s countryside, there thrives a grape that has come to symbolize the pinnacle of the nation’s viticultural heritage. Riesling, with its vibrant acidity and kaleidoscope of flavors, is not merely a wine; it is a narrative of place, tradition, and the ceaseless pursuit of quality […]
Secondary Education in Germany-Secondary education, the third level of education, is divided into two levels: junior secondary education (also called intermediate secondary education) and senior secondary education. Upon completion of the Grundschule, students between the ages of ten and sixteen attend one of the following types of secondary schools: the Hauptschule, the Realschule, the Gymnasium, the Gesamtschule, or […]
Social Democratic Party of Germany-Founded in 1875, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands–SPD) is Germany’s oldest political party and its largest in terms of membership. After World War II, under the leadership of Kurt Schumacher, the SPD reestablished itself as an ideological party, representing the interests of the working class and the trade unions. The party’s […]
Spätburgunder: Germany’s Answer to Pinot Noir-The world of wine is replete with stories of regions and grapes, each with its unique character and history. Among these, the Spätburgunder stands out as Germany’s prestigious answer to the globally cherished Pinot Noir. This delicate and temperamental grape variety, known for its finesse and complexity, has found a particularly congenial home in the […]
Spreuerhofstrasse – World’s Narrowest Street-New York has Broadway. Paris, the Champs- Elysées. And Reutlingen? The provincial town in south-western Germany has Spreuerhofstrasse. Spreuerhofstrasse in the south-western town of Reutlingen is just 3.80 meters long and listed as the narrowest alley in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records, with a width of just 31 centimetres (12.2 inches). […]
Structure of German Society-Most of the workforce is employed in the services sector. West Germany completed the transition from an industrial economy to one dominated by the services sector in the 1970s, and by the late 1980s this sector employed two-thirds of the workforce. In contrast, when the Berlin Wall fell, East Germany still had not made this […]
Tertiary or Higher Education in Germany-With hundreds of respected universities to choose from as well as its location in the heart of Europe, it’s no wonder that Germany consistently ranks as one of the most popular countries in the world in which to study. There’s Berlin, steeped in history while maintaining a laid-back, trendy feel, and then there is Munich, […]
The Chancellor of Germany-The federal government consists of the chancellor and his or her cabinet ministers. As explained above, the Basic Law invests the chancellor with central executive authority. For that reason, some observers refer to the German political system as a “chancellor democracy.” The chancellor’s authority emanates from the provisions of the Basic Law and from his […]
The Churches as a Political Force in Germany-Religious associations represent a third major group of organized interests in the German policy process. The experience of the Third Reich had a profound influence on the postwar development of Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in the Federal Republic. Both espoused the view that moral responsibility extends to political responsibility and that passivity toward the […]
The Domestic Economy of Germany-The German economy is full of contradictions. It is modern but old-fashioned. It is immensely powerful but suffers from serious structural weaknesses. It is subject to national laws and rules but is so closely tied into the European Union that it is no longer truly independent. It has a central bank that controls European monetary […]
The Economic Miracle of Germany-The economic reforms and the new West German system received powerful support from a number of sources: investment funds under the European Recovery Program, more commonly known as the Marshall Plan; the stimulus to German industry provided by the diversion of other Western resources for Korean War production; and the German readiness to work hard […]
The Enchanting World of German Eiswein: A Journey Through Ice Wine Excellence-German Eiswein, or ice wine, represents a pinnacle of winemaking, a harmonious blend of nature’s whimsy and human craftsmanship. This luxurious and rare dessert wine, born from grapes frozen on the vine, is a testament to the patience and skill of German vintners. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the historical roots, intricate production process, […]
The German Constitution-The framers of the Federal Republic of Germany’s 1949 constitution sought to create safeguards against the emergence of either an overly fragmented, multiparty democracy, similar to the Weimar Republic (1918-33), or authoritarian institutions characteristic of the Nazi dictatorship of the Third Reich (1933-45). Thus, negative historical experience played a major role in shaping the constitution. […]
The German Military in Two World Wars-Prussian-German excellence in military matters was an accepted fact of life, but in the twentieth century the excessive accent on militarism led to two disastrous world wars. Germany’s insistence on building a fleet that could challenge Britain’s naval domination underscored German bellicosity and pushed Britain toward alignment with France and Russia. When World War I […]
The Legislature in German Politics-The heart of any parliamentary system of government is the legislature. Germany has a bicameral parliament. The two chambers are the Bundestag (Federal Diet or lower house) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council or upper house). Both chambers can initiate legislation, and most bills must be approved by both chambers, as well as the executive branch, […]
The Mass Media in Germany-Until 1990 Germany was a divided country. The media system of the former GDR was highly centralized and worked under the control of the Communist Party. It disappeared during the process of unification, but patterns of media usage still differ between East and West. Today, the major media production centers are located in the “old” […]
The President in Germany-Presidents of the Federal Republic of Germany, 1949- President Years in Office Former Party Affiliation Theodor Heuss 1949-59 FDP Heinrich Lübke 1959-69 CDU Gustav Heinemann 1969-74 SPD Walter Scheel 1974-79 FDP Karl Carstens 1979-84 CDU Richard von Weizsäcker 1984-94 CDU Roman Herzog 1994-1999 CDU Johannes Rau 1999-2004 SPD Horst Köhler 2004-2010 CDU Christian Wulff 2010-2012 […]
The Republikaner and the German People’s Union-On the opposite end of the political spectrum from the Greens are two parties of the far right, the Republikaner (Die Republikaner–REP), with about 23,000 members, and the German People’s Union (Deutsche Volksunion–DVU), with 26,000 members. As of mid- 1995, these two parties had not gained sufficient support to win seats in the Bundestag, but […]
The Rise of Monastic Winemaking in Germany: German Medieval Wine Culture-Germany, renowned for its rich winemaking traditions, has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the monastic communities that flourished during the Middle Ages. This period witnessed the rise of monastic winemaking, contributing to the development of German medieval wine culture. In this article, we delve into the captivating story of how monastic orders played a […]
Understanding the German Wine Label: A Comprehensive Guide-Navigating the world of German wine can be a complex journey, especially when it comes to understanding the labels. German wine labels are packed with information, but they can often seem like a puzzle to those unfamiliar with the language and the labeling system. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify German wine labels, making it […]
Vocational Education and Training in Germany-The German education system has been praised for its ability to provide quality general education combined with excellent specific training for a profession or a skilled occupation. In 1992 about 65 percent of the country’s workforce had been trained through vocational education. In the same year, 2.3 million young people were enrolled in vocational or […]
Women In German Society-For centuries, a woman’s role in German society was summed up and circumscribed by the three “K” words: Kinder (children), Kirche (church), and Küche (kitchen). Sometimes the fourth “K” is mentioned: Kleider (clothes). Throughout the 20th century, however, women have gradually won victories in their quest for equal rights. In 1919 they received the right […]
15 Curious Facts about Germany - Every country and culture is based on different habits and behavior. Here are some fun facts about Germany and Germans that you definitely need to know. 1. Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Yes, the country has a staggering population size of 83,517,000 people, and counting! And, even though Germany […]
Age-Gender Distribution in Germany - In the early 1990s, an age-gender distribution pyramid of unified Germany’s population displayed at its apex the legacy of heavy war casualties: a preponderance of elderly women too great to be explained by women’s greater longevity. Official statistics show that in 1990 there were approximately 2.7 million more females than males (41.2 million versus 38.5 […]
All Facts About Germany: A Comprehensive Guide to the Country - Germany, officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its rich history, cultural heritage, technological advancements, and stunning landscapes, Germany is a fascinating country that attracts millions of visitors each year. In this article, we will explore various aspects of Germany, from its geography […]
Asylum-Seekers In Germany - The right to asylum enjoys constitutional status in Germany Political persecutees are afforded asylum in Germany in accordance with Article 16a of the Basic Law (GG) of the Federal Republic of Germany. As in many other countries, the right to asylum is guaranteed in Germany not only on the basis of the obligation under international […]
Bundesbank - The single most important economic institution in Germany outside the federal government is the central bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank (commonly called the Bundesbank). It has the dominant voice in German monetary policy. Through that voice, it establishes and maintains a firm policy in favor of solid currency value within Germany and increasingly within the EU […]
Bundesrat of Germany - The second legislative chamber, the Bundesrat, is the federal body in which the sixteen Land governments are directly represented. It exemplifies Germany’s federalist system of government. Members of the Bundesrat are not popularly elected but are appointed by their respective Land governments. Members tend to be Land government ministers. The Bundesrat has sixty-nine members. The […]
Business and Industry as a Political Force in Germany - There are three levels at which business and industrial interests seek representation. First, business wants its perspective heard as the government formulates policy. Second, business needs representation in negotiations with labor unions. Third, business may desire support in cultivating new clients or suppliers. Each of these objectives is met by a separate umbrella organization. The […]
Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union - Following World War II, the Christian Democratic Union (Christlich Demokratische Union–CDU) was founded by a diverse group of Catholics and Protestants, businesspeople and trade unionists, and conservatives and moderates. The party espoused a Christian approach to politics and rejected both Nazism and communism. CDU members advocated conservative values and the benefits of a social market […]
Citizens’ Initiative Associations as a Political Force in Germany - In the early 1970s, a new form of political participation in the form of citizens’ initiative associations sprang up throughout West Germany. These associations, in essence nontraditional interest groups, were loosely and often temporarily organized groups of citizens mobilized in response to one particular local issue. Concerns ranged from school reform, urban redevelopment, and traffic […]
Climate In Germany - Although located mostly at latitudes north of the United States-Canadian border and thus closer to the Arctic Circle than to the equator, Germany’s climate is moderate and is generally without sustained periods of cold or heat. Northwestern and coastal Germany have a maritime climate caused by warm westerly winds from the North Sea; the climate […]
Creation of the Bundeswehr - In the summer of 1955, ten years after the Nazi surrender and the end of World War II, the West German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) voted to authorize the recruitment of volunteers for the initial formation of the Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces). Later in the year, a cadre of about 100 officers and NCOs […]
Culture of German Management - German management, as it has evolved over the centuries and has established itself since World War II, has a distinct style and culture. Like so many things German, it goes back to the medieval guild and merchant tradition, but it also has a sense of the future and of the long term. The German style […]
Degenerate Art – “Entartete Kunst” - In 1937 in Munich the Nazis held an art exhibition of what they called Entartete Kunst, or Degenerate Art. The purpose of the exhibition was to let the Germans know that some forms and pieces of art were not accepted by the “highest race”, and this art is “degenerate”, also called as Jewish or Bolshevistic. […]
Deutsche Mark – National German Currency - At the core of Germany’s success and influence lies its currency. The deutsche mark gave concrete expression to West Germany’s international financial and economic success and also contributed to it. Since unification, it has become even more important as a symbol as well as an instrument of Germany’s new central role in Europe. The success […]
Development of the Health Care System in Germany - Nearly everyone residing in Germany is guaranteed access to high-quality comprehensive health care. Statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung–GKV) has provided an organizational framework for the delivery of public health care and has shaped the roles of payers, insurance or sickness funds, and providers, physicians, and hospitals since the Health Insurance Act was adopted in 1883. […]
Dissidence and Terrorist Activity in Germany - Opposition to the West German government has existed since its inception in 1949, and, in keeping with German tradition, radical students have sometimes been in the front ranks of those protesting various policies and situations: the use of nuclear power and the presence of atomic weapons; the government’s policy toward the universities; and United States […]
Education in Germany - The Basic Law of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self-fulfillment. In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred occupation or profession whether it is through a business, engineering, or nursing degree. The goal of educational policy is therefore to provide […]
Education in Germany: A Comprehensive Overview - Germany, known for its robust economy and rich cultural history, also boasts one of the world’s most admired education systems. This comprehensive overview of education in Germany covers the structure, philosophy, and opportunities within this system, making it a valuable resource for international students, educators, and parents alike. Table of Contents Introduction to the German […]
Electoral System of Germany - The Basic Law guarantees the right to vote by secret ballot in direct and free elections to every German citizen eighteen years of age or older. To be eligible to vote, an individual must have resided in a constituency district for at least three months prior to an election. Officials who are popularly elected include […]
Elementary and Primary Education in Germany - The Basic Law of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self-fulfillment. In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred occupation or profession. The goal of educational policy is therefore to provide each citizen with opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and as […]
Ethnic Germans - Ethnic Germans have immigrated to Germany since the end of World War II. At first, these immigrants were Germans who had resided in areas that had formerly been German territory. Later, the offspring of German settlers who in previous centuries had settled in areas of Eastern Europe and Russia came to be regarded as ethnic […]
Federal Police Agencies in Germany - Established in 1951, the Federal Border Force (Bundesgrenzschutz–BGS) was the first federal police organization permitted by the Allied occupation authorities. During the early 1950s, there were frequent incidents on the borders with East Germany and Czechoslovakia, and the occupation authorities became convinced of the need for a competent border police. Even though the BGS is […]
Federalism in Germany - Germany has a strong tradition of regional government dating back to the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Since unification in 1990, the Federal Republic has consisted of sixteen Laender: the ten Laender of the former West Germany, the five new Laender of the former East Germany, and Berlin. (However, Berlin and the eastern […]
Fertility in Germany - Despite the Berlin Wall and the fortified boundary that divided them, the two Germanys had many similar demographic developments in the postwar period. In the late 1950s and especially in the 1960s, both Germanys experienced a “baby boom,” stimulated by increased economic prosperity and a heightened sense of security. During the second half of the […]
Foreign Military Relations in Germany - Since the end of World War II, the military forces of six NATO Allies have been deployed in West Germany–first as occupation troops. Soviet troops were stationed in East Germany as part of the Warsaw Pact forces. Although the United States maintained the largest of the foreign NATO contingents, Britain and France also deployed substantial […]
Foreigners In Germany - A total of nearly 8.2 million people holding only foreign citizenship were registered in the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) at the end of 2014. This was the highest number of foreigners ever registered in Germany since the AZR was established in 1967. Compared with 2013, the number of foreigners rose by roughly 519,300 or […]
Free Democratic Party of Germany - The Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei–FDP) is much smaller than the CDU or SPD, but its limited electoral strength masks the party’s inordinate influence. Prior to the 1994 election, the FDP had experienced its worst results in national elections in 1969 (5.8 percent) and 1983 (7 percent). Both of those poor showings occurred following […]
German Air Force – Luftwaffe - The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has faced dramatic changes in structure and strategic concepts as a result of the diminished threat in Central Europe and shrinking budgetary resources for modernized weapons systems. Prior to the demise of the Warsaw Pact, the German air force had as its primary mission the air defense of Central Europe […]
German Army – Heer - In early 1995, the German army (Deutsches Heer), headquartered in Koblenz, had a personnel strength of appropriately 255,000, including 123,000 conscripts. German army was composed of two principal elements, the field army and the much smaller territorial army. Territorial army units were slated to be merged with the field army by the end of 1995. The […]
German Bundestag - The Bundestag is the principal legislative chamber, roughly analogous to the United States House of Representatives. The Bundestag has grown gradually since its creation, most dramatically with unification and the addition of 144 new representatives from eastern Germany, for a total of 656 deputies in 1990. A further expansion in 1994 increased the number to […]
German Dual Citizenship - While most nationalities must denounce their nationality in order to get German citizenship, German law permits certain people to hold two citizenships in certain circumstances. German dual citizenship can be granted in the following situations: Children with one German and one foreign parent, or a parent who has two citizenships, automatically acquire all the citizenships […]
German Economy - The Germans proudly label their economy a “soziale Marktwirtschaft ,” or “social market economy,” to show that the system as it has developed after World War II has both a material and a social–or human–dimension. They stress the importance of the term “market” because after the Nazi experience they wanted an economy free of state […]
German Education: An Overview of Excellence and Innovation - German education has long been recognized globally for its commitment to excellence and innovation. With a rich history and a strong emphasis on academic rigor, Germany’s education system has consistently produced highly skilled professionals across various fields. This article provides a comprehensive overview of German education, highlighting its key features, renowned institutions, and search engine […]
German Flag - The flag of Germany was adopted in its present form in 1919. It was readopted with the new constitution of 1949. It is a tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom). There are several theories regarding the origins of the German flag color scheme and its meaning. The […]
German Geography - Germany is located in the Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark. Roughly the size of Montana and situated even farther north, unified Germany has an area of 356,959 square kilometers. Extending 853 kilometers from its northern border with Denmark to the Alps in […]
German Government and Politics - As of mid 1995, Germany was a country coming to terms with the recent unification of its western and eastern portions following four decades of Cold War division. Achieved in October 1990, German unification consisted, in effect, of the incorporation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany) into the Federal Republic of Germany […]
German International Economic Relations - Ever since its creation in 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), or West Germany, as it was also called until its unification in 1990 with the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany), has played an increasingly important role in the world economy. Consistently among the most important trading nations in the world, Germany […]
German Nationality Law - On January 1, 2000 a new nationality law came into force in Germany. This law will help foreigners living in Germany to become German citizens. According to the new law, “At the heart of the reform is the supplementing of the traditional principle of descent (jus sanguinis) by the acquisition of nationality by birth. For […]
German Navy – Bundesmarine - The primary areas of operation of the German navy (Bundesmarine) in the event of war are the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Until 1990 the navy’s mission had been to block the Baltic approaches on behalf of NATO to prevent the deployment of the Soviet Baltic Fleet in the North Sea and the Atlantic […]
German Political Parties - Observers often describe political parties as critical stabilizing institutions in democratic systems of government. Because of the central role played by German political parties, many observers refer to Germany as a “party state.” The government of this type of state rests on the principle that competition among parties provides for both popular representation and political […]
German Population - The German population has reached a new record. In 2018, the population grew by 227,000 people, or 0.3 percent, as the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced in Wiesbaden. This is the first time in history that over 83 million people live in Germany. The exact figure at the end of the year was given by the Federal Office […]
German Prädikatswein System: A Detailed Guide to Understanding Germany’s Elite Wines - Germany’s winemaking heritage is both rich and distinguished, with its Prädikatswein system standing as a testament to the country’s commitment to quality and tradition. Prädikatswein, formerly known as Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP), represents the pinnacle of German wine classification, a tier that signifies excellence and a deep adherence to stringent quality standards. This article delves […]
German Society - Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German Ethnic groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Languages: German (official) note: Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romany are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romany are recognized as regional languages under […]
German Uniforms, Ranks, and Insignia - The service uniform is the most common type of Bundeswehr uniform for general duty and most off-post activity. The army’s service uniform consists of a light gray, single-breasted coat and darker gray trousers, worn with a light blue or white shirt, black tie, and black shoes. The peaked, visored cap has been replaced by the […]
Germany in the World Economy - Along with the United States and Japan, Germany has one of the world’s biggest economies and most dominant central banks. Of the three, Germany has the smallest and most vulnerable economy. Germany’s GDP of DM3 trillion is less than one-third of United States GDP and less than one-half of Japan’s. Despite Germany’s relatively small size, […]
Green Party of Germany - In the early years of the FRG, several minor parties representing a range of political views from the neo-Nazi right to the communist left played a role in the political system. Support for these parties dwindled over time, and, after 1961, the FDP was the only smaller party to cross the 5 percent threshold necessary […]
Health Care Providers in Germany - Germany’s principal health care providers are its physicians, dentists, and three types of hospitals (public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit). The health industry also includes large pharmaceutical companies and the manufacturers of various kinds of medical supplies. Public health departments, which are operated by the Länder, are not an important part of German health care. […]
Healthcare in Germany - The beginnings of the German health care system can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when craftsmen were members of guilds. The guilds provided an early form of health insurance based on the principle of solidarity: All guild members paid into a fund which was then used to help individual members if they had […]
How to Get a Work Permit for Germany - Obtaining a work permit for Germany is not always easy. Your success in the application process depends on various factors: your nationality, your occupation, even your annual salary. Here are the key aspects that you have to keep in mind. General Considerations Over the past few years, the German government has tried to encourage the […]
How to Move to Germany - If you do not want to completely say goodbye to your own country in order to live in Germany, permanent residency to guarantee you can stay long-term might be a better bet. Taking up residency in Germany can be a tricky topic that involves a fair bit of paperwork. This article will list the most […]
Immigration In Germany - Immigration has been a primary force shaping demographic developments in the two Germanys in the postwar period. After the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the immigration flow, first into West Germany and later into united Germany, consisted mainly of workers from southern Europe. In addition, the immigrants included several other groups: a small […]
Impact of Unification on German Economy - The East German and West German economies at the time of unification looked very similar. They both concentrated on industrial production, especially machine tools, chemicals, automobiles, and precision manufactures. Both had a well-trained labor force and an important export component, although their exports went largely in opposite directions. But the East German economy was highly […]
Internal Security in Germany - The German legal system is the product of many centuries of development, starting with the tribal laws of the first Germans. Those indigenous customs were influenced and changed under Roman law and later by the laws that prevailed in the Holy Roman Empire. Feudal law also had a strong influence. When more formal law and […]
Intrigue and Mystery of the Amber Room - The mystery of what is generally considered to be the greatest of the missing treasures of Europe – the Amber Room – is still unsolved. However, Europe does not give up, and the searches continue… The Amber Room is surely one of the most original and – since its disappearance in 1944 in the aftermath […]
Labour Unions as a Political Force in Germany - During the Weimar Republic, labor unions were divided along partisan lines, a situation that led to competition among the socialist, communist, Catholic, and liberal trade associations. After World War II, labor leaders wanted to break with the past and form a trade union federation independent of political parties. The result was the establishment of the […]
Land Police Agencies in Germany - Below the federal level, police forces are organized by the Laender and are collectively known as Land police (Landpolizei). The forces are organized by cities, towns, or rural communities, but all are integral components of the police forces of the Land in which they are located. The Land minister of interior supervises police operations in […]
Liebfraumilch Wine: Discovering Germany’s Sweet Secret - Nestled in the heart of Germany’s winemaking regions lies a sweet secret that has charmed palates for centuries: Liebfraumilch wine. This delectable white wine, known for its smooth, fruity flavor, has a history as rich as its taste. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through the vineyards of Germany, uncovering the history, production, […]
List of Universities in Germany – Education in Germany - Here you will find a list of web addresses for some well known German universities. Using the list of the universities below as a starting point, you can stand out from other students and you’ll join a fine and amazing elite who attended some of the top German universities. You should know: Education is free […]
Marriage and Family in Germany - Like most other advanced countries in the postwar era, Germany recorded fewer marriages, more divorces, and smaller families. In 1960 there were 690,000 marriages, compared with 516,000 in 1990. The total for 1993 amounted to only 442,000, but most of this decline was caused by a drop of than more 50 percent in the number […]
Military Justice in Germany - Members of the German armed forces are subject to the civil criminal code and are tried for common criminal offenses in the civil court system. There are no military correction facilities; incarcerated military offenders serve their sentences in ordinary civilian prisons. Soldiers enjoy the same civil rights and liberties possessed by other citizens. They are […]
National Security in Germany - The Federal armed forces (Bundeswehr) of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, or West Germany) came into being in 1955. Assigned a solely defensive role, the Bundeswehr at its creation constituted the largest component of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ground forces in Central Europe. Throughout the Cold War, the fighter aircraft and air […]
Newspapers in Germany - West Germany has always had highly developed mass media. The independence of the press and its freedom from censorship are guaranteed in Article 5 of the Basic Law. Conversely, the communist regime in East Germany tightly controlled the media. Despite government censorship, East Germans were voracious newspaper and magazine readers. More than three dozen newspapers […]
Party of Democratic Socialism - The communist party that ran East Germany was the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands–SED). Founded in 1946, the SED controlled the government and the electoral process and supervised the omnipresent State Security Service (Staatssicherheitsdienst–Stasi). To be considered for important positions in East German government and society, membership in the party was a […]
Police Agencies in Germany - Law enforcement in Germany is conducted by federal, state and municipal law enforcement agencies. The Federal Police is a specialized force responsible for border protection, railway policing and aviation security. The federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany gives the 16 states (Länder) the authority to maintain their own police forces within their territory, […]
Population Distribution and Urbanization in Germany - Following unification, the Federal Republic encompassed 356,958 square kilometers and was one of the largest countries in Europe. With about 81.3 million people in mid-1995, it ranked second behind Russia in population among the countries of Europe. Unification actually reduced the Federal Republic’s population density, however, because East Germany, which had a large rural area, […]
Prussia’s Emergence as a Military Power - After the decline of the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia eventually emerged as the dominant power in central Europe. Prussia had been colonized and Germanized during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries by the Knights of the Teutonic Order, a military order of German monks that pushed back or overran the Slavs in the […]
Radio and Television in Germany - Radio and television are administered in a decentralized fashion as prescribed in the Basic Law. The intent behind the pattern of regional decentralization is to prevent the exploitation of the media by a strong national government, as had happened under the Nazi dictatorship. Germany has two public broadcasting corporations. The first, ARD, was established in […]
Reinheitsgebot - The Reinheitsgebot, literally “purity order”, sometimes called the “German Beer Purity Law” in English, is a series of regulations limiting the ingredients in beer in Germany and the states of the former Holy Roman Empire. The best-known version of the law was adopted in Bavaria in 1516, but similar regulations predate the Bavarian order, and […]
Religion in Germany - Roman Catholicism, one of Germany’s two principal religions, traces its origins there to the eighth-century missionary work of Saint Boniface. In the next centuries, Roman Catholicism made more converts and spread eastward. In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Knights of the Teutonic Order spread German and Roman Catholic influence by force of arms along […]
Riesling: The Crown Jewel of German Viticulture - In the verdant valleys and along the sloping hills of Germany’s countryside, there thrives a grape that has come to symbolize the pinnacle of the nation’s viticultural heritage. Riesling, with its vibrant acidity and kaleidoscope of flavors, is not merely a wine; it is a narrative of place, tradition, and the ceaseless pursuit of quality […]
Secondary Education in Germany - Secondary education, the third level of education, is divided into two levels: junior secondary education (also called intermediate secondary education) and senior secondary education. Upon completion of the Grundschule, students between the ages of ten and sixteen attend one of the following types of secondary schools: the Hauptschule, the Realschule, the Gymnasium, the Gesamtschule, or […]
Social Democratic Party of Germany - Founded in 1875, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands–SPD) is Germany’s oldest political party and its largest in terms of membership. After World War II, under the leadership of Kurt Schumacher, the SPD reestablished itself as an ideological party, representing the interests of the working class and the trade unions. The party’s […]
Spätburgunder: Germany’s Answer to Pinot Noir - The world of wine is replete with stories of regions and grapes, each with its unique character and history. Among these, the Spätburgunder stands out as Germany’s prestigious answer to the globally cherished Pinot Noir. This delicate and temperamental grape variety, known for its finesse and complexity, has found a particularly congenial home in the […]
Spreuerhofstrasse – World’s Narrowest Street - New York has Broadway. Paris, the Champs- Elysées. And Reutlingen? The provincial town in south-western Germany has Spreuerhofstrasse. Spreuerhofstrasse in the south-western town of Reutlingen is just 3.80 meters long and listed as the narrowest alley in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records, with a width of just 31 centimetres (12.2 inches). […]
Tertiary or Higher Education in Germany - With hundreds of respected universities to choose from as well as its location in the heart of Europe, it’s no wonder that Germany consistently ranks as one of the most popular countries in the world in which to study. There’s Berlin, steeped in history while maintaining a laid-back, trendy feel, and then there is Munich, […]
The Chancellor of Germany - The federal government consists of the chancellor and his or her cabinet ministers. As explained above, the Basic Law invests the chancellor with central executive authority. For that reason, some observers refer to the German political system as a “chancellor democracy.” The chancellor’s authority emanates from the provisions of the Basic Law and from his […]
The Churches as a Political Force in Germany - Religious associations represent a third major group of organized interests in the German policy process. The experience of the Third Reich had a profound influence on the postwar development of Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in the Federal Republic. Both espoused the view that moral responsibility extends to political responsibility and that passivity toward the […]
The Domestic Economy of Germany - The German economy is full of contradictions. It is modern but old-fashioned. It is immensely powerful but suffers from serious structural weaknesses. It is subject to national laws and rules but is so closely tied into the European Union that it is no longer truly independent. It has a central bank that controls European monetary […]
The Economic Miracle of Germany - The economic reforms and the new West German system received powerful support from a number of sources: investment funds under the European Recovery Program, more commonly known as the Marshall Plan; the stimulus to German industry provided by the diversion of other Western resources for Korean War production; and the German readiness to work hard […]
The Enchanting World of German Eiswein: A Journey Through Ice Wine Excellence - German Eiswein, or ice wine, represents a pinnacle of winemaking, a harmonious blend of nature’s whimsy and human craftsmanship. This luxurious and rare dessert wine, born from grapes frozen on the vine, is a testament to the patience and skill of German vintners. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the historical roots, intricate production process, […]
The German Constitution - The framers of the Federal Republic of Germany’s 1949 constitution sought to create safeguards against the emergence of either an overly fragmented, multiparty democracy, similar to the Weimar Republic (1918-33), or authoritarian institutions characteristic of the Nazi dictatorship of the Third Reich (1933-45). Thus, negative historical experience played a major role in shaping the constitution. […]
The German Military in Two World Wars - Prussian-German excellence in military matters was an accepted fact of life, but in the twentieth century the excessive accent on militarism led to two disastrous world wars. Germany’s insistence on building a fleet that could challenge Britain’s naval domination underscored German bellicosity and pushed Britain toward alignment with France and Russia. When World War I […]
The Legislature in German Politics - The heart of any parliamentary system of government is the legislature. Germany has a bicameral parliament. The two chambers are the Bundestag (Federal Diet or lower house) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council or upper house). Both chambers can initiate legislation, and most bills must be approved by both chambers, as well as the executive branch, […]
The Mass Media in Germany - Until 1990 Germany was a divided country. The media system of the former GDR was highly centralized and worked under the control of the Communist Party. It disappeared during the process of unification, but patterns of media usage still differ between East and West. Today, the major media production centers are located in the “old” […]
The Republikaner and the German People’s Union - On the opposite end of the political spectrum from the Greens are two parties of the far right, the Republikaner (Die Republikaner–REP), with about 23,000 members, and the German People’s Union (Deutsche Volksunion–DVU), with 26,000 members. As of mid- 1995, these two parties had not gained sufficient support to win seats in the Bundestag, but […]
The Rise of Monastic Winemaking in Germany: German Medieval Wine Culture - Germany, renowned for its rich winemaking traditions, has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the monastic communities that flourished during the Middle Ages. This period witnessed the rise of monastic winemaking, contributing to the development of German medieval wine culture. In this article, we delve into the captivating story of how monastic orders played a […]
Understanding the German Wine Label: A Comprehensive Guide - Navigating the world of German wine can be a complex journey, especially when it comes to understanding the labels. German wine labels are packed with information, but they can often seem like a puzzle to those unfamiliar with the language and the labeling system. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify German wine labels, making it […]
Vocational Education and Training in Germany - The German education system has been praised for its ability to provide quality general education combined with excellent specific training for a profession or a skilled occupation. In 1992 about 65 percent of the country’s workforce had been trained through vocational education. In the same year, 2.3 million young people were enrolled in vocational or […]
Women In German Society - For centuries, a woman’s role in German society was summed up and circumscribed by the three “K” words: Kinder (children), Kirche (church), and Küche (kitchen). Sometimes the fourth “K” is mentioned: Kleider (clothes). Throughout the 20th century, however, women have gradually won victories in their quest for equal rights. In 1919 they received the right […]