Revised Germany Information

Ryan Krebs

ENGL 191 sec.21

Germany

Germany is a country located in Europe. Germany has the largest economy in Europe. German people enjoy a high standard of living; according to the CIA World Fact Book Germans have an average income of $34,500. The country produces many goods, including luxury car brands like BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Audi. The capital of Germany is Berlin. According to the CIA World Fact Book Germany is made up of 16 different states. The northern part of the country is mostly lowlands, while the south is mostly mountainous. Germany has a negative population growth rate. Germany’s currency is the Euro. According to the web page German Missions in the United States, the population of Germany is 82.3 million people.

Germany is a country with some long lasting traditions. One of these traditions is the celebration of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest takes place annual in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Many people come to Munich each year to celebrate Oktoberfest. One of the more popular activities at Oktoberfest is beer drinking. Germans love their beer, there are over 1300 breweries in Germany according to the web page German Missions in the United States and Germans can start legally drinking it at age sixteen. Since the drinking age is 16, Germans have a different view on drinking than Americans do. Drinking is a socially activity in Germany. Another popular tradition in Germany is their Christmas markets. Every year, for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, Christmas markets are set up in most cities and towns across Germany. The biggest of these markets takes place in Nuremburg. German people love to play soccer. In 2006 Germany hosted the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup did more things than just bring in soccer teams from around the world. It brought back a feeling of pride in Germany. For the first time in a long time, German people were proud to be from Germany again, and this could be seen throughout Germany with little German flags being flown on peoples cars. Up until the 2006 World Cup, it would have been very rare to see someone flying a German flag. German people are very nice. They feel as if they have to be nice because of all the bad things that happened in their past and they feel as if they cannot afford to do any more harm.

Some famous sites in Germany include Neuschwanstein castle in southern Germany. King Ludwig II built Neuschwanstein. King Ludwig died before the castle was ever finished and his cause of death is still a mystery today. King Ludwig II was the king of Bavaria. He was often referred to as Mad King Ludwig. He loved music. His favorite musician was Wagner. Neuschwanstein castle is the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s castle in Orlando, Florida. Walt Disney drove by the castle while he was serving in the army. Other famous sites include the many concentration camps across Germany. Tours are offered at many of these. If you happen to see German school children at one of these, don’t be surprised because it is a requirement that all German school children visit a concentration camp.