Geography
Area: 357,000 sq. km. (137,821 sq. mi.); about the size of Montana.
Cities: Capital--Berlin (population about 3.4 million). Other
cities--Hamburg (1.7 million), Munich (1.2 million), Cologne
(964,000), Frankfurt (644,000), Essen (603,000), Dortmund (592,000),
Stuttgart (582,000), Dusseldorf (568,000), Bremen (543,000), Hanover
(516,000).
Terrain: Low plain in the north; high plains, hills, and basins in the
center and east; mountainous alpine region in the south.
Climate: Temperate; cooler and rainier than much of the United States.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--German(s).
Population (2001 est.): 83 million.
Ethnic groups: Primarily German; Danish minority in the north, Sorbian
(Slavic) minority in the east; 7.3 million foreign residents.
Christian singles note-Religions: Protestants (27.9 million) slightly
outnumber Roman Catholics (27.3 million); approximately 3.2 million
Muslims.
Language: German.
Education: Years compulsory--10; attendance--100%; literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (1998 est.)--5.0/1,000; life
expectancy (1999 est.)--women 80 years, men 74 years.
Persons employed (2001 avg.): 38.8 million; unemployed (2001 avg.):
3.9 million--9.1% of labor force.
Government
Type: Federal republic.
Founded: 1949 (Basic Law, i.e., Constitution, promulgated on May 23,
1949). On October 3, 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany and the
German Democratic Republic unified in accordance with Article 23 of
the F.R.G. Basic Law.
Branches: Executive--president (titular chief of state),
chancellor (executive head of government); legislative--bicameral
parliament; judicial--independent, Federal Constitutional
Court.
Administrative divisions: 16 Laender (states).
Major political parties: Social Democratic Party (SPD); Christian
Democratic Union (CDU); Christian Social Union (CSU); Alliance
90/Greens; Free Democratic Party (FDP); Party of Democratic Socialism
(PDS).
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
Economy
GDP (2001): $1.8 trillion.
Annual growth rate (2001): 0.6%; (2003 est.): 0.5%.
Per capita income: $22,900.
Inflation rate (consumer prices, 2001): 2.5%.
Natural resources: Iron, hard coal, lignite, potash, natural gas.
Agriculture (accounts for 1% of GDP): Products--corn, wheat,
potatoes, sugar, beets, barley, hops, viticulture, forestry,
fisheries.
Industry (34% of GDP): Types--iron and steel, coal, chemicals,
electrical products, ships, vehicles, construction.
Trade (2001): Exports--$628 billion: chemicals, motor vehicles,
iron and steel products, manufactured goods, electrical products. Major
markets--France, U.S., and U.K. Imports--$594 billion:
food, petroleum products, manufactured goods, electrical products,
motor vehicles, apparel. Major suppliers--France, U.S.,
Netherlands.
PEOPLE
Christian singles note-Most inhabitants of Germany are ethnic German.
There are, however, more than 7 million foreign residents, including
asylees, guest workers, and their dependents. Germany is a prime
destination for political and economic refugees from many developing
countries. An ethnic Danish minority lives in the north, and a small
Slavic minority known as the Sorbs lives in eastern Germany.
Germany has one of the world's highest levels of education,
technological development, and economic productivity. Since the end of
World War II, the number of youths entering universities has more than
tripled, and the trade and technical schools of the Federal Republic
of Germany (F.R.G.) are among the world's best. With a per capita
income level of more than $22,900, Germany is a broadly middle class
society. A generous social welfare system provides for universal
medical care, unemployment compensation, and other social needs.
Millions of Germans travel abroad each year.
With unification on October 3, 1990, Germany began the major task
of bringing the standard of living of Germans in the former German
Democratic Republic (G.D.R.) up to that of western Germany. This has
been a lengthy and difficult process due to the relative inefficiency
of industrial enterprises in the former G.D.R., difficulties in
resolving property ownership in eastern Germany, and the inadequate
infrastructure and environmental damage that resulted from years of
mismanagement under communist rule.
Economic uncertainty in eastern Germany is often cited as one
factor contributing to extremist violence, primarily from the
political right. Confusion about the causes of the current hardships
and a need to place blame has found expression in harassment and
violence by some Germans directed toward foreigners, particularly
non-Europeans. The vast majority of Germans condemn such violence.
