1. Facts about Germany2. Historical background3. Politics4. Economy5. Language6. Education7. Religion8. Problems9. Traditions

Country in Central Europe Total Area: 357.000 km² Population: 82.2 Million

(January 2010)

Capital: Berlin Currency: Euro Language: German 16 federal states

1914 - 1918: World War I 1918 - 1933: Republic of Weimar 1933 - 1945: The era of National

Socialism 1949 - 1990: The two German States 1990: Reunification

federal, parliamentary, representative democratic republic

the fundamental principles of the constitution and the rule of law are valid in perpetuity

difficult for one party to form a government on its own -> alliance of parties

Christian Democrats Free Democrats Social Democrats Greens The Left Party Party of Democratic Socialism

Head of Government: Chancellor Angela Merkel

Head of State: Federal President Horst Köhler

high level of exports increase in trade with east European EU

member states trade and economic relations with China and

India grow continually

Exported goods Machinery Vehicles Chemicals Metals manufactures

2008: global financial crisis Export-driven economy Economic downturn

January 2009 stimulus plan to protect several sectors from a

downturn

Official language: German one of 23 official languages in the EU one of the three working languages of

the European Commission several German dialects traditional local varieties

Federal states individually responsible Optional kindergarten education between

three and six years School attendance compulsory for at least

nine years

Primary education: usually four years

Secondary education: 3 types of schools based on a pupil's skills

Preparation for vocational education

5 years

Hauptschule

Realschule

Gymnasium

Broader range of emphasis for intermediate students

6 years

Enrolls most gifted children

Preparation for university studies

8 years

Christianity 63% Protestants 32% Catholics 31% Islam 3% other religious communities 5% no registered religious denomination 29%

Demographics: low birth rate

Population growth rate: - 0.053% (2009 est.) birth rate smaller than death rate

increasing life expectancy shrinking population

ageing society

host to the third-highest number of international migrants worldwide

about 12% of the population of Germany

the largest national group of people with a migrant background from:

Turkey (2.5 million), Italy (761,000) Poland (638,000)

Standard of living lower in eastern part Higher unemployment Still societal and cultural divisions

Christmas markets Oktoberfest Carnival Easter

toys, food, and decorations Christmas music and plays

and puppet shows Typical food: mulled wine gingerbread hot chestnuts grilled sausages End of november until

Christmas

16-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria

is the biggest public festival in the world

About 6 mio. people every year 72% from Bavaria 15% from foreign countries Various attractions

CIA Fact book<https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html>

Facts about Germany<http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en/>

Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland<http://www.destatis.de>

German culture<http://www.germanculture.com.ua>

Thank you for your attention!