Federal Republic of Germany

Federal Republic of Germany
Flag Coat of arms
Capital and largest city	Berlin
Official languages	German
Government	Federal republic
• President	Frank-Walter Steinmeier
• Chancellor	Olaf Scholz
Legislature	Bundestag
Area
• Total	357,022 km2 (137,847 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 estimate	83,190,556
Currency	Euro (EUR)
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:DE |DE ]]

The Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. Germany is a federal republic consisting of 16 federal states (Bundesländer). The capital and largest city is Berlin.

History

Germany's history dates back to the Holy Roman Empire, which was established in the 10th century. After its dissolution in 1806, the German Confederation was formed in 1815. The unification of Germany into a politically and administratively integrated nation state officially occurred on 18 January 1871, at the Palace of Versailles. Germany became a federal republic after the World War II in 1949, following the division into East and West Germany during the Cold War era. The reunification of East and West Germany was completed on 3 October 1990.

Government and politics

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic. The President, currently Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is the head of state and invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. The Chancellor of Germany, currently Olaf Scholz, is the head of government and exercises executive power, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in other parliamentary democracies.

The legislative body is the Bundestag, which is elected through a system combining direct and proportional representation. The Bundesrat represents the regional states and participates in federal legislation.

Economy

Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world by nominal GDP. It is one of the world's largest exporters. Major industries include automobiles, machinery, chemicals, and electronics. Germany is a founding member of the European Union and the Eurozone.

Culture

Germany has been influential in the fields of philosophy, music, cinema, sports, and cuisine. Famous cultural figures include Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Werner Herzog. The country is known for its Oktoberfest, Christmas markets, and historical sites such as Neuschwanstein Castle and the Berlin Wall.

Geography

Germany is located in Western and Central Europe, with a diverse landscape that ranges from the North German Plain to the Bavarian Alps in the south. The Rhine, Danube and Elbe rivers are the major geographical features.

Demographics

Germany has a population of over 83 million people, making it the most populous country in the European Union. The official language is German. The country has a diverse population due to decades of immigration, and it has a significant number of residents with foreign roots.

Education

Germany is known for its high educational standards. The German educational system offers various pathways for students including universities, technical universities, and vocational schools. The country is home to some of the oldest universities in the world, such as the University of Heidelberg.

See also

• Politics of Germany
• Economy of Germany
• Culture of Germany
• Geography of Germany